The Thoughts of an Introvert

Right off the bat many would think something like don’t they only have thoughts? Isn’t that why they are an introvert? Well even though we know what they mean it’s not really like that. Before we dive into their kingdom of thoughts let’s define it. According to me introvert who is connoted with respect to a personality is a kind of person is someone who draws their energy from within. The other counterpart which is extrovert is the opposite of introvert. These concepts more or less lay the foundation of personality theories which were heavily popularised by Carl Jung.

Coming to the common misbelieve, which was loosely addressed in the start. Do introverts think a lot? Is that what defines them? If we refer REBT which is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy, their theory works from a thinking, feeling and behaviour model type. By using the route of thinking we get about a change in modality in a way we function. A lot of theories function from these 3 important variables. So what I’m trying to say is that all 3 are interconnected and interrelated. And sure yes there are studies which suggest that introverts overthink because of high level of electric activity of the brain. This means that they may process more information that an extrovert. And what amazes me is that even while an introvert mind is at rest it does the same activity. But if we ponder on this it infact makes more sense. An idle mind is the devils workshop, a well known proverb which easily feeds an introvert which get them all riled up in the world of overthinking.

So after establishing certain things about an introvert and what happens with them, one might think okay so what are they really like and what are the kinds of thoughts which pop into their brain? Let’s evaluate! Thoughts function in bulk. We have approximately 6,200 thoughts a day according to some studies! Being an introvert myself we rarely have conscious occasions where we think about “I have a thought about this or something like this.” This thought is more or less an opinion we have on something or an idea or an angle of a given specific situation. But thoughts in it’s true essence is unconscious and unstoppable. They define our actions and how we feel. But now imagine the thoughts feel for you and thoughts behave for you. Now that’s quite a load right? This is what something happens with an introvert. They think about our feelings, feelings of other and the entire universe. They think about acting out in a particular way at a particular time. The mental chatter and self talk goes over the roof. And this takes up and drains up quite a lot of energy. In the concept of Karmayoga (the yoga of action) which is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, action is not just outward but also inward. Infact only thinking forms the major part of decision making or the critical moment when it comes to actions. Let me give you an example, when one goes to a restaurant ordering food for some is quite a mental nuisance when it comes to what to order but once the food is ordered then thinking takes a back seat and we eat peacefully. When the food is on the table we don’t put on our thinking cap again. The Bhagavadgita has spoken immensely about how a doer just does. He or she will be the first person to get up and the last person to sleep. That person will do the most amount of work during the day and be helpful to others in every way. How does this happen?  A Karmayogi does not think much, he just does. It’s not like they give up thinking. But when you know your duties and when you define your being and it’s relationship with everyone all one needs is to do right? But it isn’t as easy as it sounds. It consists of deconstructing your learned beliefs, habits and or your personality. This reminds me of quote by the legend Charlie Chaplin. He once said “We think too much and feel too little.”

Let’s come back to the thinking-feeling- behaving model. My recent love and interest has been towards anthroposophy which is a spiritual science. This therapy which is more like a philosophy has been adopted by eastern philosophies and astrology and mystical like concepts which are fused with western studies and psychology. Their opinion on thinking is that someone who thinks a lot gets very stiff. Their nerve sense system get very active and problems arise when they think from the other realms of life. This is usually the case with an introvert. Their tendency is to become distant from others and this takes a toll when it comes to relationships with self and others. Their thoughts don’t come out when it should and they appear when they are in front of the mirror talking to their self, urging to do or behave in a certain way. Their thoughts on their feelings come up when they are taking a bath and they give themselves a small hit of dopamine when they win that argument in their mind where they truly express their emotions. I am sure we all resonate with this on some level.

One may or may not relate entirely to the things I’ve just mentioned. But the idea is clear that our thoughts define us, especially an introvert. Being one is not bad and that’s why I haven’t attempted not to compare them to extroverts. But what one might need to do can be simple. Having clear and defined relationship dynamic with others where both understand each other. Normalising personal space and aloofness, this from a very strong personal opinion should be applicable in every setting. And lastly an healthy emotional outlet or way of expression of emotions. To end on a strong note thoughts do matter and to quote Swami Vivekananda, “We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care about what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far.”