Opinion- Introvert, extrovert, or just restless?
I was interested in finding out his real motives behind these adventures. Is he simply an introvert who loves outdoor challenges or did he want to impress his social media followers
Published: 05:11 PM,Nov 02,2024 | EDITED : 05:11 PM,Nov 06,2024
I have recently come across a podcast called ‘What It Means to Be a Nomad,’ where a traveller in his late twenties was sharing his unique experiences of being constantly on the move, discovering new worlds and cultures, and living new experiences.
He talked about the freedom and continuous learning it offers and the challenges faced in balancing personal and professional life. He spoke about the year he spent in Mexico during Covid-19 visiting small villages meeting the locals and living their simple lives. He then travelled to Ethiopia and found himself caught in a civil war spending days in a dirty house with lots of bed bugs and limited access to food and clean water which led him to go days without showering.
His family was extremely worried about him. Luckily, he was able to call his embassy, and a group of locals were able to rescue him so he could fly out of Ethiopia.
As I listened to him, I was thinking how impulsive and careless he was hitchhiking in a foreign land sleeping in strangers' homes, and subjecting himself to the risk of being mugged or kidnapped, and for what? I was interested in finding out the possible motives behind these adventures. Was he simply an introvert who loves outdoor challenges or did he want to impress his social media followers or is he advertising his travel agency business?
The terms introverts and extroverts describe types of personalities based on preferences.
Introverts prefer to be in a quiet environment spending time in their own space contemplating their thoughts and feelings. They prefer solitary activities such as reading, creating, writing, and engaging in activities alone.
Introverts usually feel drained from too many social activities, so they need solitary engagement to ‘recharge’ their social battery. While extroverts enjoy being surrounded by people, interacting with the outside world, and sharing their thoughts and feelings with others. They love being around people, creating conversation, and participating in many group activities. Such personality traits are not limited to what people choose as hobbies but can influence the type of job they do and their chances of being more or less successful in that particular job.
I was discussing the podcast with a friend who pointed out that people who love adventures are not necessarily reckless or impulsive. I could see his point of view but that did not change my impression of the traveller in the podcast being impulsive and reckless especially when his choices place others in danger to save him.
In my experience, many individuals present themselves on a spectrum of introversion and extroversion.
I find that learning more about your personality traits can help you understand yourself and how to engage in the world. It is important to help others understand your need to withdraw or to socialise and to seek professional help when some traits become problematic in your day-to-day living, especially during periods of stress. Seeking therapy allows you a safe space to process growth and implement an authentic space for self-reflection.
He talked about the freedom and continuous learning it offers and the challenges faced in balancing personal and professional life. He spoke about the year he spent in Mexico during Covid-19 visiting small villages meeting the locals and living their simple lives. He then travelled to Ethiopia and found himself caught in a civil war spending days in a dirty house with lots of bed bugs and limited access to food and clean water which led him to go days without showering.
His family was extremely worried about him. Luckily, he was able to call his embassy, and a group of locals were able to rescue him so he could fly out of Ethiopia.
As I listened to him, I was thinking how impulsive and careless he was hitchhiking in a foreign land sleeping in strangers' homes, and subjecting himself to the risk of being mugged or kidnapped, and for what? I was interested in finding out the possible motives behind these adventures. Was he simply an introvert who loves outdoor challenges or did he want to impress his social media followers or is he advertising his travel agency business?
The terms introverts and extroverts describe types of personalities based on preferences.
Introverts prefer to be in a quiet environment spending time in their own space contemplating their thoughts and feelings. They prefer solitary activities such as reading, creating, writing, and engaging in activities alone.
Introverts usually feel drained from too many social activities, so they need solitary engagement to ‘recharge’ their social battery. While extroverts enjoy being surrounded by people, interacting with the outside world, and sharing their thoughts and feelings with others. They love being around people, creating conversation, and participating in many group activities. Such personality traits are not limited to what people choose as hobbies but can influence the type of job they do and their chances of being more or less successful in that particular job.
I was discussing the podcast with a friend who pointed out that people who love adventures are not necessarily reckless or impulsive. I could see his point of view but that did not change my impression of the traveller in the podcast being impulsive and reckless especially when his choices place others in danger to save him.
In my experience, many individuals present themselves on a spectrum of introversion and extroversion.
I find that learning more about your personality traits can help you understand yourself and how to engage in the world. It is important to help others understand your need to withdraw or to socialise and to seek professional help when some traits become problematic in your day-to-day living, especially during periods of stress. Seeking therapy allows you a safe space to process growth and implement an authentic space for self-reflection.