Well, as I’ve thought about it, I’ve decided there’s really two types of extroverts (these are my own distinctions – maybe someone better trained in psychology can point me toward some actual writing on the idea). There are Classic Extroverts and there are “Passive” Extroverts. I’d describe Classic Extroverts as those people who get their energy from interacting with other people. A Classic Extrovert, when depressed or upset, will search out friends or a party and find that rejuvenating (whereas a strong introvert would tend to find the party draining rather than life-giving.) I’ve decided that I’m not that kind of extrovert. I’m a “Passive” Extrovert. Passive Extroverts find people and crowds energizing and life-giving, but they get their energy from the crowd, not from actually interacting with people in it.

Several weeks ago, I ran the Riverbank 5k. A Classic Extrovert, running the 5k alone, would have started a conversation with someone prior to the run and found it encouraging and energizing. I, on the other hand, merely had to be in the midst of the hundreds of people. I didn’t need to talk with anyone or personally interact with them… I just needed to be among them.

Similarly, if I find myself a bit depressed or frustrated or overwhelmed I don’t call up friends or go to a party, I plop myself down in the midst of a coffee shop with a lot of people around me. The Extrovert part of me needs to be around people, but the “Passive” part doesn’t actually want to interact with them.

Why blog on it?

Well, maybe it’ll help some of you better understand the unusual Extroverts in your life who don’t fit into the “Classic” category… or maybe it’ll help you better understand yourself.

Grace and Peace,
`tim