Intros and Extros

This is for all you introverts out there. And for you extroverts … I bet you get sick of people too. It might take a lot more peopling to tire you out, but still. I bet it happens.

Last week, I discovered a super neat term called introvert burnout, and honestly, it pretty much sums up how I’ve been feeling the past few months …

Tired.

Irritable.

Extra anxious.

Depressed.

Incessant headaches.

Dreading being around people.

Craving alone time.

Unable to make decisions.

Breaking down after even a little bit of social interaction.

My dear readers, do any of those ring a bell with you? Just a few hours ago, I was so annoyed. Between going to the grocery store yesterday, the pet shop the day before, and having my parents’ friend drop by this morning … I’d had it! Too much peopling for me!

Guys, I was literally reading commentaries about God’s goodness and grace while fuming, utterly enraged at the chatter that was carrying over from the other room. Thank God for His goodness and grace.

And so, after an angry jog around the block, I returned home, grumpily prayed God, help me, and proceeded to go back to work in my now-quiet-since-that-lady’d-left house.

It turns out that His help came in the form of having alone time with Him, studying His Word. Within an hour, I was right as rain, happy-go-lucky and so excited about what the Lord was teaching me (and thus, our teaching segment begins):

You see, introverts aren’t inherently shy and extroverts aren’t always the life of the party. Rather, our Creator has made our brains to be slightly different.

There are two neurochemicals—dopamine and acetylcholine—that come into play here, and they both make us feel pleasure (fun fact: dopamine’s actually nicknamed the feel good chemical).

As it turns out, extroverts have extra dopamine receptors, when compared to introverts, so they require more dopamine to feel its positive affects.

They find external stimulation—talking, movement, adventure-seeking—to be pleasurable, energizing, and fulfilling, hence why they can do a lot more of it. And since acetylcholine is more subtle, they don’t really notice it’s effects.

Us introverts, on the other hand, don’t need as much dopamine.[ With so much internal stimulation going on in our own heads (otherwise known as thinking, thinking, thinking all the time), we find external stimulation to be easily overwhelming.

Therefore, we prefer the more subtle acetylcholine, which helps us feel relaxed, focused, and reflective, allowing us to enjoy that quiet night in.

All this to be said, if you’re an introvert like me, you’re gonna have to make time for alone time (which is basically the ‘cure’ for introvert burnout. If you don’t, you’re eventually gonna wear yourself out and become an overstimulated, easily-irritated zombie (not literally, of course).

And if you’re an extrovert? Well, you can learn something from this blog too …

Regardless of where we fall on the introvert/extrovert spectrum, we are all tasked to care for our bodies, minds, and souls; for we are God’s temple, and He deserves a well-kept home (1 Cor 3:16). Thus, we have to learn about ourselves.

Some famous old guy (by the name of Socrates) said know thyself, and that’s so true.

How are we supposed to live abundant, courageous, Christ-like lives if we can’t join Him in  searching our hearts and reflecting on our beliefs and actions (Jer 17:10)?

In my experience, it’s been empowering to explore the vast, wondrous ways He’s made me, and as an added bonus, this awareness is helping me draw closer to the greatest Fear Fighter of all.

So, friends, ask your Maker—the One Who knows every single part of you and loves you so—to teach you about yourself and help you take note of your daily thoughts and feelings. ‘Cause you are wanting to become more self-aware so you can fight unbelief and grow closer to Him?

Oh yeah, He’ll jump for joy at a prayer like that. And maybe even do a dance. Or maybe, God prefers a quiet night in …