Sometimes, sadness is unexplainable. A person could become unhappy for reasons they can’t explain. At times, life situations can be unbearable, and it becomes inevitable to sink into the pit of sadness. While depression and psychological issues should never be overlooked, there are some other causes of sadness that you can control. Here’s a list of things that can cause you unhappiness, and some simple tricks you can use to subdue them, and put the smile back on your face.
1. You Constantly Worry
We’ve talked about this before worrying doesn’t solve any problems. Instead, it gets you too worked up and disorganized to think of a solution. When you worry a lot, fear and pessimism begin to build up inside you, and you start to think that every step you take will have a negative effect. You need to channel your energy away from worrying, by letting your fears go. Worrying less will allow you to begin to feel happy again, and that’s when your mind will become clear enough to figure out a solution to any problem you may be facing.
2. You Believe Everyone Should Play By YOUR Rules
The world does not revolve around you - and the sooner you realize this, the happier you will be. No one owes you any preferential treatment, and you shouldn’t expect anyone to live by your standards and beliefs. People chase shadows by trying to make everyone align with and live by their ideologies. This always causes frustration, because controlling others is one of the most challenging things to do. To live a happy life, learn to accept others the way they are; appreciate the diversity of human ideas and behaviors, and stop taking people’s actions to heart.
3. You Choose To Be Happy Only When All Of Your Dreams Come True
One mistake people often make is to base their happiness on something they expect to happen to them in the future, rather than enjoying the things they have right now. While having lofty dreams is great, allowing your happiness to be solely dependent on achieving those dreams could cost you the joy of living in the present. Learn to live in the here and now - appreciate the beauty around you today, while working on achieving those amazing goals you’ve lined up for the future.
4. You Are A Glass-Half-Empty Person
A glass-half-empty person is a person who’s more focused on the negative parts of their life, without paying attention to the positive. This kind of person will never know happiness because their pessimism overwhelms every good thing around them. When you shift your focus away from the negative and appreciate the positive things, you will begin to feel much happier.
5. You Don’t Make Time For The Right Things
It’s human nature to lose track of time and get distracted every now and then, but it pays to prioritize and make time for the things that really matter. One really good hack for time management is to make a list of your proposed daily activities. On that list, select the most important things that will give you fulfillment when you achieve them. Eliminate as many of the unimportant things as possible, and focus your time and energy on the things that matter most.
6. You Haven’t Discovered Your Purpose
A lot of people live from day to day without a defined purpose. They wake up every morning and continue the same daily routine, and this makes them feel like they’re not moving ahead in life. It gets even worse when you’re doing a job you don’t like. Fortunately, you can get out of that dark world of unhappiness when you discover your purpose and start working on it. At first, it may seem challenging to move away from your routine and start working toward something new, but you’ll find a lot of joy in doing the things that make you feel fulfilled.
7. You’re Dependent
Although life can seem more comfortable when you depend on other people, it can become an inconvenience when you have to live according to the dictates of those you depend on. Being independent will not only make you much happier, but it will also boost your self-esteem and give you a sense of freedom.
8. You’re Unhealthy
A healthy body leads to a sound and happy mind. Prioritizing your health will make you glow and keep you feeling more refreshed and happier. Eat healthy meals, exercise more often, get good sleep, and have a generally healthy approach to life.
9. You Hold Grudges
It’s been said that holding a grudge is just like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die. Resentment builds up negative energy. So, forgive people who offend you; set your mind free and be happy - because ironically, that person who hurt you may be out having a good time, while you stay riled up in bitterness.
10. You’re A Perfectionist
There are three types of perfectionists: 1) The Self-Perfectionist - who expects to be perfect in all they do 2) The Social Perfectionist - who believes others expect them to be perfect 3) The Other Perfectionist - who expects others to be perfect No matter which category you fall into, perfectionism can be a real happiness buster. People are bound to fall short, so expecting perfection from yourself or others will only cause you disappointment.
11. You are Bored
Boredom is another culprit that causes unhappiness. Technological inventions, ease of modern living, and excessive safety regulations are gradually erasing the place of adventure and the fun it brings. Due to these changing times, many people have a hard time finding ways to have fun. But, there are many ways to overcome boredom! You just have to be a bit more open-minded, and do things that scare you enough to wake you up to the amazing adventures life has to offer.
12 You’re Too Busy
There are many things you can do that take up your time, but don’t take you anywhere. Being too preoccupied with many different things could make you feel like happiness is just out of reach. So instead of just being busy, learn to focus on being effective.
13. You’re Always Just One Step Away
Do you always feel like you’re one step away from getting satisfaction? Do you ever feel like something is missing - and you will only be happy when you get that one thing? Well, this near-success syndrome could be the cause of your unhappiness. The more you continue thinking and feeling this way, the harder it will be for you to find happiness. You need to deal with this monster - because it kills your joy.
14. You Ignore Opportunities
When opportunities come calling, people are often too distracted to recognize and take advantage of them. Sometimes, it can seem like it would take a lot of work and would require getting away from one's comfort zone, so people just choose to let opportunities slide. If you make this a regular habit, you’ll end up feeling frustrated when you look back and realize that you could have gone beyond the point you’re at today - if you had only taken those opportunities. To avoid this frustration, start to grab every opportunity that comes your way now. Take risks, try out new things, and you’ll see that you can achieve so much more than you can imagine.
15. You’re Afraid Of Yourself
Lack of self-confidence is another factor that can cause unhappiness. So many people do not believe in themselves, and this makes it difficult for them to make critical decisions. You need to trust your instincts and believe in yourself. Even when it seems like things aren’t working out as you want them to, you need to continue having faith in yourself - because if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody will believe in you.
16. You Care Too Much About What Others Think
People, in general, are very difficult to please. No matter what you do, others will still criticize you, so what’s the need to try to impress them? Always trying to please everyone will just drain you in the long run. The sooner you stop basing your sense of worth on other people's approval, the sooner you get to live your own life.
17. You Don’t Relax
All work and no fun will put a real damper on your mood. Everyone needs some downtime, and if you aren’t getting enough, you need to place a higher priority on learning to de-stress. Taking time to rest and rejuvenate will dramatically improve your mood, mental health, and overall wellbeing.
18. You’re Impatient
Waiting can be very difficult - but every so often, it’s something you have to do. Learn to be patient and remain positive - instead of always rushing off and looking for a shortcut - which may end up causing a negative result. Relax, and maintain an optimistic outlook while dealing with delays.
19. You Play The Victim Card
Many people love to play the victim card, seek validation, and thrive on other people’s pity. This is a very wrong way of living. Playing the victim card will never bring happiness. Learn to take responsibility for your life, actions, and problems - instead of shifting the blame to someone else.
20. You Don’t Think You Deserve Happiness
Some life situations make people develop a mentality that makes them believe they don’t deserve happiness. This could be due to the guilt they feel for a mistake they made in the past. If you’re in such a situation, you need to set yourself free from that mindset.
Conclusion
Everyone deserves to be happy, and your happiness will only come when you forgive yourself, and let go of the past. Take a moment to think about these points. Is there anything you’re holding onto that is causing you unhappiness? Do some soul-searching, and find out what’s stopping you from fully enjoying your life. Then, take action to let those things go, and make the necessary changes that will allow you to feel truly satisfied and fulfilled. Remember, happiness is a choice; so choose to be happy! What do you think? Share your thoughts and comments below! And do join emailing list and get articles like this straight in your inbox. Stay informed @Information You Need to Know.
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For many of us, getting up in the morning is a hassle. We often start our days on autopilot and go through our daily routines, forgetting about our well-being. There are certain morning habits that can ruin your mood, zap your energy, and set the stage for an unproductive rest of the day. I have checked out what scientists and other experts had to say about making the most (and the least) of the first 60 minutes after you wake up. In this article, I've rounded up 12 common wake-up mistakes that you'll want to avoid!
1. Hitting The Snooze Button
Sometimes, your alarm goes off and you’re just not ready to face the day yet. Most sleep specialists believe that you should resist the temptation to put off the inevitable by 5 or 10 minutes. The reason for this is quite simple. If you hit the snooze button, you might enter into a sleep cycle you likely won't finish. As a result, you'll wake up groggy, rather than refreshed. The second reason is more about motivation: When you hit snooze, you’re telling your hopes and dreams that they can wait. Successful people don’t do this. The best thing for an alert day is to avoid the temptation completely. Instead, opt for going to bed a little earlier the night before, to get sufficient rest - you'll rise with ease and won’t need to hit snooze.
2. Checking Your Phone
Most of us sleep with our phones just within reach - either under our pillows or on the bedside table. But wellness and work-life balance experts recommend that if you like to start your day right, you should try your best not to look at your phone until after you’ve had some time to wake up and collect yourself. Whether it’s checking e-mails, text messages, or even your social media accounts, you should make it a habit not to grasp your cellphone right after you open your eyes - because doing so can send you into “panic mode,” before your day has even begun. So do yourself a favor and stop checking. Your inbox and social media accounts can surely wait a couple of hours.
3. Remaining Curled Up
During sleep, your spinal discs absorb fluid as part of a natural rehydration process. This causes the discs to expand, which is why you can actually be a few centimeters taller in the morning. However, this natural process also limits the movement of the vertebrae and causes the spine to stiffen. So instead of staying all curled up, GENTLY stretch while you're still in bed. Stretching out not only gets the spine and muscles limbered up, but it is also a way to build confidence as you begin your day. According to research, people who wake up with their arms in a V-shape "are super happy, like annoyingly happy." On the other hand, there is evidence that people who wake up in the fetal position "wake up much more stressed out." In fact, there is evidence that stretching first thing, helps to increase flexibility, improve circulation, and relieve tension. So remember to stretch!
4. Forgetting To Hydrate
Upon waking up, your body is in need of hydration. After all, assuming you had a good night of sleep, you've gone for seven to eight hours without water. Drinking water not only helps you wake up, but it can also get your metabolism moving in the right direction. If you don't like plain water, you can add some lemon or lime, which also helps to flush out the liver. Drinking water first thing in the morning can also help with constipation, prevent UTIs, help with weight loss, boost your immune system, battle bad breath, and strengthen the brain, among other things. Experts suggest drinking water at room temperature though because cold water can shock your system and prevent the many health benefits from taking effect. So start your day with a large glass of water. It's one of the best things you can do for your body!
5. Drinking Coffee First Thing
If you think you can't function until you've downed a cup of coffee, think again! Scientists have found that your body naturally produces higher amounts of the energy regulating stress hormone cortisol, between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. By drinking coffee before or during that time, the caffeine will force your body to produce less cortisol in the early morning. So enjoy that warm lemon water instead, and wait until after 9:30 to pour that perfect cup of coffee.
6. Leaving Your Bed Unmade
It seems that people fall into one of two groups: the bed makers and the unkempt bed keepers. I mean, who's going to notice if you don't make your bed, right? Besides, you're just going to get back in your bed in a few hours and mess it up again. Regardless of whether folks pull up the covers or leave them in a heap, they are convinced that THEIR WAY is the right way.
Some people suggest that it might actually be cleaner to keep the bed messy because an unmade bed is less hospitable to dust mites. But most experts disagree, since dust mites are everywhere, so an unmade bed isn’t going to do much to fend them off. Instead, they suggest washing the sheets every other week and vacuuming the mattress regularly. In addition, forming good habits - including making your bed in the morning, is associated with increased productivity throughout the rest of the day. In fact, making your bed is a keystone habit that can spark chain reactions that help other good habits take hold. So, if you haven’t already made it a priority, making your bed in the morning is a really good habit to start.
7. Getting Ready In The Dark
This has nothing to do with making bad fashion choices… Our bodies' internal clocks are so sensitive to light, that getting ready in the dark can send a signal to your body that it's still nighttime. This will keep you feeling groggy and out of it, rather than alert, energized, and in a really good mood. Continually getting ready in the dark may even make you feel depressed. So if you're up before the sun, make sure you turn those lights on!
8. Skipping Exercise
We all know how important exercise is for our health and well-being, but many experts say making exercise a part of your morning routine is particularly beneficial. There are added benefits to working out in the morning rather than later in the day. In addition, morning exercisers tend to stick with their exercise habit. By working out in the morning, you get your exercise in before other distractions can intrude – and that’s something we can all relate to because once the day gets going, it's hard to get off the treadmill called life.
9. Brushing After Breakfast
Common sense would dictate that brushing your teeth after eating breakfast is the right thing to do because you generally clean off all the stuff and gunk from your meal. But this is actually counter-intuitive: brushing your teeth right after eating can actually do a lot more harm than good - especially if you’ve downed acidic stuff like fruit or coffee. Likewise, the bacteria in your mouth produce acid when you eat, and this weakens the enamel of your teeth. If you brush your teeth while they’re in this ‘weakened state’, you can actually brush away enamel from the surface of your teeth. So brush your teeth after you rise, but before you eat. Then afterward, you can floss your teeth and rinse with water to make your mouth feel cleaner, and wash away any food particles. And if you really can’t stand to skip brushing after breakfast, hold off for half an hour after you eat.
10. Steaming Up Your Shower
The pulse of hot water feels great on your body, but it might be lulling you back into la-la land. Heat tells your nervous system that it’s time for your muscles to relax, and for your heart rate to slow down. As a result, you start to feel calm - and sleepy! If you want to feel more awake, take a quick cold shower. It sucks a little bit, yes. But it will signal the release of the energizing hormone adrenaline. It will also boost your mood. Research shows that cold showers can flood the body with feel-good endorphins.
11. Calling Anyone
Newsflash: nobody wants to talk to other people first thing in the morning! Almost everybody needs a few hours to get their head around the day, and phone calls before 9:30AM just aren't appropriate. If you need to talk to somebody, just send them a text first, detailing the context. Ask them to call you when they're ready - it's just the polite thing to do.
12. Watching TV
If your instinct is to reach right for that remote, you might want to think again, especially if you like to tune in to the news in the morning. It’s just noise and negativity - not a healthy way to start the day after a restful night’s sleep. Instead, aim to have quiet time in the morning and maintain a sense of peace and calm for as long as possible before the day begins. If you ever feel like you don’t get enough done throughout the day, perhaps you’re doing some things you should not be doing in the morning. Sometimes, these habits are inevitable, and some of these suggestions may seem really challenging. But, if you can keep your mornings more calm and restful, experts say you'll feel better throughout the day. Of course, not every morning is going to be perfect, but if you make some effort to avoid these morning mistakes, you might find that the remainder of the day turns out a lot better than you expected. How do you start your day? Are you guilty of any of the things mentioned on this list? Let me know in the comments below. Stay Informed @Information You Need to Know. Worth Reading Articles: * Why some people move on easily after a relationship ends?
Every successful person says that, follow your passion, and you going to become successful. It sounds like good advice, but for most of us, it's not practical at all, because you have no idea whats your passion, so there is no way you can follow it. But in reality, figuring out your passion isn’t really that difficult. In fact, you are going to feel it whenever you practice it.
It's just like a job that you enjoy doing. The Internet is filled with videos and articles about it but I didn't find anything really practical, So I promise that this article is going to be different, by the end of this article, you will have a clear step by step guide on how to find out your passion. But you must be absolutely honest with yourself, otherwise it's not going to work out! So are you ready for a completely honest conversation with yourself? If you yes, then let's start with the first step. Let's start with a blank page. Grab a pen and a piece of paper or grab your laptop and start typing.
Your job is to write down everything you enjoy doing. I would say list everything that comes into your mind. Don't hesitate if its a game you like to play or something that doesn’t necessarily generate income. Write it down as long as you enjoy doing it, be it watching TV, listening to music, or simply reading books. Make sure you don't miss anything. As soon as you realize that there is nothing else you can add, skim through everything you have written and try to look at them from different aspects of life. For example, what exactly do I enjoy doing at work? what do I enjoy doing back when I am at home? and so on. So far it has been easy, but now we are going to do something a little more difficult. The next step is to Figure out the essence of what you enjoy doing. Most activities carry a certain purpose that connects them together. For example, I remember a friend of mine used to enjoy giving presentations, helping others with their assignments, sharing with others what he is passionate about, and so on. If you take a deep look at all of these activities, you will realize that they are all connected to each other and they all serve a single purpose - teaching others!
So in this case “teaching” is the keyword. and your job now is to figure out what is that one activity that connects everything that you enjoy doing! The following list is going to be much shorter but much more informative. Think about, how can you practice this activity in such a way that you don't only get the pleasure out of it but also a financial benefit. For example, you have come to the conclusion that you enjoy watching movies, you love talking about them and discussing them with friends. At first glance, it seems impossible to turn that into a source of income, but if you give it a thought, there are an unlimited number of ways you can monetize it. You can set up a YouTube channel or a blog like this one where you review every movie. I always look upon the internet as what movie to watch next and there are millions like me out there. We are all your potential viewers. Everything that you discuss with your friends can be turned into articles for the blog.
And now put everything aside and write down, What exactly excites you?! Ask yourself this question. If I could choose what to do for the rest of my life, what would it be? what's the first thing that comes into your mind when you think about that? In order to answer this question, you have to be absolutely honest with yourself. It seems like a difficult question but its actually simple. The difficult part is to clear up your mind from all unnecessary thoughts. Once you find out the answer to this question, you will be surprised that you always knew it but it was in the back of your mind. In case if there is nothing that excites you, there is no point for you to read the rest of the article because you are either not completely honest with yourself or you haven’t really thought about it! And now remember the time when you felt that excitement? Try to remember it exactly as if you are going back in time to that moment. It's extremely important for two reasons. First of all, you are testing yourself if that's actually what excites you the most. Secondly, it's necessary to define it in order to understand the nature of what excites you.
Connect what you enjoy doing with what excites you! If you take a deep look into the list of what you enjoy doing and the list of what excites you, you will realize that they are interconnected. let's go back to the example of my classmate, he pointed out that he enjoys teaching people and whatever related to that. When we found out what really excites him, is an adventure, discovering or learning something new and interesting. To be more precise, he enjoys filling his curiosity. In this case, the connection is clear. He enjoys filling his curiosity and then sharing it with people. This is the kind of connection you have to find out.
That's what passion is! Now, turn your passion into a job. My classmate, for example, could become a consultant, business analyst or project manager. These professions constantly require you to study different topics and share them with others. That's how you find what you are passionate about. Remember, its a job that you both enjoy doing and Inspires you. And now it's your turn, figure out your passion and let me know in the comments below. Worth Reading Articles: * 17 Common Dream Meanings You Should Never Ignore
Do you ever wonder why some people can achieve success, while others just can't seem to get ahead? Is it a matter of luck? Or intelligence? Actually, there's more to it than that - and it has to do with habits! And not just the positive habits you need to practice, but also the negative ones that you have to break. Let's find out which bad habits great achievers have given up to succeed!
1. Negative Thinking
Your brain is like a garden; your thoughts are like seeds. Whatever you plant there will take root and blossom - be it positive or negative. Therefore, negative thinking is the first habit you need to break if you want to become successful! You see, negativity does nothing but hold you back and hinder your success. It's a slippery slope, and once you've started to slide, it's hard to stop and turn yourself around. Feelings of doubt and frustration follow these thoughts, and they can even lead to depression. So, learn to become aware of the triggers that lead you into pessimism. Once you recognize your triggers, you can stop the negative thoughts before they even have time to take root.
2. Envying Those Who Have What You Want
The way you think and speak about those who have achieved the success you want can either enable you or hinder you from getting it yourself! Putting them down, or picking apart their flaws because you envy what they have, leads to associating that kind of success with negative attributes, or even with being disliked because of it. This envy ultimately sets you up for failure. Negatively judging these people only constricts you more and is an effective way to self-sabotage. Instead of envying others, start admiring their achievements! It will motivate you even more to work toward your goals.
3. Squandering Time
There has been a lot of advancements in the last hundred years, and technology, in particular, proves to be a tremendous resource. It can provide access to all kinds of information and can help people stay connected - texts, emails, and social media are all great examples of this. Unfortunately, they can also be extremely distracting. Every successful person out there knows that time management is an integral part of success, and spending hours scrolling through Instagram or Facebook isn't a really good use for your time. Stop wasting so much time and energy on these distractions, and start doing more of the things that will help you move you toward success.
4. Blaming, Complaining And Making Excuses
Blaming, complaining, and making excuses won't change anything or do anything for you - it's much better to focus on a solution. Learn to take full responsibility for things that happen in your life. Yes, sometimes things may not be a direct effect of something you've done, but any involvement means you could be a part of the cause. When you blame others or circumstances for your conditions, what you are doing is simply resisting reality. While letting go of the tendency to blame and complain is not easy, taking ownership of your problems will ultimately allow you to gain more control over your life.
5. Postponing Your Personal Health
When it comes to health, sadly, it's not too high on most people's priority lists. You know the excuses: "I'll start exercising next week." "I'll start eating better tomorrow." "I'll catch up on my sleep once this project is complete." This is a problem because when we keep putting things off, it eventually develops into a bad habit. The more you procrastinate, the deeper the habit is embedded in you, and you become okay with postponing things you know you need to do. Whatever your goal is and however you define success, one thing is for sure: a healthy body and mind is essential for leading a truly successful life. Start taking charge of your health - today!
6. Thinking You Already Know The Answer
Many people fail because they aren't aware of their limitations. They're overconfident and believe they have it all figured out - which leads them down a path of mistakes and backtracking. A know-it-all attitude is a common cause of failure - don't let arrogance stand in the way of your success! Thinking you've always got the right answer, makes you feel that you don't need to ask questions. All this will do is make things harder and more dangerous for you - limiting your capabilities in the long run. Try to talk less and keeping your ears open more.
7. Being Reactive Instead Of Proactive
You can't plan your day around what's coming at you - there will always be something more to do or unexpected things to deal with. You can't become short-sighted because of the challenges thrown at you throughout the day. Instead of reacting, weigh your options carefully and consider the best course of action. There will always be some unexpected obstacles, and you'll just have to deal with them. You need to make conscious decisions about what you are doing - rather than moving from one thing to the next. Let your goals for the day set the pace for your actions. Take care of everything else as best you can, just remember to stay mindful of your purpose and be thoughtful about how you proceed.
8. Overspending And Under Saving
Being responsible with money is something everyone needs to master - regardless of whether it's personal finances or that of a company. Spending money you don't have, or making financial decisions based on money not yet in the bank is a habit you need to break because not being able to budget can really hinder you later on. Over-spending, under-saving, and generally making poor financial decisions sets you up for a life of anxiety. Living paycheck to paycheck - the need to make money just to survive - will overpower the need to achieve your goals. Financial well-being is important - it gives you the ability to take advantage of opportunities and provides you with a sense of security.
9. Forgetting The Long-Term Vision
Thinking only about tomorrow will lead you to work just to survive the next day, instead of thinking about the future. And that is a sure-fire way to burnout. Getting closer to your long-term goals requires a long-term vision. It gives you more perspective, allowing you to look toward the future and envision what you want and what you need to do to get there. Thinking strategically about what actions and sacrifices you need to make now will lead to success and prosperity in the future. Without a long-term vision, you will be stuck in the same place for the rest of your life.
10. Trying To Do Everything Yourself
Taking responsibility for your actions is one thing, but no one is meant to take on every role, job, and accountability in their lives. Successful people don't overburden themselves. They know how to streamline the process by distributing the work to the people around them, and to hire experts. In other words, you have to learn how to delegate. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, and refusing it doesn't make you stronger - it only wastes your energy and weakens your potential.
11. Staying Too Loyal
While loyalty is a very admirable trait and an important part of working with others, it should never overpower your ability to use logic and reason. For example, continuing to work with people who are negative or unproductive - merely out of a sense of loyalty – can be extremely detrimental. Of course, giving people time and guidance is an integral part of the collaboration, but if they aren't cut out for the job, you have to let them go. Loyalty shouldn't supersede reality.
12. Not Clearing Your Mind
Stress tends to add up over time, and if you're not careful, it can start to weigh on you. Not taking care of your mental health is bound to catch up with you. Humans aren't made to work 24/7 - we are not machines. And besides, even machines need maintenance! You need to find a way to take an hour here, or an evening there, to just relax and unwind. It can be as simple as going for a short walk to clear your head. Stepping away will not only improve focus and productivity but it will give you a better perspective on whatever obstacle or problem you are facing.
13. Letting Your Mistakes Get In The Way Of Your Future Wins
You shouldn't let past mistakes and failures dictate how you deal with current situations. You should certainly reflect on your mistakes and learn from them - but don't let your fear of failure make you shy away from opportunities you have now, just because you failed the last time. Let go of your past and grab hold of your future. The first step on the path to achieving your goals is to believe in yourself and to believe that you can indeed have success.
14. Waiting For Your Circumstances To Change Before You Do
It can be tempting to think that once you have achieved that next thing, or established a new relationship, or got some degree of success, your life will change, and you will feel better. This is 'destination addiction' - don't be pulled into it. The only way to achieve real change is from within - life unfolds from the inside out. Your circumstances will change when YOU do, not the other way around. Success doesn't just happen by accident; if you want it bad enough, work hard, and break the negative habits that hinder you, you WILL get it. So, live up to your highest potential and make daily decisions and improvements that will help you succeed. What do you think? Are any of these bad habits getting in the way of YOUR success? Which ones do you need to work on the most? Let me know in the comments below!
When you hear about introversion, does it feel like it's describing you? The parts about liking to spend time alone, not being too keen on shallow small talk, and feeling drained after spending too much time with other people, are all very true for you. But then, some other aspects of introversion don't apply to you at all! Maybe you have a large circle of friends, and you genuinely enjoy socializing. And while you prefer meaningful conversation, you're actually good at having a light chat with others. Do you find this confusing, and are you starting to wonder if you really are an introvert?! If so, then keep watching! Here are some clues that you may just be an extroverted introvert.
1. You Find People Interesting
As an introvert, you love to people watch. But you also like to meet new people - even if it is a little scary. You enjoy asking them about their lives to try and get to know them better. This doesn't mean you want to do this all the time, though. Despite your interest in people, you still prefer only small amounts of socializing at a time.
2. You Reach Out To Others
More often than not, you're the one who organizes social events for others - since being stuck at a party is a big fear of yours. You know that you'll want to escape once your limit for socialization has been reached. And this makes being the host, the ideal job for you as an extroverted introvert. This way, you can spend time with people on your own terms, while still being able to duck out easily if you need to.
3. You Enjoy Being Around Others
Even Larger Groups Most introverts prefer alone time or spending time with just a few close friends. But you aren't opposed to social gatherings and talking to strangers. However, unlike most extroverts, you can only handle this for so long. And once you've reached your limit, you'll feel depleted. This doesn't mean you're having a bad time; your batteries just run out.
4. You Need Time Between Social Events
Extroverts are usually able to socialize daily - all week long - and even feel energized by all the activity. Parties and group outings excite them. As an extroverted introvert, you may like the idea of a party-filled lifestyle, but the reality of it would leave you wishing to be anywhere else. You need time in between these events to recover. Maybe you can handle one or two group events in a month without draining yourself - but any more than that would be disastrous. Some extroverted introverts might try to push themselves to keep up with everyone else, but it'll only lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and even irritability.
5. You Often Change Your Mind Last Minute
You can plan and look forward to an event for weeks, but on the much-anticipated day, you can suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to just stay home. Even thinking about getting ready to go out makes you feel anxious - despite how much you were looking forward to it. It can be hard to explain the sudden change of heart to your extroverted friends. But you're just not sure whether you'll be able to endure the stimulation.
6. You Make Connections, But They Don’t Always Last
You meet people you like while socializing, and you intend to stay in touch. But once you return to your daily life, you don't try and make an effort to do so. It's not that you're rude or trying to break the promise intentionally, but you know how much time and effort it will take to build the kind of deep relationship you want. Anything superficial isn't attractive to you - so you tend to just reach out to your already established friends. Of course, there can be exceptions to this when you connect with someone on a deeper level right away. You'll want to really engage with them - and this kind of meaningful conversation encourages you to put in the effort to keep building on the connection.
7. You Find Certain Social Settings Better Than Others
A get-together at someone's house is fine, but an event somewhere ‘noisy and crowded’ is a whole different ball game. Sometimes, the energy of the group can raise yours, and other times it can really exhaust you. There are group events you try to avoid as much as possible because of how much they drain you. It might take a few tries and negative experiences to figure out the social settings you can tolerate and those you can't.
8. To Avoid Talking, You Ask A Lot Of Questions
You might be seen as a great conversationalist because of how sincerely curious you are about others. You're genuinely interested in people, and you know that by asking questions, you're inviting the other person to speak - which means you don't have to. You're better at just listening. This way, you’re able to determine whether or not the person you're talking to has the potential for a meaningful connection based on their responses.
9. You Find Group Settings Where You Can Be Alone
Sometimes, you want to be around others, but you don't necessarily want to interact with them. Being surrounded by their energy is enough, and you don't feel the need to talk. You enjoy going to public places where there are a good number of people around - while you can remain anonymous and somewhat secluded. This curbs your loneliness without having to prepare for a social situation.
10. You're In Your Head - Even When Out With Others
Part of the reason socializing causes so much exhaustion is because you're trying to be engaged with the outside world, and at the same time, your own mind. Being an introvert means you spend most of your time in your own head - over-analyzing situations and just generally residing in your own thoughts. Balancing your attention between your brain and the outside world requires a lot of energy, and it can make you feel like an outsider - like an observer, rather than an active participant.
11. You Are Very Particular When It Comes To Friends
You might be comfortable socializing with many different people, but your true inner circle of friends is small and limited to meticulously picked individuals. There are only a few people with whom you truly feel connected to - but that isn't something that bothers you. Having only a few close friends only makes your relationships deeper and more cherished. Putting your energy into a few close friends is better for you than trying to connect with as many people as possible and spreading yourself thin.
12. You Prefer Text Or Email But Can Talk On The Phone For Hours
For you, it takes a lot of energy to try and have a cohesive conversation over the phone. You'd much rather just send an email or quick text than converse with someone you can't see. When there's no choice other than to call them, you desperately hope they won't pick up so you can just leave a voicemail. On the flip side, you can spend hours talking to your best friend when you crave human interaction, or when you have something profound or exciting to discuss.
13. You Favor Deep And Meaningful Conversations
Every conversation is different, which means the energy it takes to be a part of one, can fluctuate wildly. Not all conversations will wear you out. It may even energize you to have a long chat about ideas you're invested in, or talking about in-depth topics with someone equally interested. But making small talk with someone you don't really know, is on the opposite end of the spectrum! You can manage to talk about mundane things for a few minutes, but if the conversation doesn't move on to something more interesting, you start to lose steam.
14. You Don't Mind Being In The Spotlight Once In A While
If you're an extroverted introvert, getting extra attention isn't always a bad thing. You may even enjoy getting attention for something you're passionate about. Maybe it's getting a little extra praise for a job well done, or recognition for some important work you accomplished. You know that not all attention is bad, but a little will go a long way.
15. Others Often Think You're An Extrovert
People who don't know you well may confuse you for an extrovert. You have enough social skills that you can handle yourself, and you work hard to make sure everyone around is comfortable. The leadership skills you've developed, make you seem very confident in social situations. Behind closed doors, however, you might be incredibly overwhelmed - something your close friends who've known you for a while are aware of. If you're an extroverted introvert, it's smart to have someone close by who knows you well, so they can recognize when it's time for you to go.
Conclusion.
Even with all of these signs, you must keep in mind that there's no right or wrong way to experience introversion. We all act introverted sometimes, and extroverted at others. You can be an introvert while having an outgoing personality. It's all about understanding what you need to be able to function in your daily life, and doing whatever makes you feel comfortable - whether that's being the life of the party one day, or curling up in your bed with a good book the next! So, are you an extroverted introvert? If so, what is the best or worst part about it? Share your thoughts and comments below!
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