9 Surprising Signs You're Actually An Introvert

Extroverts are more likely to jump into a conversation and share their opinions, but introverts prefer to keep their thoughts to themselves unless someone else has inquired about them. "In a world of instant fame, trolling and everyone having an opinion courtesy social media, introverts are more likely not to share an opinion until asked," says psychologist Anjhula Mya Singh Bais over email.

Most people don't particularly love small talk, but for introverts, small talk can make them feel bored, intimidated, or even exhausted, according to Psych Central. It's not that they're forced to interact with people that makes it so unpleasant, but it's meaningless of the conversation that leaves them feeling like there's a barrier between the person they're talking to, which ends up draining their energy.

When in a social situation, an introvert prefers to be approached rather than to approach others first. They may be interested in socializing, but their energy levels have dipped below a level that they need for a comfortable interaction. "As such, introverts projects this experience onto those that they intend to approach," says Remus Zhong, author of The Introvert Teacher, over email. "They think that the other person may be apprehensive, like they are, about being approached, so they would rather hang back and let the other person make first contact instead."

Everyone needs some time to themselves, but introverts actively seek alone time as it can be more rejuvenating or fulfilling. "The defining characteristic of an introvert is in the way they generate and replenish their energy reserve," says Zhong. "An introvert does so in solitude, with minimal external stimulation."

If you're someone who avoids eye contact, likes to put on you headphones, or buries your head in your phone, you may be an introvert. "Introverts are more likely to want to use ear plugs to drown out all that is around them," says Bais.

Just because you're introverted does't mean you won't go to parties, but once you're there, you prefer to stay close to your good friends."Introverts often appear extroverted or outgoing when they are in situations they are familiar and with people they are comfortable," says Leah Lesesne, MA, CSP over email.

Part of being so reflective involves noticing details that others might not pick up on, and that's because introverts process information differently than extroverts. Research shows that introverts exhibit increased brain activity when processing visual information, which allows them pick up on more details, according to Live Science.

If you prefer text messages to phone calls, or emails to long conversations, you're probably introverted. Introverts are often better at expressing themselves through writing, as there's more time to put together their thoughts, and writing removes the possibility of nerves and hesitation.

If you find that you have a hard time focusing while at a big event, it's not because you don't have discipline — you're just likely an introvert. Because introverts tend to get overwhelmed in situations with a lot of action, they tend to get easily distracted, according to a study from the Journal of Personality and Psychology. Because of this, quieter and more intimate environments are often preferred.