Two years ago, I started seeing articles and books with the word ‘Introvert’. Now, I’ve always known to some extent that I’m an introvert, but I wasn’t always encouraged to develop my natural introvert nature, or to accept my introversion as an unique skill-set. Every introvert likes different things and is an individual – not all introverts like sci-fi and fantasy, or are as obsessive about books as I am, but it is to do with how we process information, and cope with the world around us.
Over the past year, I’ve found some excellent websites, twitter accounts, blogs and books that have educated me and reassured me that being an introvert is a positive thing. It has boosted my happiness to know that there are other people who react and feel the same way as I do about social interaction, the way I process things and what my natural reaction to different situations is. Although putting more labels on people can feel like overburdening ourselves, sometimes those labels are another way towards self discovery and understanding.
Websites and Blogs
Social Introverts Tumblr – there is also a Facebook Page and Twitter account, as well as a Social Introverts Facebook group.
Introvert Spring – run by Michaela Chung. You can find her on Twitter too.
Sophia Dembling – writer of The Introvert’s Corner on Psychology Today.
The Power of Introverts – Susan Cain’s website, with interesting articles both from the author herself and other introverts.
The Introvert Entrepreneur – Beth Buelow’s website and blog.
The Quiet Entrepreneur – a website by Julia Barnickle.
Introvert Retreat – a website celebrating and exploring what it means to be an introvert.
Quietly Fabulous – a website aimed at helping introverts advocate for themselves and be proud of being an introvert.
Brave Introvert – a blog about being an introvert.
Introvert Zone – a website full of articles about introversion.
Space2Live – a blog about introversion, relationships and self-actualisation.
Loner Wolf – not strictly about introversion, but has some excellent thought provoking articles.
Yelling Mime – website under construction, but blog is getting off the ground! Yelling Mime has a great Twitter community.
A Sign of Life – a beautiful blog about introversion, life and everything.
Books
Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength by Laurie Helgoe – more in-depth and philosophical than Quiet, this is one of the first books about introversion. It has excellent advice and explores different facets of being an introvert. Inspiring and informational.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain – the book that swept everyone along the introvert road. Although eye-opening and revealing, not as in-depth as I expected (especially compared to Introvert Power), but nonetheless a brilliant book.
Introvert’s Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World by Sophia Dembling –Â This clever and pithy book challenges introverts to take ownership of their personalities…with quiet strength. Sophia Dembling asserts that the introvert’s lifestyle is not wrong or lacking, as society or extroverts would have us believe (description from Amazon – as of yet haven’t read this book but it’s on my To Be Read list!).
Quiet Influence: The Introvert’s Guide to Making a Difference by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler –Â Introverts can be highly effective influencers when, instead of trying to act like extroverts, they use their natural strengths. This book shows how six specific introvert strengths can be used to influence others, but also warns of the pitfalls that can result if these strengths are used in the wrong way.
Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert by Beth L. Buelow – I’ve just started reading this and it consists of bitesized essays reflecting on introversion. Brilliant nuggets of wisdom that inspire you to appreciate and understand yourself better.
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron – again, I haven’t read this yet. Opinions vary on whether all introverts are HSP – not all introverts are but this is an interesting concept, and I look forward to reading the book.
Journal of a Solitude by May Sarton – this has been on my To Be Read list forever, and is an in-depth, frank look at the power of solitude.
There you have it – do you have any other recommendations or suggestions? Have you read any of the books – what did you think?
Cats and Chocolate 
Introverts get a bad rap……… Thanks for sharing from a fellow introvert!
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No problem, I was searching for a similar resource list a few weeks ago and couldn’t really find one, so thought I might as well do my own 🙂
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And a good one too! I am going to check them out!
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Quite a comprehensive list! Though as an introvert myself, I don’t really enjoy reading about my personality type–I usually find self-reflection foisted on me by an external source to be uncomfortable, even if that source is an article about introversion! Heh. I suppose that just confirms my it, doesn’t it?? I do very much appreciate the good press that quiet folks have been getting recently, though 🙂
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*my introversion!
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Haha, I know what you mean, I enjoy reading things about introversion but yeah, prefer to do my self reflection and soul searching in my own time..! In particular though, I would really recommend Introvert Power – there are some great ideas and reflections in it 🙂
I’ve left out a few books and blogs, I know it’s not an exhaustive list. I’m sure I’ll do a part two one day!
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Thanks for giving me some new material to add to my reading list! I’ve always known that I was introverted, but it wasn’t until this past year that I accepted the notion that introversion can be a wholly positive reality. Another book that I might add to your list is Marti Olsen Laney’s “The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World.” Within the book, Laney is quite successful in not only describing the emotional or logical actions/reactions of introverts, but also in delving into the biological aspects of introversion. I’m a sucker for nonfic books that go at a subject from every possible angle hah. Great post!
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Hey there Liz! I just tuned in randomly…glad I found this, it’s a really resourceful list. I’m going to check out some of the links. If you like, come on over to http://www.thatssojacob.wordpress.com to check me out or give a follow 🙂 thanks!
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Thanks for your like on Benzeknees 5×5! I note from your profile you write about a passion of equality for deaf & deafness. I had a friend I used to work with who was deaf, she was a lip reader. I don’t work with her anymore, so now it’s nice to be able to communicate via FB where we are on a more level playing field (both reading & writing our responses). I was deaf for almost a year when I was 12 due to a botched tonsillectomy as a toddler. I was able to have it corrected surgically & have been thankful for this sense all my life.
I agree with you about how our world should be more equal for people with all kinds of different challenges. I have become walking disabled & I appreciate the work of the people who came before me to make my life easier now.
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Are you participating in the Club Introvert social gathering this week?
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Nope but you got me intrigued so I went over and it sounds great so I might just participate! 🙂
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Going over old messages and blog notifications, and I came across this! I finished reading Quiet in the past couple of weeks and really enjoyed it, at least the first part of it. It’s the first book on introversion I’ve read. My mother is uncomfortable with the term and might not be the only one, but I found the book reassuring and so I didn’t mind.
I found myself wondering how much is true introversion and how much is forced on me by deafness, but as the author says, we all have different issues. Realistically we can’t entangle them — we are who we are.
This is the longest comment I’ve written in years! 🙂
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