Mindfulness For Introverts

Understanding Social Anxiety With Mindfulness

I would like for you to consider the word introvert for a moment.

When we think of someone who is or who describes themselves as an introvert what qualities come to mind?

Quiet? Shy? Or meek, perhaps?

Perhaps you self-identify as introverted.

Would you be interested to know that social scientists have classified four types of introverts?

I'll briefly define these four below but I'd also remind you that as with all mindful considerations, it's possible to be fluid with these terms, meaning that even if we do not consider ourselves introverted we will recognize some of these qualities in ourselves.

The Social Introvert. This describes the tendency to prefer spending time in smaller groups of people or alone.

The Thinking Introvert. This describes the tendency to spend a lot of time absorbed in your imagination and the inner landscape of your thoughts.

The Anxious Introvert. This person reflects the need to spend time alone because the company of other people prompts feelings of shyness, social awkwardness, or lack of confidence. Alone, one might dwell on past experiences or worry about future ones.

The Inhibited Introvert. This simply means one is more likely to act with restraint than impulse. 

There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to spend time alone, in fact that’s often how we meditate or study. Myself included. And at times we all have or will exhibit these qualities. We are not pigeon holed into one specific category at any given time.

However humans are by nature social animals and by being social is how all of the many wonderful societies we see today came into existence.

However being excessively introverted can impact the balance of your being. Most often missing out on connecting with others. 

Sometimes the reasoning is ‘ I don’t like people’, I have enough friends’ but if someone is honest with themselves most often the more honest reason is something else. And that something else is usually a fear of not being accepted or good enough.

So we must explore this a little more. All fear is a result of living or projecting an outcome that is somewhere in the future. A future that does not exist. Even if it’s based on a previous experience, this current situation is not the one that has already passed

We need to bring ourselves into the present moment.

With mindful breathing and attention, acknowledge your present feelings - I feel nervous. I feel scared. I feel unworthy. It’s OK to identify each and every one.

Then explore each of those feelings you’ve identified and ask why they are there? You may find that in fact, they serve no helpful purpose in being there. At the end of your examination, let them go.  

Depending on how many emotions you’ve identified during your inventory will correspond to how long you’re mindfully examining each and every one. Therefore it’s important to remember this is about your overall personal growth and not necessarily an overnight success. It may take time to unlearn what you’re accustomed to doing and to learn and recognize the positive growth you’re working towards.

I wish you peace and ease,

Vladimir

Blue Lotus Meditation and Mindfulness Center is a registered 501(c)(3) religious organization.