Introvert, Extrovert, Both?

As I sit here watching the branches on the trees wave vigorously back and forth, listening to the leaves quiver in terror, I contemplate what to write. Is it really worth writing? Will anyone ever read my ramblings, my insights to the world? My hope is that you have a smile on your face just because of a musing I shared.

Since this writing seems to be a little introspective I will share with

you something I learned just the other week. Being this is the month for many graduations, some weddings, summer fun activities with hoards of people around. (In my younger years I wouldn't have used the word hoards, I loved crowds). Going to summer concerts, singing (yelling) to the music in excitement, as close to the stage as I could get. Anyone who has been to a concert knows that right there near the stage is where ALL the people are going to be. It is not elbow to elbow, or shoulder to shoulder, it is overlapped shoulder to overlapped shoulder. Front and center is high energy, loud, fun, PARTY TIME!!!

It seems as though I digress (I didn't), just bare with me and I will get to what I learned after this next part of the story...

Now I am a bit older. Had to go to a graduation recently, found myself taking books, looking forward to reading at least them in the backseat of my car. I did my due diligence, walked around, made small talk with people (I am not a fan of small talk), walked my way over to the food table, took my food outside where less people were, visited some more while I ate my food. Threw away my garbage. I felt like I had done enough for the night. Went back to my car, untied my shoes, slipped them off, set a sweatshirt behind me, got my book out and smiled. Of course it didn't happen the way I wanted it to. I got a phone call from a friend, we talked for a bit...then a bit more...I told him I was ready to read a book, really was looking forward to it, then we talked more...a bit over two hours later I said I had to go look for my person. He said I could call him back if I wanted to (I didn't).

Reading those two different versions, if I hadn't told you they were both me, perhaps you would think they are two different people. One person out enjoying crowds, feeding on all the energy around me. (There are still times when I go out and dance the night away, having so much fun, looking like an extrovert). Other times, I just want to stay home or sit in the back seat and read a book, feels like an introvert.

Often times I pride myself on not using labels, this got the best of me. I had to see if they have a word for people like me, sometimes extroverted other times introverted. Low and behold they do! (of course they do). It's called an ambivert. Merriam-Webster defines an ambivert as "a person having characteristics of both extrovert and introvert". Apparently this word was first used in 1923, so... perhaps you already knew this. It blew my mind that they had a definition for something I truly feel. Now to remember the word ambivert if I ever want to bring this up in public. The things I find fascinating. Keep enjoying life and finding new things to learn!