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The quiet power of introverts

With over 6 million views on the BBC Ideas YouTube channel, the video The Quiet Power of Introverts opens up fresh perspectives and discoveries about the inner world of these individuals.

Below is a summary, narrated in the first person by an animated character.

I’m an introvert, and I love it.

And I’m not alone. Introverts are everywhere, and our quiet approach to life, our need for solitude, isn’t a flaw – it’s a gift.

But being an introvert, you don’t always realize how great you are. The world seems like a place that only rewards extroverts: 

  • A place where loudness is mistaken for confidence and happiness. 
  • A place where everyone has something to say, but no one listens. 
  • A world of open-plan offices, networking parties, and big personalities.

For those who speak softly, it’s easy to feel left out.

As a child, I often blended into the background. Many people thought I had nothing to say or simply didn’t like others. But that wasn’t true.

People often think introverts are shy or anti-social. But those are misunderstandings.

Introverts, like anyone, can find socializing fun. But while parties energize extroverts, after a while, introverts need to recharge…

There’s a scientific theory behind this.

There are two important chemicals found in all our brains: dopamine and acetylcholine.

Dopamine is like an energy boost when we take risks or meet new people – and it makes extroverts feel great. But introverts are more sensitive to dopamine and quickly get overstimulated.

Meanwhile, our brains release Acetylcholine when we focus, read, or immerse ourselves in a task. It makes us introverts feel relaxed, alert, and content. But it barely affects extroverts.

Of course, like anything, this is a spectrum. You might lean one way or the other, or you might be a bit of both – what’s known as an ambivert.

Understanding Myself

Now that I understand myself better, I’m deeply grateful for who I am and who I’ve become. Instead of filling space with small talk, I listen patiently and make my words count.

I have fewer friends, but our bonds are deep. I love spending time alone. It’s where the chaos of a long day can finally settle. I can reflect and listen to my thoughts and, in the end, reconnect with myself.

Only then am I ready to share with the world again.

I’ve learned strategies to find comfort in our noisy world – from using music to create pockets of peace, to escaping to a quiet park during lunch breaks.

I love the intensity and chaotic beauty of the world. But it’s in quiet spaces that I truly feel at home. If introversion were more valued by society, it could make a big difference to our shared future.

The unique traits of introverts are truly a profound quiet strength. And as Gandhi said, ‘In a gentle way, you can shake the world.’

Watch the full video [HERE].

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