The Complete Introvert Definition and Guide

内向者定义及指南大全

原文来自： https://introvertdear.com/what-is-an-introvert-definition/

Introvert definition:

内向者定义：

The definition of an introvert is someone who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments.

内向者被定义为偏爱安静及最小激励环境的人。

Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone. This is largely because introverts’ brains respond to dopamine differently than extroverts’, but it’s also a mix of how they’re raised and their experiences growing up.

内向者通常在社交活动后会感到精力耗尽，独处一段时间后会恢复精力。这主要是由于内向者与外向者大脑对多巴胺的反应不同，但同时也与他们被养育的方式及成长经历有关。

How Do I Know if I’m an Introvert?

如何知道自己是内向者？

Have you always felt different? Do you enjoy spending time alone? Growing up, were you the quiet one? Did people ask you, “Why don’t you talk more?” Do they still ask you that today?

你是否经常感到与众不同？你是否喜爱独处？长大后，你是安静的那个人吗？人们是否问你：“你为什么不多说话？”他们现在还这样问你吗？

If so, you might be an introvert.

如果是这样的话，那么你很可能是内向者。

And that makes you perfectly normal. Despite what your peers, teachers, and even parents may have told you, being an introvert doesn’t mean that you’re broken—or even that uncommon. Studies point to 30 to 50 percent of the U.S. population being introverts. That’s one out of every two or three people you know! Even if you are not an introvert yourself, you likely work with, are married to, or are friends with an introvert.

这让你完全正常。尽管你的朋友，老师，以及家长可能告诉你相反的事情，但作为一名内向者并不意味着你完蛋了，甚至不能说明你不同寻常。研究表明，在美国30%～50%的人是内向者。这意味着你认识的每两三个人中就有一个内向者！即使你自己不是一名内向者，你也非常有可能与内向者共事、结婚或交友。

So, if about half the population are introverts, why do we “quiet ones” grow up thinking there is something wrong with us? That we need to change who we are?

所以，如果大约半数的人都是内向者，为什么我们这些“安静的人”长达后会认为我们有问题？会去想改变自己的性格？

It’s because society tells us that the introvert’s way is wrong. Beginning as soon as we can walk and talk, we receive messages from those around us that we should act like extroverts — chatty, outgoing, fun, and social. In school, our grade depends on our participation in group work and class discussions. At work, we’re expected to not only do our job, but to also make friends with our coworkers and play the “office politics” game.

这是因为社会告诉我们，内向者的方式是错误的。从我们刚学会走路和说话起，我们就周围人教导，我们应该做一个外向者——健谈、直爽、欢快、好交际。在学校，我们的分数取决于我们在小组任务及课程讨论上的参与度。在工作中，我们被期望不仅能完成我们的工作，还要与同事搞好关系，甚至玩弄“办公室政治”。

Society says that only lonely people with no friends stay home on a Friday night. That quiet reflection is a waste of time. That the person with the loudest voice is the smartest and the best.

社会认为，只有孤独且没有伙伴的人会在周五晚上仍然待在家里。这种安静是浪费时间的表现。讲话最大声音的人是最聪明及最棒的人。

But if you’re an introvert, you know that’s simply not true. Quiet can be powerful. Spending time alone can be as nourishing as a good meal. Turning inward is what we do best — and where our true strength comes from.

但如果你是内向者，你知道以上是不正确的。安静是很有效的。独处可以与一顿美餐一样富有营养。关注内心生活能让我们做到最好，也是我们真正力量的来源。

The world could use more of what introverts have to offer.

这个世界可以更多的发挥内向者的潜力。

Slowly, our society is beginning to understand and accept the introvert’s way. But in order to do that, we first need to better understand what introversion is — and what it’s not. That’s the purpose of this guide, and of this entire website.

我们社会正在慢慢地理解并接受内向者的生活方式。但在这之前，我们首先需要理解什么是内向，什么不是内向。这就是这份指南，及本站的目标。

If you’re an introvert (or if there’s an introvert in your life who you’d like to better understand and relate to) read on.

如果你是内向者，或在你生命中有一个你想要更好理解的内向者，请继续读下去。

What Does It Mean to Be an Introvert?

做一名内向者意味着什么？

The most common definition of an introvert may be someone who gets drained by socializing and recharges by being alone. But there’s so much more to introversion than that.

最常见的内向者定义是，社交后疲劳并能通过独处恢复精力的人。但内向远不仅仅是关注自身这么简单。

Everyone is born with an innate temperament — a way that you gain energy and prefer to interact with the world. Introversion and extroversion are temperaments. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert is largely determined by your genes — meaning you were probably born that way.

每个人都有天生的温度，在此温度下最适合获取能量及与世界交互。内向与外向就是不同的温度。无论你是内向还是外向，主要是由你的基因决定的，这意味着你很可能出生就是这样的。

However, we’re also shaped by our life experiences. If your quiet, thoughtful ways were encouraged by your parents, teachers, and others, you probably grew up feeling confident in who you are. But, like many introverts, if you were teased, bullied, or told to “come out of your shell,” you may have developed social anxiety or felt like you had to pretend to be someone you’re not.

然而，我们也被自己的经历所塑造。如果你的安静、沉思的方式得到父母、老师及他人的鼓励，你很可能成长为一个对自己性格自信的人。但是，像许多内向者那样，如果你被取消、欺负，被告诉：“从自己的壳中走出来”， 你很可能会变得社交焦虑，或感到你自己必须装作是与自己不同的一种人。

The good news is it’s not too late to work on the things that hold you back.

好消息是，现在开始处理那么托你后腿的事情，仍然为时不晚。

Of course, not all introverts are the same. Some introverts will need only a little bit of alone time to recharge and can handle a fair amount of social time before feeling drained. Others drain quickly and prefer to spend very long periods alone. It’s different for each person, and many introverts are somewhere in the middle.

当然，内向者并不都一样。有的内向者仅需要一点点独处的时间去恢复精力，并且在精力耗尽之前，能够处理相当长时间的社交。而有的人则会很快的耗尽精力，并且需要相当长的独处时间。每个人的内向程度都不尽相同，大部分内向者是介于两者之间。

Sooner or later, however, all introverts will experience the dreaded “introvert hangover,” which is the feeling of being completely wiped out from too much “people time” or stimulation. This can mean feeling fatigued, unable to concentrate, or even grouchy. It’s as if your brain has used up all its mental energy and just doesn’t haven’t any left. (And, in fact, that’s exactly what has happened.)

然而，所有的内向者迟早会体验到难受的“内向宿醉”，即被太多的“社交时间”及激励所耗尽的感觉。

这可以是困乏，无法集中精力，甚至脾气暴躁。这就好像你的大脑耗尽了所有的精力，一点也没有剩下。

（事实上也的确如此）

The result is that most introverts share certain characteristics:

这导致了大部分内向者有如下特征：

We’d rather stay home most nights than go out to one social event after another.

我们宁愿大部分晚上都待在家里，而不是接连不断的参加社交活动。

We enjoy quiet, solitary activities like reading, writing, gaming, gardening, or drawing.

我们喜欢安静的、独处的活动，例如阅读、写作、打游戏、园艺或者绘画。

We’ll usually choose the company of a few close friends over a wild party.

我们通常喜欢与密友相伴，而非参与大型的派对。

We do our best work alone.

我们独处的时候状态更好。

Many of us will avoid small talk or other unnecessary social interactions.

我们大部分都喜欢避免闲聊及不必要的社交。

Are Introverts Shy?

内向者等同于害羞吗？

Some introverts are and some aren’t. This is probably the single most misunderstood thing about being an introvert.

有的内向者害羞，而有的不是。内向者等于害羞也许是关于内向者最大的误解。

The truth is that being shy and being an introvert are two totally different traits:

事实上，内向与害羞是截然不同的两码事。

Being shy means you get very nervous and self-conscious in social situations. Both introverts and extroverts can have this trait — not all natural-born extroverts run around chatting with strangers!

害羞意味着你在社交中非常紧张及十分关注自身。无论内向还是外向者都会有这些特征——并非所有的外向者都会到处与陌生人聊天。

Being introverted means socializing wears you out. You might not be nervous or shy at all. In fact, many introverts enjoy socializing (as long as it’s meaningful!). But since it will eventually tire you out, you probably avoid extra social time when you can.

内向意味着社交活动损耗精力。你也许一点也不紧张害羞。事实上，许多内向者很享受社交（只要他们是有意义的！）。但是当最终社交让人精力疲劳时，内向者通常会避免更多的社交活动。

Compare social stamina to running. If extroverts are marathon runners, introverts are sprinters. That doesn’t mean that introverts don’t like running (er, social time). It just means we have to conserve our energy.

社交疲劳与跑步相类比，如果外向者是马拉松选手，内向者则是短跑选手。这并不意味着内向者不喜欢跑步（即：社交）。这只意味着内向者需要保存体力。

5 Myths About Introverts

5 关于内向者的误解

Unfortunately, many people don’t fully understand what it means to be an introvert. They equate introversion with shyness, depression, or social anxiety. When introverts go quiet, we are wrongly accused of being stuck up, angry, or disinterested. And when we spend time alone, we are often accused of being antisocial or selfish.

不幸的是，许多人不能完全理解作为内向者意味着什么。他们认为内向等同于害羞、抑郁、或社交焦虑。

当内向者安静的时候，人们错误的认为他们傲慢、生气了、或是不感兴趣。当内向者独处时，人们经常指责他们反社交或自我中心。

For most introverts, these misconceptions couldn’t be further from the truth. Here’s the truth behind the five worst stereotypes:

对于大多数的内向者而言，这些谣言都不是真的。以下是五个最常见的刻板印象背后的真相：

Introverts are not necessarily socially awkward. Just like shyness, social awkwardness is a separate trait from introversion. Many introverts can actually be quite charismatic in social situations. (In fact, introverts account for 60 percent of all lawyers, a profession that requires quite a bit of confidence speaking in front of others.)

内向者并不一定不擅长社交。与害羞一样，不擅长社交也与内向是两码事。许多内向者可以在社交场合很有魅力。（事实上，内向者占了律师行业的60%，而律师是一种需要自信地当众讲话的职业）

Introverts don’t hate people. An introvert’s lack of chitchat is often misinterpreted. People take it as a sign that we don’t like others. The truth is the opposite. Introverts often avoid small talk because we consider it to be inauthentic. We crave a more meaningful connection with the people we talk to.

内向者并不是讨厌别人。内向者不喜欢闲谈，而这却通常遭人误解。人们认为这就是不喜欢别人的标志。事实却恰恰相反。内向者常常回避琐碎的对话，因为他们认为这些对话可能没有内涵。内向者在与人对话中寻求有意义的联系。

Introverts aren’t rude. Yes, if an introvert is completely out of social energy, we might start getting a little crabby or simply zone out. But we’re not trying to be rude — and we’ll be a lot more friendly if you give us some time to recharge alone.

内向者并非粗鲁。当然，如果内向者完全耗尽社交精力后，可能开始变得有些倔强或完全不在状态。但是这不是他们想要粗鲁待人——如果他们能够得到一点时间独处恢复，会变得友善很多。

Introverts don’t need be “fixed.” Being an introvert is part of who we are, and it can be a source of brilliance. We are at our best when we embrace our nature and use it as a source of strength.

内向者不需要“矫正”。内向是内向者天然的特性，是内向者智慧的源泉。只有接受并发挥自身特性时，内向者才能做到最好。

Introverts don’t (usually) wish we were extroverted. Sure, sometimes introverts envy an extrovert’s ability to think quickly or fit naturally into a social situation. But we also take great delight in our inner world and our alone time. Introverts have many strengths that don’t come naturally to extroverts, and we wouldn’t trade them for the world.

内向者（通常）并不希望自己变得外向。当然，有时候内向者会羡慕外向者快速思考及自然融入社交情境的能力。但内向者也可以在内心世界与独处中活得快乐。内向者有许多并不是外向者生来就有的长处，内向者并不要通过努力就能获得。

The 13 Signs of an Introvert

内向者的十三个特点：

Every introvert is unique, but there are some signs you’re an introvert that most of us can relate to. Introverts tend to:

每一个内向者都是独一无二的，但是仍然有许多大部分内向者都有的特点，内向者倾向于：

Enjoy spending time alone

喜欢花时间独处

Get drained by certain types of socializing (the “introvert hangover”)

会被某些社交活动耗尽精力

Do their best work alone

独处时工作效率最高

Would rather hang out with one or two close friends than a large group of people

喜欢于一两个密友一起，而非一大群人。

Are often “in their heads”

经常“在自己内心世界中”

May have a vivid, rich inner world

有丰富多彩的内心世界

Prefer to stay out of the spotlight

喜欢远离社交焦点

Feel like they’re faking it when they have to network

感到在不得不社交时，自己是在伪装

May struggle with word retrieval (choosing exactly the right words on the fly)

可能在选择单词时比较费力（即在口语对话中想到正确的词语）

Are better at writing their thoughts than speaking them

更擅长用写作表达自己的想法，而不是口语

Dive deep, both in their relationships and interests

在与人关系及自己的兴趣上钻研的很深

Seek meaning in their jobs and relationships

在工作与人际关系中寻求意义

Feel out of place in an “extroverted” society

感到在“外向者主宰”的社会中难以找到位置。

Not every introvert will match all of these signs, but if most of them sound familiar to you—chances are good that you’re an introvert. And if someone you love matches most of these signs, it may mean they’re an introvert, too!

并不是所有的内向者都有以上所有的特征，但是如果你符合其中大部分特征，你极有可能是一个内向者。如果你喜欢的人满足以上大部分特征，那意味着他们也很可能是内向者！

There’s No Such Thing as a Pure Introvert

并没有绝对的内向者

No two introverts are exactly alike. What’s true for one introvert may be be quite different for another. Each introvert has a different level of tolerance for socializing and other types of stimulation.

没有两个内向者是完全一致的。对一个内向者而言的事情，对其他内向者可能就完全不同。每个内向者对于社交及激励都有不同的容忍度。

Above all, there is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. “Such a man would be in the lunatic asylum,” the famous psychotherapist Carl Jung once noted. Introversion and extroversion are on a spectrum, meaning, they are not all-or-nothing traits. Everyone acts introverted at times and extroverted at other times. It’s all about what your preference — in general — is.

最重要的是，没有绝对的内向者及绝对的外向者。“这样的人肯定在精神病院”， 著名心理学家卡尔.荣格写到。内向与外向是在一条连续的谱线上，这意味这，这并不是一个水火不容的性格。每个人都有时表现的内向，有时表现的外向一点。这通常是取决与你的偏好。

If you’re not sure whether you’re more of an introvert or more of an extrovert, you can take the introvert quiz and find out.

如果你不知道自己是内向还是外向，你可以做一个测试去搞清楚。

Can Introverts Become Extroverts?

内向者可能变成外向者吗？

There are two answers to this:

这个问题有两个回答。

No, introverts cannot become extroverts.

不可以，内向者无法变成外向者。

Why would we want to?

内向者不应当变成外向者。

Why we can’t: The research is clear that introverts express their temperament from a young age. In fact, one study by psychologist Jerome Kagan found that it’s possible to predict which babies will grow up to be introverted based on their reaction to stimuli at just four months old. In other words, if you have an introverted nature, you’re likely to be that way from birth and remain that way throughout your life.

为什么不能改变：研究清楚的表明，性格在极小的时候就已经形成。事实上，心理学家杰罗姆.卡根( Jerome Kagan）的一项研究表明，通过四岁大婴儿对激励的反应，可以预测其长大后性格内向还是外向。话句话说，如果你有内向的天性，那么它是从出生而来就有的，并将伴随你的一生。

Why we don’t want to: This speaks to a deeper truth about introverts. There are plenty of introverts out there who wish they could be more outgoing, but this isn’t the same thing as becoming an extrovert. Introverts, like everyone, can practice their social skills and become more capable in social situations. But it won’t change the fact that those interactions drain us.

为什么不该改变：这涉及到内向者更深次的真相。有许多内向者希望自己能够变得外向一点，但这并不意味着他们想要变成外向者。内向者，与所有人一样，可以通过练习社交技巧，进而更好的适应社交环境。但这无法改变的一个事实是，社交活动消耗精力。

And the reality is, it’s better that way. Introverts who embrace their nature tend to flourish

实际上，能够拥抱自身性格的内向者，才能够更好的发挥自身才能。

. They are happier, have better relationships, do better work, and enjoy life because their minds are well-rested and their energy level is high. The best thing you can do if you’re an introvert is not try to change it, but to take the alone time you need and let your vast inner world work for you.

内向者变得更幸福、有更好的人际关系、能够更好的工作，并且享受自己的生活，这是因为他们的大脑得到了良好的休息，他们处于精力旺盛的状态。如果你是一个内向者，你能做的就是不要尝试去改变自己的性格，而是花时间独处，并且让你丰富的内心世界运作起来。

The Gift of Being an Introvert

内向者的天赋

Many introverts grow up feeling out of place. We live in a fast, noisy world that sees chattiness as a virtue. Many introverts worry from a young age that something is wrong with them.

许多内向者成长过程中，感到自己与周围格格不入。我们生活在一个快速喧嚣的世界中，在这个世界中，健谈被视为优点。许多内向者从小就担心自己是不是有什么问题。

But being an introvert is a gift.

但实际上，内向是一种天赋。

The world has a need for people who go deeper, think before they act, and look at things in new ways.

世界许多能否深入研究，三思而后行，并且能够从不同角度看待问题的人。

The world has a place for people who value meaningful relationships over meaningless small talk.

世界需要那些偏爱有意义的友谊胜过闲谈的人

And the world is ready for thoughtful, contemplative people who bring calm and wisdom to a room.

世界需要沉思周到的人带来稳静与智慧。

These are traits that introverts offer. And, precisely because the world has so many extroverts, when you step into these traits and own them, you will find that people appreciate you — and value you.

有许多内向者可以提供的特性。并且，这些特性极其宝贵，因为我们世界有太多的外向者。当你走进这些特性，并拥有他们时。你会发现人们会欣赏你的价值。

Why? Well, we’re not all the same, but depending on the introvert, introverts are…

为什么呢？内向者不都完全一致，取决与个人。内向者是…

There is an old saying that the person who says the least is also the wisest.

古语有云：慧者寡言

Introverts aren’t born any wiser than anyone else, but we do have an advantage. We are built to do the kind of contemplation that turns into great insight over time.

内向者并不是比其他人聪明，但有他们独特的优势。内向者有沉思的特点，而这将会带来卓越不凡的洞察力。

How to Thrive as an Introvert

内向者如果发挥自己的长处

Introverts can be successful in any walk of life

内向者可以在各行各业取得成功。

. There are introverts who are famous actors and politicians. There are introvert CEOs, pop stars, authors, and engineers. And introverts, like everyone, can find happiness in love, in family, in spirituality or in learning — or in whatever gives them purpose. What’s different about introverts is what we have to do to tap into our talents and thrive:

著名的演员及政治家中由内向者。CEO、摇滚明星、作家、工程师中有内向者。内向者与所有人一样，可以在爱情、家庭、宗教、学习及任何有意义的事情中得到快乐。内向者不同的地方就是他许多了解并发挥自己的性格特点。

We have to work with our introversion rather than fight against it.

我们许多发挥自身的内向性格，而非与之对抗。

That might mean turning down social invites. It might mean focusing on the friends you value most instead of trying to be everything to everyone. It might mean finding a way to get more solitude at work — especially in an open office.

这也许意味着你要少一些社交活动。这也许意味着你要关注最重要的那些伙伴，而非努力去与所有人交往。这也许意味着你要想办法不受干扰的工作——尤其是在开放式的办公场所。

And, most important, it might mean trusting your instinct about what you really need to be happy. Once you do that, you will stop feeling worn out or uncertain — and you’ll start seeing your genius come through.

最重要的是，这也许意味着你要信任自己的直觉，去决定什么才能够使你更快乐。当你做到这些时，你就不会感到耗尽或不确定——你就会慢慢发现自己优势。