*Why are you an introvert?

If I knew the answer to that, I’d end up with a Nobel Prize. Formation of that kind of thing isn’t exactly a well defined and understood thing. It’s an accepted theory of personality, but it isn’t like you can peg it to specific sections of the brain, and it doesn’t seem to be a learned aspect of self.

*When did you realize you were an introvert?

About three seconds into seeing the definition of it. It was “oh, so that’s the word for how I am.”

*If you overcame it how did or why did you?

It isn’t anything to overcome. It’s no more or less a problem than anything else, particularly since introversion and extraversion aren’t a pure binary. They’re simply the far ends of a continuum.

Mind you, the principle itself does have detractors, and the model falls apart often enough to merit debate as to how accurate it is.

Now, social anxiety, that’s something to overcome, and despite being introverted, I only experienced that briefly during jr high. Mainly because the school I went to was a fucking zoo full of rabid hyenas. Later on, in high school, I was known for “doing voices” while reading aloud in English class, for various plays and novels. No bullshit, I got applause in class when doing “My Fair Lady”, reading the part of Henry Higgins. Yeah, this was AP, so we were all into literature, but still.

In college, I took a public speaking course to improve my skills there. I’m reckoned to be a very effective presenter, and have taught small groups in my field of work.

My threshold where social interactions become dreadful is at the point where it becomes a crowd rather than a group. It’s as much about physical proximity with people that aren’t intimates as it is numbers though. Five strangers on an elevator is worse than fifty in a field, if you get my vibe. Among friends, my personal space shrinks gladly. Same with some family (though not all).

*Any advice for people trying to be less of an introvert?

Don’t. Intro and extraversion aren’t something that needs to change. What you do is learn what your limits and boundaries are so that you can enforce them.

What is useful is figuring out ways to interact in social settings when you don’t have choice, the same as when extraverts have to find ways of coping when social interactions are scarce, like late night security work (I had a partner that was full-on extraverted to an extreme lol). It won’t be too difficult unless you’re at the extreme end of things, because the various aspects of the continuum aren’t exclusive. You can be introverted emotionally, where you just don’t share your feelings, but be fine dancing and chatting at parties, then struggle with a deep conversation after the party.

Find who you are by challenging your limits. Then, you can plan accordingly in the future.