Introverts are very loyal friends. Once they form close relationships, they are unlikely to give up on those friendships in the face of conflict. Since introverts have to use energy for social interactions, they see the time they've spent on a friendship as a serious investment of their time and emotional energy.
Introverts tend to prefer deeper connections over superficial relationships, which sometimes results in a higher quality friendship. Introverts make great friends because they are careful in selecting their companions and highly value the people they choose to spend time with.
Seek out comfortable people and comfortable places
Introverts prefer to stay in their comfort zones, Dr. Helgoe said, and they also like spending time with “comfortable people,” meaning friends who don't feel compelled to talk the entire time you are together (or expect you to).
For an introvert, maintaining a friendship is like exercising. It never quite loses that feeling of “work,” but as long as one doesn't put it off too long, it doesn't have to be a chore, either. And just like a good exercise regimen, maintaining a friendship doesn't have to consume your life.
Introverts are very loyal friends.
Once they form close relationships, they are unlikely to give up on those friendships in the face of conflict. Since introverts have to use energy for social interactions, they see the time they've spent on a friendship as a serious investment of their time and emotional energy.
Socialising can become draining
An introvert will reach their limits before an extrovert. "Overdoing it" socially can cause emotional fatigue, which makes it hard to hold a conversation for too long and can potentially lead to irritability. "They might look less tolerant and responsive.
Angry Introverts are in a sensitive state, and they can easily become overstimulated by too much social contact. Interestingly, Introverts won't usually respond to their anger by leaving altogether.
Introverts do appreciate being around people with whom they are close. They find engaging in "small talk" tedious, but do enjoy having deep, meaningful conversations. Introverts also tend to think before speaking.
An introvert who cares about you will listen closely to what you say, even if they're not actively showing it. Introverts are often thought of as being distracted or daydreaming, but this is usually because they are giving their full attention to what you're saying and processing it before speaking.
In the Friendship section of our Life Satisfaction surveys, we ask, “How often do you go out accompanied by your friends?” Here are some notable results: 26% of Introverts and 44% of Extraverts say friends accompany them 80–100% of the time.
For introverts, being alone is like food, sleep, or any other type of replenishment — you can't go too long without it. There's no doubt about it: Introverts love alone time. And it's not just about relishing an evening alone — introverts need regular solitude to function.
Introverts can experience a bit of anxiety when they need to speak in social situations. Introducing themselves, talking to a stranger or public speaking are mentally draining for them. These are the examples of a definitely stressful situation out of their comfort zone.
Depending on each individual introvert's willingness to speak on the phone, taking your call or calling you of their own accord can also be a sign of affection. It's a sign that they actually enjoy speaking with you when they can, even if the phone isn't preferable to a face-to-face conversation.
Introverts are loyal and devoted friends.
People are attracted to loyal and devoted people. While introverts may not always realize it, this is a trait most people find attractive in them. Their loyalty isn't just attractive to the recipients of that devotion, but to anyone who observes them.
Key Takeaways
Introverts are generally more attuned to expressing love in nonverbal ways and don't tolerate sentimentality. They also need more time to express their affection, so patience is very important at the beginning of the relationship.
Perhaps the toughest part of being an introvert is not so much talking about yourself, but rather wishing you were better at talking about yourself.
This means talking in terms of the other person's interests and listening to them when they talk about themselves. This shows you're interested in their values, attitudes, experiences, and beliefs. You're interested in who they are as a person, which can be a real turn-on, especially to a fellow introvert or HSP.
Social interaction can fuel some people, especially extroverts. To introverts, the same level of social interaction can be draining instead. While introverts can appreciate socializing, they invest a lot of energy trying to navigate socially demanding environments, leading to social exhaustion.
An introvert is a person with qualities of a personality type known as introversion, which means that they feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what's happening externally. They enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds.
An introvert hangover, also called introvert burnout, occurs when an introvert has spent too much time interacting with others and they feel exhausted and drained. Many people don't realize that introverts can be very outgoing and enjoy social interactions.