BBC Ideas｜内向者的安静力量

The quiet power of introverts

I am an introvert and I love it. And I'm not alone. Introverts are everywhere, and our quiet approach to life, our need for solitary time, isn't a flaw - it's a gift. But as an introvert, it's not always easy to realize how wonderful you are.

The world feels like a place that rewards extroverts. Where being loud is mistaken for being confident and happy. Where everyone has something to say, but nobody 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 blended into the background. Many thought that I had little to say or that I simply didn't like others. But that wasn't true.

People often think that introverts are shy, or antisocial. But these are misconceptions. Introverts, like anyone, can find socializing fun. But while parties leave extroverts energized, after some time, introverts need to recharge... away from everyone.

There is a scientific theory for this. There are two important chemicals found in all our brains - dopamine and acetylcholine. Dopamine is like a hit of energy when we take risks or meet new people - and it makes extroverts feel great. But introverts are more sensitive to dopamine and get quickly over-stimulated.

That's why we prefer the more slow-burn feeling we get when our brains release acetylcholine. That happens when we concentrate, read, or focus our minds. It makes us introverts feel relaxed, alert and content. But it barely registers with extroverts.

Of course, like anything, it's a sliding scale. You can lean one way or another. Or be a bit of both - known as an ambivert.

Now I understand myself better, I am deeply grateful for how I am. Instead of filling up space with small talk, I listen patiently and make my words matter. I have few friends but our connection is 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 eventually reconnect with myself. Only after that am I ready to share with the world again.

I have learnt strategies for finding comfort in our noisy world - from using music to create bubbles of peace, to escaping to a quiet park at lunchtime. I adore the intensity and chaotic beauty of the world. But it's in quiet spaces where I feel truly at home.

If introversion were more valued by society, it could make a massive difference to our collective future. The unique attributes of introverts really are a deep, quiet strength. And as Gandhi, put it, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world".

词汇表
introvert ['ɪntrəvɜːt] 内向的人；性格内向的
solitary ['sɒlətri] 独自的，单独的，孤独的
flaw [flɔː] 缺陷，瑕疵
gift [ɡɪft] 天赋，才能
extrovert ['ekstrəvɜːt] 外向的人；性格外向的
open-plan office 开放式办公室（指种没有隔间、空间开阔的办公空间设计）
networking party [ˈnetwɜːkɪŋ] 社交聚会
big personality [ˌpɜːsəˈnæləti] 个性鲜明，个性张扬，个性突出
feel left out 感到被冷落，觉得被排斥
blend into the background [blend] 融入背景，默默无闻（指不引人注目，不突出）
antisocial [ˌæntiˈsəʊʃl] 不爱社交的，不合群的；反社会的
misconception [ˌmɪskənˈsepʃn] 误解，错误观念
recharge [ˌriːˈtʃɑːdʒ] 充电，恢复精力
dopamine ['dəʊpəmiːn] 多巴胺（与愉悦感、奖赏机制等有关）
acetylcholine [ˌæsiːtɪlˈkəʊliːn] 乙酰胆碱（参与调节注意力、学习和记忆等功能）
over-stimulated [ˌəʊvə(r) ˈstɪmjuleɪtɪd] 过度刺激的
slow-burn [ˈsləʊ bɜːn] 缓慢燃烧的，缓慢产生的，慢慢积蓄的
content [kənˈtent] 满足的，满意的
register with someone [ˈredʒɪstə(r)] 使某人意识到，注意到，感知到；被理解
sliding scale [ˈslaɪdɪŋ skeɪl] 渐变范围；滑动标尺
ambivert [ˈæmbɪvɜːt] 中间性格者，既外向又内向的人
small talk 闲聊，闲谈，寒暄
reconnect with [ˌriːkəˈnekt] 与…重新建立联系；重新找回
bubbles of peace （隔绝外界喧嚣的）宁静小空间
adore [əˈdɔː(r)] 热爱，喜爱，崇拜
intensity [ɪnˈtensəti] 强烈，剧烈；强度
chaotic [keɪˈɒtɪk] 混乱的，杂乱的，无秩序的
feel at home 感到自在，感到宾至如归
introversion [ˌɪntrə'vɜːʃ(ə)n] 内向性格，内向性
make a massive difference [ˈmæsɪv] 产生巨大的影响
collective future [kəˈlektɪv] 共同的未来
attribute [ˈætrɪbjuːt] 品质，属性，特征

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