This is a great article from Huffington Post that seems to validate that I am normal in most of my abnormalites. While J. Randy Taraborelli is specifically referring to Michael Jackson, I think the words reign true for most creative people.
“Creative people tend to be both extroverted and introverted. We’re usually one or the other, either preferring to be in the thick of crowds or sitting on the sidelines and observing the passing show. In fact, in psychological research, extroversion and introversion are considered the most stable personality traits that differentiate people from each other and that can be reliability measured. Creative individuals, on the other hand, seem to exhibit both traits simultaneously.” – J. Randy Taraborelli, Michael Jackson biographer
Katina says:
Well you already know I can relate lol!
Here is why I personally connected with this article (this part stood out to me about the metal band):
“Those familiar only with the subjects’ stage persona believed the subjects to be friendly, bold and approachable. The acquaintances who were able to respond to Grimes’ interview questionnaire reported that the subjects were not approachable or appeared to hold a condescending view of others until one became better acquainted with the individual. Those closer to the musicians thought they were warm, friendly, calm and pleasant.”
THAT summarizes most of my experiences with people. The people who aren’t in my “inner circle” are too distracted by what they see, to listen and accept in times of honest expression what I share about myself. Though I’m low key by nature (would MUCH rather be in the background, unnoticed) I was surprised that most of the people I met didn’t know it was because I was shy lol! (maybe they thought I was trying to be cool?)Even my close friends didn’t think my low-key disposition was because I am shy on account that they get to see ME (the uninhibited me), they somehow had this idea that nothing inhibits me lol! (I can’t blame them for that…if you’ve ever been around when I shoot off at the mouth you might think so too lol)
At school my teachers were always shocked during parent/teacher conferences when my parents said “Katina never shuts up”…cause at school I never said a word. My parents thought I’d be a lawyer, or stand up comedian, but if you’d talk to my 8th grade teacher who had to sit through my painful-to-watch oral report, the one where I looked like I had a stroke (face was contorted while I try to push past my fear of being up there in front of everyone), he would think everyone was nuts for conceiving such careers for me lol!
So long story short, yeah I can be extroverted, but that’s not really me by nature. Under certain circumstances I appear that way, but if you look in my noggin you’d find that what really happened was that in some way, shape or form, I’ve become engrossed in the moment and “forgotten” where I was lol. Most of the time being extroverted (for me) is a conscious decision I make to step out of my comfort zone for the sake of “living” or growing or learning. I.e. My birthday party, when dude asked me to dance on the table. First thing that happened was my heart sank, then I sh*t myself…then I said “might as well do this” and stepped up there to display all manner of buffoonery lol! It was fun but not something I would have initiated (ever).
So,great pick Kenn 🙂 I liked this one.
P.S. Hope other intro/extros post their stories lol! Can’t be the only one putting myself out there haha!
Katina says:
Well then, considering the bodily functions involved in our discomfort at being the center of attention, I could only give the #1 spot to someone who feels like doing #1.
So Mr. Bivins, when it comes to being an intro/extro let’s all chant “YOU’RE #1, YOU’RE #1!” (lol)
kenn says:
Katina, it’s likely that you WILL be the only one responding because you’re such an extrovert LOL
And yes, at your birthday party when you got on the table and started dancing with the belly dancer, I’m certain a lot of people would assume that you’re far from shy.
In the same way, people assume I’m Mr. Extrovert all the while I’m peeing in my pants at the idea of being the center of attention (minus the actual urine in my pants).
Asabi says:
this is so me! I always describe myself as equal parts social butterfly and loner hermit crab. And I’m ok with that. 🙂
Mikki says:
Wow! I can so relate to this. When I am in my “creative” zone I am such the extrovert bubbling with excitement but on the other hand I am naturally an introvert. It’s hard to explain to those who don’t know me but this article does a great job of making it clear that we can be both.