Introverts and Extroverts

At the simplest level, it is about where your energy comes from.

• Introverts tend to feel recharged by time alone
• Extroverts tend to feel energised by being around others

This idea goes back to early personality theory and is still widely used today.

But it is not as fixed as many people think.

Most people are somewhere in the middle

You may have heard people describe themselves as one or the other, but research shows something important.

• Around 30 to 50 percent of people identify as introverts
• A large proportion fall somewhere between the two
• In fact, around 90 percent of people may sit in the middle range, often called ambiverts

This means it is very normal to recognise parts of yourself in both.

Signs you may lean towards introversion

You might notice:

• You feel tired after social events
• You prefer deeper one to one conversations
• You think things through before speaking

Why this matters for your wellbeing

Problems often arise when people try to push against their natural needs.

For example:

• An introvert forcing constant social interaction may feel exhausted or anxious
• An extrovert with too much isolation may feel flat or disconnected

Over time, this can affect both physical and emotional health.

• You enjoy quiet time to reset

Studies suggest around 75 percent of introverts feel drained after socialising

This is not a weakness. It is simply how your nervous system processes stimulation.

Signs you may lean towards extroversion

You may find:

• You gain energy from being around others
• You enjoy group settings and conversation
• You tend to think out loud
• You feel low or restless if alone for too long

Extroverts often build wider social networks and feel most alive in shared spaces.

Again, this is not better or worse, just different.

Can you switch between introvert and extrovert?

In a word, yes, to a degree.

You may not change your natural tendency completely, but you can adapt.

Many people:

• Act more extroverted at work
• Need quiet recovery time afterwards
• Feel more introverted during stress or overwhelm
• Become more socially open when they feel safe

This flexible middle ground is often called ambiversion.

It means you can respond to life rather than being limited by a label.

If you are more introverted

• Build in regular quiet time without guilt
• Choose meaningful conversations over large groups
• Plan recovery time after busy days
• Listen to your body when it feels overwhelmed

If you are more extroverted

• Stay connected with people who feel supportive
• Include movement and shared activity in your week
• Notice when you are avoiding quiet time
• Learn to sit with stillness in small, manageable ways

If you feel in between

• Give yourself permission to change day to day
• Balance social time with rest
• Notice what you need rather than what you “should” be

You are not fixed.

You are not either or.

You are responding to your life, your experiences and your nervous system.

Understanding your natural rhythm can ease pressure and help you feel more at home in yourself.