Introversion with age?

[Enyo]

Years ago, when I first took the test, I came out ENTJ. Then it started wavering back and forth between ENTJ and INTJ, to the point that one test came out xNTJ because it was an even split. But I'm finding that, as I get older, the I is getting stronger, and I'm having less of a knack for making friends.

My husband (also an introvert) believes that it's because I've just lost interest.

What do you guys think? Do you find yourself getting more introverted as you age (for those that are introverted anyway)?

[Mondo]

Keep in mind that and I'm having less of a knack for making friends.
does not mean introversion.

However, I would say that if an extravert gets bored with and has negative feelings towards socializing that person would think that he or she was more introverted and vice versa for introverts.

[Maabus1999]

I see the definition of extroversion and introversion as being where you get and use your (social) energy; if it come from from other people or yourself. Extroverts need to be around people to be energized at times. Introverts do not and actually get drained by sharing so much energy when in a group.

As of this weekend, I was at a dinner party and MBTI came up, and 5 women thought I was extroverted just because I smiled, was outgoing, and seemed to be socially acceptable/popular. I just looked at them and laughed, telling them basically what I just said above, backed up with some examples of my behavior they have seen. Hopefully their minds are opened now.;)

[Enyo]

Keep in mind that does not mean introversion.

However, I would say that if an extravert gets bored with and has negative feelings towards socializing that person would think that he or she was more introverted and vice versa for introverts.

I think what I mean to say is I have less interest in being around people and need my alone time more and more. I'm finding social interactions more difficult, less meaningful. People exhaust me because they don't make much sense.

[LucrativeSid]

I used to hang out with people every single day. Now it's more like once a month. Yeah, the amount that I value socialization has lowered significantly. Most people are just a distraction and a waste of time. (That's a personal statement, no offense to them.)

[murkrow]

I've grown more E in the last 10 years.

[Littlelostnf]

I truly enjoy people and I know that I'm still an extrovert but as I've gotten older I find I can handle being around large groups of people (even small groups) less and less. I have to constantly leave the room and recharge even if it's just sitting alone for a few minutes. The amount of input from people makes me dizzy sometimes. Perhaps my Se is going crazy and my Ni is working it all out and not really having the time or energy to spit it all back out at someone (Fe) makes me just not want to be around. I think alot of people move towards midline when it comes to E/I as they get older but I don't think you switch from being I to E or vice versa.

[Little Linguist]

That's interesting because I find myself getting more extraverted as I get older...Uh, is that weird or what?! :doh:

[Littlelostnf]

That's interesting because I find myself getting more extraverted as I get older...Uh, is that weird or what?! :doh:


Nope not weird at all that's why I said alot of people not all or most. I think that depending on life happenings you can do just as you are describing and become more of what you already are...or less. However when you aren't strong on either you tend to move towards the middle

[Cality]

I see the definition of extroversion and introversion as being where you get and use your (social) energy; if it come from from other people or yourself. Extroverts need to be around people to be energized at times. Introverts do not and actually get drained by sharing so much energy when in a group.

As of this weekend, I was at a dinner party and MBTI came up, and 5 women thought I was extroverted just because I smiled, was outgoing, and seemed to be socially acceptable/popular. I just looked at them and laughed, telling them basically what I just said above, backed up with some examples of my behavior they have seen. Hopefully their minds are opened now.;)

Oooo cool! A well socialised INTJ!! Shame that you live in the US! :doh:

[nottaprettygal]

That's interesting because I find myself getting more extraverted as I get older...Uh, is that weird or what?! :doh:

This seems less "weird" than becoming more introverted. As you age, you usually start coming into your own more and getting more comfortable with yourself. Therefore, it's likely that you would be more willing to share your gifts and talents with other people, rather than keeping them inside.

[cafe]

I'm less shy, but more of a homebody than I used to be and I have a lower tolerance for crowds.

[Enyo]

I'm less shy, but more of a homebody than I used to be and I have a lower tolerance for crowds.

That's what I mean. I've never been shy, exactly, and I still don't mind crowds... providing that they aren't all out for interaction with me.

But I have less and less of an interest in going out and being social. Like a previous poster had said, maybe we just become more and more what we are as we age. Kind of like a sculptor working with clay: As it gets molded, it takes shape into what it is, and once it's fired, it becomes what it will be forever.

But is the firing through time, or through experiences gained in that time? As time goes by, I find myself getting neater, more exact, more efficient, and less in tune with the feelings of those around me.

[Mondo]

As of this weekend, I was at a dinner party and MBTI came up, and 5 women thought I was extroverted just because I smiled, was outgoing, and seemed to be socially acceptable/popular. I just looked at them and laughed, telling them basically what I just said above, backed up with some examples of my behavior they have seen. Hopefully their minds are opened now.;)

Yea, those chicks didn't really understand what Extraversion is in the MBTI sense. My INTJ friend is one that can get ridiculously talkative and enthusiastic about things he's interested in BUT he will only really do this around his closest friends- in a superficial sense, he could get mistaken for an Extravert. However, he hates parties and places where there is an abundance of social interaction. He will go and enjoy himself if it's a group of his friends but he finds me silly for enjoying the bar/club scene.

I think what I mean to say is I have less interest in being around people and need my alone time more and more. I'm finding social interactions more difficult, less meaningful. People exhaust me because they don't make much sense.
That's what I mean- more negative interaction OR negative associations toward socializing- more likely to become introverted. The question is: Are you an extravert or an introvert?

[cafe]

I think it can depend on what phase of your life you are in, too. Right now, I have quite a bit to keep up with, but I could see meeting up with other old biddies for coffee, etc daily one of these years.

I think maybe what we feel less of as we get older is an obligation to do things we don't want to just because we're 'supposed to.'

[JAVO]

But I have less and less of an interest in going out and being social. Like a previous poster had said, maybe we just become more and more what we are as we age. Kind of like a sculptor working with clay: As it gets molded, it takes shape into what it is, and once it's fired, it becomes what it will be forever.

But is the firing through time, or through experiences gained in that time? As time goes by, I find myself getting neater, more exact, more efficient, and less in tune with the feelings of those around me.

I used to be strongly introverted. Now, people who don't know me well sometimes mistake me for an extravert. I'm much happier, and actually work somewhat more efficiently to make up for the increased talk and social time. :D

Growth is about assimilating characteristics of our opposite type into our personality. This is done through both experiences and evaluation over time.

I'm significantly happier being more extraverted. Are you happier now being less extraverted?

[Enyo]

I'm significantly happier being more extraverted. Are you happier now being less extraverted?

Happier? Not sure. Much more at peace because I don't feel like I'm "on stage" all the time. When I was a housewife, if I wanted interaction, I'd go out. But I was content to stay home for days on end.

Now that I'm working again, I find working with the public to be simple. I'm on stage when I work with the public, but I don't have to stay on long enough. I only work with two or three people at a time, so it isn't overtaxing.

What's overtaxing is trying to work with my staff. :P

[Maabus1999]

Oooo cool! A well socialised INTJ!! Shame that you live in the US! :doh:

Can always come visit! I can show you the wonderful world of the South! Extremely exciting! We can even see if we find a local with more then 2 teeth (if it is a she, I call first dibs).

Actually isn't bad, a lot of the forum members here seem to be from North Carolina. And where I live, I have a choice of any type of recreational activity within 2.5 hours of my house:D Makes my INTJ skill drive very happy.

[Cality]

Can always come visit! I can show you the wonderful world of the South! Extremely exciting! We can even see if we find a local with more then 2 teeth (if it is a she, I call first dibs).

Actually isn't bad, a lot of the forum members here seem to be from North Carolina. And where I live, I have a choice of any type of recreational activity within 2.5 hours of my house:D Makes my INTJ skill drive very happy.

You also can come and visit France... Interesting country with wierd food and surprising people !