Blog Addiction: 87% This post is about why.
In part, I've been thinking about some things since Brother Maynard's post on introversion. I have always marveled at the sheer percentages of innies I meet in the blog world, and I have wondered why this is. Obviously, blogging gives us the ability to interact with the world on our own terms, without having to deal with that energy-sapping face-time.
Sometimes I feel goofy talking about my online life to people in my real life (IRL). I have few people IRL who even know what a *blog* is, much less have one. I struggle to explain, especially to extroverts who have no need for such nonsense, why I so value this world.
Wonderful friendships I have gleaned in this world notwithstanding, it has been an amazing outlet for me. I have been encouraged, educated, and had eye-opening conversations. I have had goofy chats with some cool new friends. I have found space to truly explore what it means for me to be a Christian - and found voices just like mine.
All this things should be evidence of the value of this world.
But many people - those who don't participate in this environment and especially those who look at me blankly - blink-blink - because they cannot fathom interacting with someone they can't see - make me feel silly.
If you're an introvert, you know that interacting with people saps your energy and being alone energizes you. Ever thought about why?
I used to think it was because being in present company forced me to think of things to say, forced me to make conversation. But truth is, I have no trouble at all talking with people I know well.
Maybe it's just because I'm an intuitive (N), or maybe it has to do with insecurities - I'd be interested to know you other innie's takes on this -
But I have noticed that when I am with other people - either strangers, acquaintances, or even friends who I don't know really well, my intuition and perception goes into overdrive. I am constantly reading nonverbal cues - both body language and that more vague sense of discernment or intuition - are they being honest, did what I said offend them, am I being too opinionated...and all this information - both compiling it and processing it - all while having a conversation - is overwhelming and exhausting.
And you extroverts or non-intuitives might say - "Well then, stop" - but it's not that simple. This is who I am, not a behavior I engage in. I sometimes wish I could stop - but I can't. Sometimes it's a curse - my husband asks me why I am always reading into what people say. Often, this proves to be accurate, but it's true, some extroverts say exactly what they mean, no holds barred, and trying to read some inner truth is often frustrating.
I am an information junkie - all kinds of information is helpful in assessing a situation, for engaging in conversation, for seeing a person for who they really are and not who they portray themselves as and for hearing the heart or spirit behind what they are saying.
With that, sometimes people will tell me it seems as if I'm not listening when they are talking - when in fact I am more than listening and can often not only tell them what they have said, but what they actually meant. This is why so often people come to me for counsel, I guess.
In any case, I guess what I'm getting at - is the blog world provides me with a break, a chance to interact with people while being free of the need or ability to intuit them. When interacting with people in text-only, yes, something is lost in the translation. But then again, for some of us this is a good thing. I have to learn about people from their words, and this stretches me, for I sometimes choke when I can't see someone's eyes to know what they are really saying. It's a learning process, and one I need. Because in being an intuitive there is also insecurity - learning to trust and take people are face-value, rather than trying to dig deep into their motives, is an important confidence builder for me.
I thrive on the chance to give my innie a rest from perceiving. Also, when writing, I am not having to both converse and perceive at the same time - and this is much less exhausting and resource-sapping than having to convert-on-the-fly. I can write something, then read a response, then think about that response, then write my own response. I have times to process apart from having to think about what I'm actually hearing and saying.
Of course there are other reasons I like blogging - for one I have met people whom I value that I would never had otherwise met without the net. I have also engaged with a wide variety of beliefs and perspectives, while IRL it's easier to interact with people just like me.
Any thoughts?
In part, I've been thinking about some things since Brother Maynard's post on introversion. I have always marveled at the sheer percentages of innies I meet in the blog world, and I have wondered why this is. Obviously, blogging gives us the ability to interact with the world on our own terms, without having to deal with that energy-sapping face-time.
Sometimes I feel goofy talking about my online life to people in my real life (IRL). I have few people IRL who even know what a *blog* is, much less have one. I struggle to explain, especially to extroverts who have no need for such nonsense, why I so value this world.
Wonderful friendships I have gleaned in this world notwithstanding, it has been an amazing outlet for me. I have been encouraged, educated, and had eye-opening conversations. I have had goofy chats with some cool new friends. I have found space to truly explore what it means for me to be a Christian - and found voices just like mine.
All this things should be evidence of the value of this world.
But many people - those who don't participate in this environment and especially those who look at me blankly - blink-blink - because they cannot fathom interacting with someone they can't see - make me feel silly.
If you're an introvert, you know that interacting with people saps your energy and being alone energizes you. Ever thought about why?
I used to think it was because being in present company forced me to think of things to say, forced me to make conversation. But truth is, I have no trouble at all talking with people I know well.
Maybe it's just because I'm an intuitive (N), or maybe it has to do with insecurities - I'd be interested to know you other innie's takes on this -
But I have noticed that when I am with other people - either strangers, acquaintances, or even friends who I don't know really well, my intuition and perception goes into overdrive. I am constantly reading nonverbal cues - both body language and that more vague sense of discernment or intuition - are they being honest, did what I said offend them, am I being too opinionated...and all this information - both compiling it and processing it - all while having a conversation - is overwhelming and exhausting.
And you extroverts or non-intuitives might say - "Well then, stop" - but it's not that simple. This is who I am, not a behavior I engage in. I sometimes wish I could stop - but I can't. Sometimes it's a curse - my husband asks me why I am always reading into what people say. Often, this proves to be accurate, but it's true, some extroverts say exactly what they mean, no holds barred, and trying to read some inner truth is often frustrating.
I am an information junkie - all kinds of information is helpful in assessing a situation, for engaging in conversation, for seeing a person for who they really are and not who they portray themselves as and for hearing the heart or spirit behind what they are saying.
With that, sometimes people will tell me it seems as if I'm not listening when they are talking - when in fact I am more than listening and can often not only tell them what they have said, but what they actually meant. This is why so often people come to me for counsel, I guess.
In any case, I guess what I'm getting at - is the blog world provides me with a break, a chance to interact with people while being free of the need or ability to intuit them. When interacting with people in text-only, yes, something is lost in the translation. But then again, for some of us this is a good thing. I have to learn about people from their words, and this stretches me, for I sometimes choke when I can't see someone's eyes to know what they are really saying. It's a learning process, and one I need. Because in being an intuitive there is also insecurity - learning to trust and take people are face-value, rather than trying to dig deep into their motives, is an important confidence builder for me.
I thrive on the chance to give my innie a rest from perceiving. Also, when writing, I am not having to both converse and perceive at the same time - and this is much less exhausting and resource-sapping than having to convert-on-the-fly. I can write something, then read a response, then think about that response, then write my own response. I have times to process apart from having to think about what I'm actually hearing and saying.
Of course there are other reasons I like blogging - for one I have met people whom I value that I would never had otherwise met without the net. I have also engaged with a wide variety of beliefs and perspectives, while IRL it's easier to interact with people just like me.
Any thoughts?
38 comments: