Discernment: My Introvert-Extrovert Masquerade

Hello, fellow dwellers of the inner sanctum—my introverted comrades in arms! It’s me, your fellow introvert, who’s perfected the art of blending into the background so well, I’m practically a ninja at social gatherings. Well, a ninja who occasionally gets dragged into the spotlight and has to morph into an extrovert, because apparently, the world demands it.

Now, don't get me wrong. Being an introvert has its perks. We're the kings and queens of introspection, the lords of the land of thoughtfulness. We thrive in solitude where our creativity blooms, our thoughts deepen, and our souls recharge. But every so often, life throws us into the deep end of the social pool, and we have to swim—or at least dog paddle—like extroverts.

Turning into an extrovert when it counts is like being a superhero who didn't exactly sign up for the job. One moment, you're quietly enjoying your book, and the next, you're expected to dazzle a room full of people with witty banter, sparkling charisma, and an endless supply of energy. It’s draining, to say the least. Picture a battery rapidly depleting with every interaction, and that's us, dear introverts, trying our best to keep the extrovert disguise intact.

But let’s add another layer to this onion of complexity—discernment. Ah, discernment, that lovely ability to judge well, to read between the lines, and to sense things in a way that’s almost psychic. (*** Don't get me started on the support staffer who has been the queen of passive aggressive behavior to the point where I asked to meet and she blew me off via email only to smile, hug me, and giggle in my face while back end mean girling me and denying me information and access so far my silence has been saving her life and she knows as does our Leader. *** ) It’s like having an internal radar that pings whenever something feels off, or when someone’s emotions are running high, even if they’re trying to hide it.

For us introverts, discernment shows up like a superpower that we didn’t ask for but got anyway. It’s being in a room and absorbing the vibes, emotions, and undercurrents like a sponge. We notice the unspoken tensions, the subtle shifts in dynamics, and the unsaid words hanging in the air. It's exhausting, honestly. We're like emotional detectives, piecing together clues that no one else seems to notice.

This combo of being an introverted extrovert with a discerning mind is a cocktail that often leaves us misunderstood. People might see us as aloof or distant when we’re simply overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information we’re processing. Or they might mistake our quietness for disinterest, not realizing that we’re deeply observing and engaging with the world in our way.

So, here’s to us, the introverts who navigate the extroverted world with grace and a bit of grumbling. We put on our extrovert masks and do the dance, even when we’d rather be at home, curled up with a good book or lost in our thoughts. Remember, it's okay to retreat and recharge. Our introverted selves need it, despite the extroverted bravado we sometimes have to display.

In this journey of balancing our inner and outer worlds, let's embrace our discernment and introversion as gifts, not burdens. And to the world, we say: Yes, we might be quiet, but we’re observing, understanding, and connecting in ways that are deep and meaningful. And when we do transform into our extroverted alter egos, watch out—because we bring depth, empathy, and a touch of humor to the table, making the masquerade not just bearable but uniquely ours.

Until next time, keep recharging those batteries and know that being misunderstood is just a part of our charm. Here’s to thriving in our introverted world, masquerade and all!

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