At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams.
Although they are often labeled “quiet,” it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society—from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.
Susan Cain’s extraordinary bestselling book Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.
Often, holidays can be a stressful time for introverts, so we asked Susan to share some tips for a quiet holiday. Enjoy!
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1. Make a date with yourself for a cozy evening by the fire, reading a novel and drinking peppermint cocoa.
2. Find an occasion for late-night reverential awe: Take a moonlight walk on a wintry evening. Attend midnight Mass. Stay up late and watch the snow fall.
3. Call your dearest friends and family to thank them for their presence in your lives.
4. Instead of a New Year’s resolution, try a New Year’s regeneration, by embracing a creative project. Write a story. Wallpaper your bedroom. Study Thai cooking.
5. And, speaking of New Year’s—it’s OK to stay home on New Year’s Eve!
Featured image: Carlos G. Lopez/Shutterstock.com; Author photo: © Aaron Fedor
