http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200303/rauch
A truer article was never written. I’m an Introvert’s Introvert, surrounded at work by some of the yippiest nattering Extros you’ll ever encounter. I’d love to make this article required reading for them, but I’d guess that, one paragraph in, they’d become bored and start talking again. *sigh*
Extroverts are energized by people, and wilt or fade when alone. They often seem bored by themselves, in both senses of the expression. Leave an extrovert alone for two minutes and he will reach for his cell phone. In contrast, after an hour or two of being socially “on,” we introverts need to turn off and recharge. My own formula is roughly two hours alone for every hour of socializing. This isn’t antisocial. It isn’t a sign of depression. It does not call for medication. For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating. Our motto: “I’m okay, you’re okay – in small doses.”