Comments for Shanna Germain

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Shane-o

Shane-o — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:02:17 +0000

It’s curious reading this… it’s like reading about myself. I’ve always been a loner, even when just a small child. I’ve always loved people and their idiosyncrasies, often studying them whilst out having a coffee, but I always prefer the company of myself

To me, being alone is a wonderful thing. No distractions, no noise, just me, myself, and I free to be me

I am curious on what your Myer-Brigg’s Personality Type is, Shanna. I myself am an INFP

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:01:41 +0000

I learned a lot about myself from this website about highly sensitive people. Absolutely worth the read. http://www.hsperson.com/

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by cinthiaritchie

cinthiaritchie — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 00:53:53 +0000

Thanks for writing this, Shanna, for this is totally me. I am an extreme introvert and while, like you, I can be “on” when social situations demand, I prefer to be alone. I only wish people would accept introverts instead of forever trying to change us to reflect their needs.
P.S. I experienced the same conflict at my last writing residency: Spend glorious days alone or socialize with creative, fascinating people I’d probably never have the chance to meet again. I managed to find a balance but it was very, very difficult.
Hugs,

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Renate Spreitz

Renate Spreitz — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:43:06 +0000

Thank you. This article came my way at a very good time to become more clear and less judgmental with myself.

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by John W. S. Marvin

John W. S. Marvin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 22:35:39 +0000

Do you have quiet, sane, voices in your interior monologue? Must be nice. My head is a very loud place.

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Hal Davis

Hal Davis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:13:30 +0000

Re:

== I’ve also learned to “ignore” her. She sees it, of course, as having the space and the quiet she needs.==

One of my wife’s prerequisites (she almost had a checklist): “Are you comfortable with silence?”

Nary a problem.

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by noah mclaughlin

noah mclaughlin — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 21:02:52 +0000

First of all, Shanna, this article makes me deeply appreciate you joining me for that Song Fight! concert in Seattle last summer. Thank you.

I am a hard-core extrovert, but married to an equally hard-core introvert. By hard-core, I mean I LOVE to be around people. Many people. I like to talk and connect and banter and tell stories and listen to stories. I get energized from the interaction. It’s a big part of why I chose teaching as my profession. My wife, on the other hand, finds those kinds of activities draining. She’s a very skilled hostess and a wonderful conversationalist. But she prefers small interactions, and especially ones that she can initiate or easily leave. She gets energized by being alone, reading books or working on a cross-stitch.

These conflicting social natures have been a difficult part of our dynamic, but one that we’ve managed to navigate. I’ve learned that it’s okay to go out and have a good time without her. Open mic nights and late-night Google Hangouts with several friends are highlights for me. (She, in turn, has learned to encourage me to go out and socialize without her.) I’ve also learned to “ignore” her. She sees it, of course, as having the space and the quiet she needs. I acknowledge her presence, but then go on about my business. We’ll spend hours in the library with hardly a word passed between but it’s some of our best together-time.

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Janine Ashbless

Janine Ashbless — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:01:27 +0000

Well I completely related to all this!
Thank you for a lovely article, Shanna

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by Ernesto

Ernesto — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:51:17 +0000

I understand the feeling Shanna, I have many introverted friends… and I have also some aspects of introversion myself (even when I never considered myself introverted), I like to speak to people mostly, but parties and many social events bore me to death, give a good chat with a few friends any time and I will be happy.

Well the point is this reflection was both quite interesting and quite enlightening. I know a couple of friends who would benefit from it too.

Comment on Reflections on Quiet by James Lewis

James Lewis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:29:45 +0000

Wow. In sharing these thoughts about yourself, I think you just gifted me with a bit of insight about myself as well. Self-analysis does not seem to be a particular strength of mine (he says, self-analyzing, haha). Seriously though, much of what you wrote had a very, “me too!” thing going on.
While I have no real difficulty with social situations if/when they come up (including speaking to groups, as you mentioned), at the same time, I think that I too-often take the avoidance of even basic activities and interactions to a seemingly unhealthy extreme. Combined with the fact that I spend so(!!) much time “in my own head,” the aforementioned lack of proficiency with self-analysis seems to compound the resulting frustration. This results in (a very politely stated) “Grrr!”
Nevertheless, thanks for sharing this – maybe I’m not in *quite* the pickle I’d thought.
Maybe. (: