The Introvert’s Bill of Rights—What Introverts Deserve in Life

The Introvert’s Bill of Rights is a declaration of independence—the 10 inalienable rights that introverts are entitled to in our pursuit of health and happiness.

As an introvert, I hold these truths to be self-evident.

If you’re an introvert, I urge you to adopt them too.

THE INTROVERT’S BILL OF RIGHTS

I Have the Right to Remain Silent—not because I’ve been accused of some crime, but because silence is no crime. Sometimes I just don’t want to talk, or be talked to. Other times I’m simply listening silently, contemplating silently, or recharging silently. Silence doesn’t hurt; it helps.

I Have the Right to Seek Solitude—to find or create the revitalizing alone time I need to stay psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, socially, and physically healthy in our frenzied, stressful world. My alone time isn’t about rejecting anyone; it’s about protecting myself.

I Have the Right to Contemplate—to take all the time I need to choose my words, weigh my decisions, and consider my actions—before I act (so I can prepare), after (so I can change course if necessary), or both. I am, therefore I think.

I Have the Right to Seek Depth—genuine substance and significance in my conversations, my activities, and my relationships. Small talk, shallow pursuits, and superficial people leave me unsatisfied and wanting. I need real human beings with real talk and real pursuits.

I Have the Right to Focus Intently—to avoid multitasking, interruptions, and haste so I can concentrate solely on whatever or whoever is right in front of me. The next thing can wait.

I Have the Right to Be Heard—to be truly listened to and understood—minus multitasking, interruptions, and haste—not because I’m more important or deserving than other people, but because I’m equally important and deserving.

I Have the Right to Share What I Want, When I Want, How I Want—to decide for myself, without pressure or judgment, what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. My thoughts, feelings, and expressions are mine first—and last if I so choose.

I Have the Right to Be Seen as Perfectly Normal—or at least as normal as the extroverts of the world. My introversion isn’t a character flaw or a malady to be cured, not any more than extroversion. It’s a healthy, natural part of who I am.

I Have the Right Not to Defend Myself—to let my introversion stand without justification or apology. I don’t expect the extroverts of the world to explain how they tick; I don’t have to explain how I tick either.

I Have the Right to Be Defined by What I Am, Not What I Am Not—by my many natural strengths, not by what others may perceive as shortcomings; by what I have to offer, not by what others think I lack or need to work on. I’m not an extrovert wannabe; I’m an introvert.

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Copyright © 2019-2023, Peter Vogt. All rights reserved.