The Observation Trap: Why introverts aren't "zoning out" they’re data mining.

I love walking because it provides me with the luxury of being present without any interruption and allowing my mind to wander in harmony with the salty breeze that blows from the waters.

Yes, you were right; there are weird people like myself who love not running into anyone. This doesn’t mean we’re anti-social but rather enjoying the company of nature without any disturbance.

I have been an introvert since I could remember; but I came to realize this only after quite some time due to the reason that the world fails to understand the concept of introversion and hence gives a lot of importance to it.

Add to this your tendency to be shy and thus suffer from social anxiety disorder, and you are likely to hear lots of insulting terms hurled your way such as “snob,” “arrogant,” “aloof,” and most insulting of all, “antisocial.” All of these are totally wrong as anyone who knows me both on and off-line will vouch.

But there’s more to this. Here are 5 strange behaviors of introverts that fellow introverts can relate to.

Ode to Solitude

Right from the beginning of the relationship I tried to correct the impression that my partner had of me. I am basically a simpleton. Any expectations of seeing the city girl in me would be utterly dashed!

This does not mean that I don’t love life; I do! The thing is, my idea of enjoyment is not necessarily the same as what is currently trendy and fashionable. And that is perfectly okay because fashion is not something that interests me.

That's the importance of weekends – when one can take it easy.

Not anymore does one get to sleep late. The weekends start very early; well, not because one has to but because one likes it to be so. At times I go trail walking and thankfully there are various trails available not too far by drive.

I love the tranquility away from the noise of man and am happy to listen to the sounds of birds chirping and trees swaying and rivers murmuring.

Status of observer engaged

Chit chatting is a culture in the Northeast. One never gets to the point directly; it is through chitchat of the weather, how kids are, how grandkids are that the point will eventually be made clear. As a side note, the weather is either too warm or too cold, and the kids and grandkids are doing good.

Gosh, I can predict how every single discussion will play out even before it takes place. I don’t underestimate the value of such social props, but they bore me to no end.

It’s possible I am a grump. Perhaps I dislike the way I hear myself talking like others. It's just so exhausting to listen to their constant yak!

I don't talk much. In a place where loudness is thought to be charismatic and constant yacking is seen as intelligence, I am a bit of an oddball. But on the positive side, a whole world of things can be learned by watching others.

My phone is off (as am I)

I have contacts but no friends. My reasons for not making new friends include the fact that I am satisfied with those that I already have; I do not need friends in order to win popularity, and finally, making new friends drains a lot of energy.

That may seem a bit far-fetched, but I believe that those that God intends to bring into my life will do so naturally without any pushing or pulling.

Lastly, I never put my phone on alert mode. Ringing sounds are some of the most disturbing sounds in my life. This is perhaps the reason why my phone has the smallest contact list possible.

Social networking sites? I like solitude better.

Do you know that I don’t have any personal social media?

You may feel like you can’t function without it, but I think it is critical to keep my mind, body, and technology free from clutter for both my mental well-being and productivity.

I prefer to engage with myself rather than scrolling through my feed.

Family members are annoyed with me for giving out my contact information infrequently. It does not appeal to me to join the never-ending WhatsApp groups with daily greetings and meme forwards. I wake up early in the morning, at four, and while I work, I do not want anyone to ask me why I did not respond to their phone calls.

It may sound bizarre to some people, but I have no desire to know about other people’s lives. I am fine existing within my mind or enjoying the silence of tea.

To me, silence is a goldmine. I find myself having my most meditative experiences when I can indulge in the pleasures of every sip, every bite, and even watch the white tracks left behind by planes instead of being immersed in a barrage of noises.

A view from my room

There is nothing like the way I have created my living quarters for myself, my place of work, and especially, my bedroom. My own little hideaway is filled with a king-sized bed and candles with various aromas.

It’s no surprise that I always seem to be the one making my way out of the few parties I go to. I am eager to make my way back home and rejuvenate myself. Very seldom do I invite anyone into my sanctuary since I can be a touchy soul about energy levels. I am able to feel it quite strongly in my sanctuary that has to remain calm. However, my partner is an exception.

This same sensitivity goes hand in hand with my approach to travel. When it comes to traveling with anyone else other than my partner and my immediate family, it becomes a challenging experience both in terms of planning and being comfortable enough to enjoy the experience without feeling stressed.

If this sounds like “Oscar the Grouch” energy, it most certainly is. Anyone in the know would simply nod their head and state, “Homegirl got that energy awareness game strong.” It is what it is and she does not care about it one bit.

How do you spend your perfect Saturday morning?