In Praise of Introspective People

However healthy it often is to try to fit in and assume we must just be like everyone else, there are also benefits in sometimes accepting that we might in the end not be and this needn’t be a cause of concern or shame.

FURTHER READING

“However healthy it often is to try to fit in and assume we must just be like everyone else, there are also benefits in sometimes accepting that we might in the end be simply rather odd — though this needn’t be a cause of particularly concern or shame. Perhaps we simply do belong to the peculiar tribe of those who love — above pretty much anything else — to introspect, that is, to try to make sense of themselves, to process their emotions, to analyse their immaturities and to understand the psychological mechanisms they inhabit. We, the happy odd few, belong to that minor clan of the avid self-knowers who take entirely to heart the Ancient Greek command to ‘Know yourself’...”

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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Deanca Rensyta

Title animation produced in collaboration with

Vale Productions

[theschooloflifetv]

What are your most valued tools or techniques for introspection?

[bmo]

Learning about oneself can be like exploring the universe. It can be never ending

[drumdadsdl]

I personally very much enjoy the company of those who are self-reflective, curious, and introspective, as opposed to those who simply want to be entertained all the time. The shallowness of the world at large today bores me to tears..

[shivamthodge]

Loneliness doesn't trigger introspection rather introspection triggers loneliness. Introspecting about introspection is very enlightening.

[cubillo]

Felt identified with almost every word of this. It is a relief to find myself not being odd but understood!

[sunthrutrees]

I often deal with shame for being so introspective. I am perpetually obsessed with my little thought laboratory in my mind, understanding the mechanisms of logic, and tampering with the nature of perception to see what it reveals. It appears that I live an overly simplistic life, almost like a monastic. But as I get older, I thoroughly enjoy nothing more than gaining more insight, growing spiritually and tending to my garden of ideas and values. Introspective people are endlessly creative, the only obstacle is creating a meaningful way in which that creativity can shine. That's when the shame leaves and authenticity flourishes. Thank you for this video.

[rdobery]

My advice to everyone: Slow Down. Give yourself time to process and understand the moment that just passed because, guess what, we are now in the next moment.

[shubh]

Socrates a millenia ago said, "Know thyself", and we all took that personally. :D

[rociomiranda]

This is me. I like solitude. Emotionally needy people drain and exhaust me, although I try to be kind and listen. I like my own company and that of my dogs and cats because they don't place demands on me. I can read or write or think, and they just curl up next to me, inobstrusive, warm, real. I suffer from anxiety, and solitude and introspection help me to ease it and deal with it.

[stories-of-elle]

Recently I've been in social interaction with people that pointed out my introversion so much that I really started to feel bad about it. This made me realize that it is not a bad thing altogether. There are cool parts of it that maybe I should bring more into my focus.

[coolbrotherf]

Endlessly curious and attentive is what my personality is. I'm usually the quietest person in any room, not because I have nothing to say, but because I would rather listen to others and analyze their words. Probably helped me a lot in school as I was happy to sit and listen to people anyway.

[vedant.amin]

the thing about sitting on bed with a notebook and pen and trying to understand life
is one of my daily activities.

[Education-mtkr]

It's really amazing to fall in love with another introspective person; they will ask questions you haven't asked yourself yet. And they will accept the answers without judgement.

[HadesonLenox]

As someone who has always been naturally inclined to introspection and contemplation, the most challenging part for me has been finding the right balance between just doing enough to fit in at work, social circles and relationships while also maintaining my idiosyncratic self and autonomy. Good news is this to and fro dance does seem to get seamless over time. Bad news is playing the normal fit in part to keep up the charade is always work no matter how good you get at it because it is just not your truest self.

[WillDraco]

There's a great word for the act of mental introspection: Metacognition.

[VONmusics]

Being introspective is my most prized quality. It helps build your understanding of the world from the inside out rather than waiting for the world to tell you who you are and what to think. It makes you an individual. If you can harness and share your introspection with confidence, love, and empathy, the world is yours. Never live by someone else’s view of reality. Develop your own. Happiness awaits you

[YuyiLeal]

This describes me so well...wow!

To everyone who is like this, I send you my most sincere best wishes, and much love!

[missmia]

I related to this. Introspection is a great tool. In fact I don’t think it can ever end, there are too many questions to answer and one question can prompt another one. Curiosity is one of the great joys in life I find.

[yolo]

Since Covid, I’ve found philosophy for my mental well-being, and spend couple of hours a day learning about what life is and how to best live my life. I no longer pressure myself to fit in with the herd and enjoy spending my time with introspection. A simple life brings peace.

[T_Alexa]

"You have to get lost before you can find yourself.”- John Green