January 2nd is World Introvert Day!

In a world where everything seems to be designed for the extroverts, it’s sorta nice to know that there’s a day for us. After all, there’s a day for trees, step parents and even for kissing. It only makes sense for there to be a World Introvert Day (WID) right??

If you’re new to the online community of Introverts (innies), then you probably have a lot of questions regarding WID. You may be wondering what this day means and who came up with this idea in the first place. You may also ask why it’s so important and how to celebrate this wonderful day!

What is World Introvert Day?

There’s a day for pretty much everything at this point, and for once, we introverts aren’t left out. January 2nd was declared World Introvert Day simply to recognize and honor the fact that some people prefer their own company, and aren’t as outgoing as others.

The Origin

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World Introvert Day is actually pretty recent and was first recognized in 2011. We have psychologist Felicitas Heyne to thank for that. It was her blog post that introduced the idea to the world, having argued that it is the perfect way to “sharpen the awareness of a world on behalf of the introverts’ distinctiveness that has increasingly been devoting itself to the cult around extraversion.”

Thus, World Introvert Day was born on January 2nd. The day after the festivities of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year have ended when we introverts have been pushed to our limits by friends and family and need a day (or five!) to recharge. 

Why is World Introvert Day So Important?

Did you know that almost 57% of people across the globe identify as introverts? That’s a pretty huge percentage, considering that introverts are stereotyped as the ‘odd one out’ or as misfits in society. Since introverts make up over half of the world’s population according to some research, it’s only fair that such a large group of like individuals are recognized in such a way. 

Celebrating World Introvert Day gives introverts a chance to feel like part of something larger than ourselves. It’s a chance to let that “shy” kid who eats alone at lunch or sits at the back of class know that he/she isn’t abnormal and his/her feelings, interactions, and mannerisms are just as important as the social butterfly or class clown. 

By shedding light on what it means to be an introvert, our extroverted counterparts can better  appreciate us for who, and more importantly, how we are, and better  understand our contributions to society in every arena.

Why We Should Be Proud To Be Introverts 

There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert, and for the people in the back, this is something we should embrace! 

Did you know that some of the world’s greatest inventors, creatives, and leaders were/are introverts? That’s right. Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Elon Musk, Barack Obama, and Micheal Jordan are all introverts!

Introversion is not a disability, and in many ways, it’s your superpower, especially in this pandemic, where the “new normal” is where we thrive.

How to ‘Celebrate’ World Introvert Day

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The best part about World Introvert Day is that you aren’t expected to do anything out of character. This isn’t pride, so there isn’t a need to go out and march or parade (can you imagine an introvert parade, lol!). There are no decorations to hang, or gatherings to attend unless of course, you want to (socially distanced… hehe).

Just sit back, relax, and feel proud to know that there are billions of others like you out there. You are not alone, nor are you less than. You’re exactly how you’re meant to be.

Happy World Introvert Day!

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