12 Things Introverts Do That Extroverts Don't Understand

Introverts – do you relate to these things?

A person wearing grey loungewear and white socks sits comfortably in a beige armchair by a window, reading a book. They are smiling and looking away from the book. A small wooden side table with a potted plant is next to the armchair.

Introverts and extroverts experience life in many different ways, and extroverts often find their quiet, reclusive counterparts quite confusing. Here are 12 common introvert habits that high-energy, social folks will never understand.

1. Feeling immense relief when plans are canceled.

A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue polka dot blouse, is joyfully raising both fists in the air. Her eyes are closed, and she has a wide, happy smile on her face, conveying a sense of excitement and triumph. The background is plain gray.

Extraverts generally get super-excited about get-togethers and events, and hype themselves up as the event date approaches. As such, they’re devastated when plans get canceled or rescheduled. Meanwhile, introverts often feel relief when plans fall through because they won’t have to struggle through unwanted social interactions and uncomfortable sensory overstimulation.

2. Avoiding people they know when they run into them.

Two women are outdoors on a sunny day. The woman on the left is smiling and waving while wearing a denim shirt. The woman on the right, wearing a gray t-shirt and sunglasses on her head, is making a surprised face and touching her temple. Blurred street scene behind them.

If an extravert sees a colleague at the grocery store, they’ll go over to say hello. An introvert, however, will avoid them or leave the store entirely. Some extreme introverts will even memorize their neighbors’ routines in order to carefully plan schedules so they never have to speak to them.

3. Getting anxious when dealing with unfamiliar circumstances.

A man with medium-length hair and a beard sits pensively on a wooden bench, resting his chin on his clasped hands. He wears a black leather jacket and looks off into the distance with a thoughtful expression. The background is blurred and features soft natural light.

A lot of introverts get seriously anxious if they have to deal with unexpected events. They plan everything in advance, order food online, and may panic when the phone or doorbell rings unexpectedly. Extraverts who go with the flow and adapt to anything that arises usually can’t relate to this experience.

4. Taking a long time to make decisions about everything.

A woman with long blonde hair sits outdoors on a bench, resting her chin on her hand. She looks thoughtful, gazing into the distance. She is wearing a light denim shirt over a white top. The background is blurred, showing lush green trees.

Most extroverts are “quick on the draw” when it comes to decision-making. In contrast, introverts (who are prone to overthinking) take a while to weigh options and consider every approach before making a decision. This can infuriate extroverts who simply want to make a choice and get on with things.

5. Preferring to communicate via text rather than speaking.

A man with a beard and short hair, wearing a white dress shirt, looks thoughtfully out of a window while holding a smartphone. He is leaning on a window ledge in an indoor setting with a plant in the background.

Communicating via text allows introverts to gather their thoughts and obsess over every possible interpretation before expressing what it is they think or feel. They generally do this to avoid any awkwardness or miscommunication. Extraverts will simply blurt out whatever’s on their mind and then redirect the conversation however it flows from there.

6. Thinking about all possible outcomes and repercussions before taking any action.

Whereas extroverts are known for acting before thinking—and often regretting hasty actions—introverts will consider the long-term repercussions of everything they do before taking any action about it. This often prevents them from making poor decisions, but it can also prevent them from experiencing some of the spectacular adventures that extroverts enjoy.

7. Focusing on potential rather than pursuing their wants.

A man with a beard wearing a white shirt and black suspenders stands outdoors, leaning on a black railing. He gazes thoughtfully into the distance. The background features modern buildings with large windows and a neutral color palette.

For example, if an extrovert has a crush on someone, they’ll act on it in the hope of cultivating a relationship with that person. Meanwhile, an introvert often keeps their yearning in the realm of imagined possibility, rather than risk potential rejection, or having their daydreams crushed by harsh reality.

8. Needing time to adapt and get comfortable in new situations and circumstances.

A woman in a plaid shirt and jeans sits on a wooden floor, surrounded by cardboard moving boxes. She rests her chin on her hand, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. The room has large windows, some sunlight, and a potted plant in the background.

An extravert can move into a new apartment in an unfamiliar city, sleep like a baby, and make friends at the cafe across the road within days. An introvert will need significantly more time to adjust to the new scents and sounds of the place, and take weeks to scope out their surroundings.

9. Feeling uncomfortable with casual physical touch or affection.

A young woman with long brown hair wearing a black blazer and light pink blouse sits in a warmly lit cafe, extending her hand forward with a welcoming smile. The background features modern decor with hanging lights, wooden accents, and large windows.

While extroverts may greet each other (and strangers) with hugs and/or cheek kisses, many introverts balk at physical touch with those they don’t know well. They might even position themselves across tables from those who touch others during conversations, and will only hug those with whom they’re comfortable. In time.

10. Revisiting favorite media repeatedly.

A man sits on a bright yellow couch, holding a TV remote, with a beagle dog by his side. He is casually dressed in a plaid shirt and ripped jeans. A plant and shelves are visible in the background, creating a cozy living room setting.

Many introverts will happily revisit their favorite films, TV series, and books over and over again because they appreciate the cozy, comfortable familiarity of doing so. This will boggle most extroverts’ minds, as they get bored easily and need entirely new stimuli to keep getting thrilling highs from dopamine spikes.

11. Lying to get out of social obligations.

Young woman with long red hair, wearing a light gray sweater, stands against a solid blue background. She is looking at the camera with a slight, relaxed smile and has a light facial expression.

Extraverts who don’t want to attend an event or get-together will generally say exactly that and offer to reschedule when things are more convenient. In contrast, many introverts are so conflict-avoidant that they’ll come up with excuses for why they can’t attend, like a major health issue or family emergency.

12. Spending extended periods of time without any social interaction.

A person wearing a green jacket and hat lies on the grass in a mountainous area. The background features a blurred view of green hills with patches of snow, and pink wildflowers are in the foreground.

Extroverts thrive on other people’s energy and company so much that it’s inconceivable to them that others can remain alone for long periods of time without getting lonely. Since introverts are so comfortable in their own company, they can spend almost indefinite time alone and rarely yearn for other humans’ companionship.