Introverts and extroverts: can they have flourishing relationships? Short answer: yes. With the right communication and the willingness to compromise (from both parties), an introvert-extrovert can be wonderfully rewarding.
1. Communicate your needs.
Plenty of people still associate introversion with social awkwardness and reclusiveness, which isn’t necessarily true. Introverts are simply people who need alone time to recharge, while extroverts get energized by social interaction. Talk about your needs and define your boundaries so that you can both keep them in mind when you experience some friction.
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2. Do more than accept your differences—celebrate them.
You and your partner see the world in very different ways. You can either tolerate your differences, or embrace them. Doing the latter allows you to learn from each other and enrich each other’s experiences. Plenty of introverts appreciate how their extrovert partners enrich their social lives, while extroverts value introverts’ more thoughtful approach to things.
Go to the next page to read more introvert-extrovert relationship tips.
3. Compromise, compromise, compromise.
This goes for all relationships, but introverts especially should avoid using their introversion as an excuse to get out of things they don’t want to do. For example, if you have to beg for time with your partner or if they refuse to go to social events that are important to you, then that’s not introversion, that’s just selfishness.
Similarly, you should learn to give your introverted partner some alone time every day so that they can recharge.
Photo: Dreamstime
4. Take turns deciding what you do on date nights.
Introverts may be happy with just cuddling and marathoning Game of Thrones, but plenty of extroverts may end up bored out of their minds after several nights of just that. Mix it up. Have a quiet weekend, then go rock climbing or dancing the next!
5. Have a game-plan when socializing.
When you’re out, one of you might want to spend more time socializing while the other might want to head home early. Don’t take it badly if your partner wants to stay and have fun with other people, or if you’re the extrovert, don’t pressure your partner to socialize. Check in with each other throughout the evening to see how the other is feeling.
READ: Introverted parents birth introverted children, but is it permanent?
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