Ambivert

Recently, I've been obsessed with personality type.  Ever since my friend and her boyfriend said they were a perfect match according to Keirsey's 16 personality types.  I was all "I'm going to find my perfect match!"

I took the quiz five or six times, getting something different for each.  Then I looked back over my blog posts from 2007 (dare you to go there too, those were some of my best posts.) On July 20th I took the quiz and was INFP.  

Then here is the conundrum.

Hallie, you are an INTROVERT?

Yes.  I am.  A tad more introverted.  Let me explain why.

According to Wikipedia:
"Extraversion is "the act, state, or habit of being predominantly concerned with and obtaining gratification from what is outside the self".^[4] An extroverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone. They tend to be energized when around other people, and they are more prone to boredom when they are by themselves."

I think this is where we seem to confuse introverts: "Introversion is not seen as being identical to shy or to being a social outcast. Introverts prefer solitary activities over social ones, whereas shy people (who may be extroverts at heart) avoid social encounters out of fear.^[9]"

I am not shy.  I do not fear social encounters.  

I need alone time.  To "recharge," extroverts will seek out social situations.  I will not.
I don't really like people.  I like a few, and I am very energetic and over-sharing with them.  I have a few very deep and lasting relationsips.
On a first date?  It is all about the other person.  I don't do much talking.  It takes a while for strangers to get to know me because I am not open unless someone with whom I am comfortable is near me.

OK Wikipedia just blew my MIND!  This explains everything!

Ambiversion

Although many people view being introverted or extroverted as a question with only two possible answers, most contemporary trait theories measure levels of extraversion-introversion as part of a single, continuous dimension of personality, with some scores near one end, and others near the half-way mark,^[10] see the Big Five personality traits. Ambiversion is falling more or less directly in the middle.^[4][11] An ambivert is moderately comfortable with groups and social interaction, but also can enjoy time alone, away from a crowd.