[lightworker888]

my DH did quite a bit of studying about the difference between the two types and he found out that an introvert expends energy around people and therefore needs to recharge with"alone" time. The extrovert needs people around to recharge and will seek out situations that will help him/her recharge. That can take many forms like telephoning, visiting, shopping etc. It puts the person in a situation of interaction with others.

You cannot really tell if someone is an introvert or extrovert just from their style of interaction with others. Some apparently outgoing joking personalities are often really introverts who retreat to their homes to recharge and are very quiet at home.

With most couples, there is often one of each so it becomes a balancing act. My DH can only take so much "outside" activity so I have learned to be OK with going out on my own to get myself recharged! It has taken a long time to really "get" that we are both OK, just different and to be able to support each others styles and to recognize my own need to care for myself. I think I tried to get him to be different so that I could get out enough! It is a blessing that he was interested in pursuing the research enough that we could both grow in our understanding and appreciation of our differences.

LW888