29 Quotes by Laurie A. Helgoe

Solitude became, for me, an interesting mosaic of broken pieces, a place where the neglected parts of myself get collected—for better and for worse, sometimes barely tolerated and sometimes arranged into lovely patterns.

Here’s a well-kept secret: introversion is not defined by lack. Introversion, when embraced, is a wellspring of riches.

Introverts spend a lot of time pondering the big questions. Our love of ideas often inspires us to pursue noble work. But, as we soon find, these jobs don't pay us for sitting in a soft chair and thinking big thoughts. Once on the job, we discover – to our horror – that we are expected to carry out the big ideas, and that usually means talking to PEOPLE. Usually, by the time we discover this, we are up to our ears in debt – not just for the student loans, but also to our own ideals.

I am rarely bored alone; I am often bored in groups and crowds.

Quiet is might. Solitude is strength. Introversion is power.

Let’s clear one thing up: Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people. We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.

Reading is like travel, allowing you to exit your own life for a bit, and to come back with a renewed, even inspired, perspective.

A good rule of thumb is that any environment that consistently leaves you feeling bad about who you are is the wrong environment.

Whatever kind of introvert you are, some people will find you ‘too much’ in some ways and ‘not enough’ in others.