Having a Quiet Interior in a Noisy World
Quiet people are a perplexing point of equilibrium in a hectic world. Their calm gaze, great manners, and groundedness are perceived as shyness. However, the underlying truth is that they have a great attitude towards life and have worked hard to find inner peace.
As Albert Einstein wisely said, the monotony and solitude of a tranquil life are what motivates the creative mind. Nevertheless, as strange as it may seem, this peaceful image doesn’t resonate well in today’s society. Susan Cain reminds us of this in her books about the quiet or introverted personality.
“In quiet places, reason abounds.”
-Adlai E. Stevenson-
For example, it’s common for teachers to misidentify students who are relaxed, peaceful, and quiet. They might see them instead as apathetic, shy, and withdrawn. They are kids “without personality” as some teachers might joke. In our society, we still place more value on people who participate and make their voice heard.
It is important to remember that no personalities are better or worse than others. The wide spectrum of human behavior and attitudes is what truly enriches the world. Each one of us has something exceptional to offer to those around us. That being said, we still need mutual understanding and awareness of the treasure behind each type of personality.
Quiet people’s brains
The brains of quiet people work a little differently. This idea might seem surprising, but it isn’t new. In the 60’s, the well-known psychologist Hans Eysenck introduced the term cortical arousal theory. He used this concept to explain why quieter people tend to be so different than extroverts.
Other studies confirm the hypothesis that Eysenck established in his day. In 2012, researchers at Harvard University did a study to further explore this idea. Let’s look at the basis for the study and its findings:
- Extroverted people need more dopamine to be happy. Consequently, they seek out new experiences and need more frequent social contact to reach their threshold of well-being.
- For quiet people, the opposite is true. They feel happy with a lower level of dopamine. When they go over their threshold, they experience anxiety, pressure, and exhaustion. As a result, they feel happiest in relaxed, harmonious situations.
- In addition, researchers have observed structural differences in the prefrontal cortex of quiet people. They have more grey matter, which is related to abstract thinking. This shows us that this type of personality tends to be more reflective and introspective.
Habits of quiet people
Just because someone is quiet doesn’t mean they are happier, more capable, or more intelligent. Active, nervous, and extroverted people can be all those things as well. What it means is that they see the world in a different way.
They relate differently to their surroundings and their daily habits are different. Being sensitive to that will help you understand them better. In addition, if you understand, you can imitate whatever you decide could be beneficial.
“There are times when silence has the loudest voice.”
-Leroy Brownlow-
Characteristics of Quiet People
- They enjoy solitude. Therefore, they know that being alone is the best path towards self-knowledge. Alone, they awaken their creativity, handle their fears, and set goals.
- They are selective. Quiet people know what is best for them, as well as what upsets them. They know what to set aside and what to take advantage of. That’s why they are good at choosing who they want in their lives.
- They don’t take things personally. People who are obsessed with disagreement, friction, and failure tend to suffer. It is important to know how to take a step back and get some perspective. Quiet people know how to keep a healthy distance between themselves and others. They also understand that everything in life is a process. The important thing is to move forward as lightly as possible.
- They take time to see, listen, feel, and learn…Nothing is as rewarding as connecting with your surroundings with all your senses. Quiet people have a tranquil attitude, but on the inside, they are hungry for feelings and experiences. That said, their ideal learning channel starts from silence. They have an observant gaze and listening ears that can distinguish sounds from mere noise.
- Slower is better. In a noisy and rushed world, quiet people are the only ones who aren’t in a hurry. That’s because they know where they are going. They know themselves well enough to know their own rhythm, their pauses, their music. The best path to achieve their goals is clear to them. Quiet people prefer to take things one at a time. A slow and peaceful day just feels better.
In conclusion, let’s not underestimate the power that quiet and peaceful people can have. Their inner peace and relaxed charisma can teach us great things. Sometimes the best revolutions start from silence.