6 Tips For The Introvert Trying To Be A Better Friend
Respect their preferences to decline invitations and offer flexible options to make them feel more at ease. You just have to know how to handle things in EasternHoneys features their world. Rather than spending time making new friends constantly, they choose to invest deeply in the few they have. Show kindness and patience—it builds trust faster than any shared words.
This approach fosters trust and encourages them to share more when they feel comfortable. Naturally, introverts value their personal space and tend to be very selective regarding with whom they share it. Unlike extroverts, introverts prefer to befriend people with shared common interests. Introverts need their personal space like plants need sunlight.
Maybe your loneliness eventually leads to a low mood. You might join (or even create) a forum for something you’re passionate about or connect with people over social media. Some people might consider your life severely lacking in social connections — but they aren’t you. But perhaps some of the articles suggesting extroverted people are happier and better off kick-started your motivation to make friends. Suggest relaxed activities in smaller group settings, like visiting a quiet coffee shop or taking a nature walk.
Whether we’re feeling overwhelmed and need a few minutes alone, or feeling ignored and need someone to take interest in us and invite us into the conversation. We spend quite a bit of time reflecting on what we need. I know that it’s not easy to always have energy for everything and keeping in touch and I’ve lost more than one friendship because I became too introverted. ” or assuming they are upset, try assuming your introverted friends are just naturally quiet. Being quiet is normal for them and doesn’t mean they aren’t listening or engaged.
If you do not respect my boundaries, you do not respect me. Introverts really value their personal space and privacy, so it’s important to respect their boundaries. This means not showing up unannounced at their home and not bringing surprise guests along without letting them know in advance.
Understanding how to connect through conversation significantly nurtures that bond. If an introvert just went to a social event yesterday, they might want to space out the time before they go to their next social activity. (The “introvert hangover” is real!) This could be another reason why introverts might take a raincheck on your request to go out, as multiple social engagements can be social overload.
Ways Introverts Differ From Extroverts
A lot of introverts, if not all of them, prefer to hang out in relaxing places where they can have deep and meaningful conversations instead of going to crowded, rowdy, noisy places. With that in mind, one of the best and most considerate things you can do for an introvert when hanging out with them is to bring them to a quiet and comfortable place. The key to making friends as an introvert is not to mimic extroverted behavior, but to find ways to connect with others that align with your introverted nature.
Make them have fun, make them laugh, and be the reason why they’re having an amazing time. Introverts need friends, too, but we “quiet ones” socialize in a different way than extroverts do. Due to the way our brains are wired, socializing (and life in general) can be extremely draining for us.
These connections don’t need constant attention to stay strong—they just need care and respect. They invest emotional energy wisely, forming ties they can count on their whole life. Loyalty matters here—introverted friends show up when it truly counts, even if they cancel plans sometimes due to limited social energy. Introverts often deal with limited energy for social interactions, which can make balancing friendships tricky. They might treasure their alone time so much that keeping up with friends feels overwhelming at times.
Common Misconceptions
In group settings or large gatherings, introverted people often listen more than speak. It’s not shyness; they think before they share and prefer quality over quantity in words. A smaller gathering gives them space to connect better without feeling overwhelmed by strangers. To sustain friendships, introverts should maintain regular communication, plan get-togethers, show support for friends, and be fully present in conversations. Small, meaningful gestures can strengthen these connections.
- Being fully present during conversations and encouraging him to share more enhances your communication and strengthens your bond.
- Small, meaningful gestures can strengthen these connections.
- Even as you weigh the pros and cons of expanding your social circle, you may feel unsure where to start.
For an introvert, their personal space is something very valuable to them. It is where they can recharge themselves, feel comfortable, energized, and peaceful. Having said that, if you want to be friends with an introvert, you will have to give them space and allow them their personal time every once in a while.
Respecting these boundaries builds trust and shows you care about their comfort zone—whether it’s skipping a party or just sitting quietly together without words filling the air. It may take time for them to open up fully or trust someone new. Introverts often invest emotional energy into only a few people who truly matter to them.
” These kinds of phrases will make us feel self-conscious and less likely to open up in the future. Also, keep in mind that the more chances you take, the greater the likelihood you’ll succeed. Building true friendship requires effort and takes time.
Many introverts prefer deeper conversations and close bonds over casual connections. This blog will show how introverted friendships work, their struggles, and their strengths. Many people mistakenly believe that introverts are shy or anti-social. In reality, introverts value deep connections but need more personal space and quiet time to recharge. They are often great listeners and prefer meaningful conversations over small talk. This knowledge helps you build stronger connections with your introverted friends.