Introverted is an interesting word. I looked it up and it doesn’t really have much to do with a preference for being alone, although that could be a result I suppose.
“Introversion: predominantly focused on internal thoughts and feelings rather than on external things or social interaction.”
That definition fits me to a T. I’ve always been popular and had a number of friends, but my focus has always been my emotions, thoughts and experiences, so I’ve been labeled an introvert. Even with friends, I’d prefer my company to other people’s. It’s just easier than having to be “on”. But I do quite well socially…maybe as a result of having a university dean as a father and a mother who had to host parties and my sister and I were the perfect little children serving hors d’oeuvres.
I think the internal focus is also why I get lost so easily. One time several years ago I had to pull into a parking lot and literally figure out, not only what street I was on and where I was going, but what city I was in and even what state. (I’ve lived in a lot of states!)
My sister, on the other hand, is definitely an extrovert. Once we were driving home from our brother’s cremation service. I was crying and talking to her about how he’d never enjoy his favorite meal again, etc., when suddenly she interrupts, points to a billboard, and says, “That’s the font I want on my whatever.” I couldn’t believe her! That’s the moment I realized just how different we were and knew that our minds would never be able to meet. But we manage to get along, mostly.