Caught in the Middle
Do you sometimes feel better after a night out with your friends, but other times feel much more revitalized spending time at home alone? You might be an ambivert—one who exhibits both extroverted and introverted traits, finding the sweet spot in between. If you're wondering if this is you, here are 10 signs you might be an ambivert, and 10 perks of being one.
1. You Enjoy Your Alone Time & Socializing
Ambiverts enjoy spending time alone and socializing with others; in other words, both activities don't leave them drained. There are some days when they itch to go out and meet up with their friends, and some days when they're perfectly fine curling up in bed with their favorite show.
2. You Don't Completely Relate to Introverts or Extroverts
You've heard it all: introverts are more reserved and love their alone time; extroverts are outgoing and love being around people. You, on the other hand, don't seem to completely lean to either side—a classic sign of an ambivert. In your eyes, you technically relate to both.
3. You're Neutral with Small Talk
You don't fear small talk with people; in fact, you probably enjoy chatting with strangers and new people on most days. But to you there's a time and a place, and if a conversation drags on too long and leads nowhere, you'd probably tap out. Otherwise, you're neutral about small talk.
4. You Love Meeting New People, But...
While introverts usually rather stick to their own group of close friends and extroverts will befriend someone new every day, ambiverts are sort of in the middle: you love meeting new people, but there's a limit to your energy as well. You won't throw yourself out there and go to every party or event, but if there's an opportunity to meet someone new, you're excited to form connections.
5. You Thrive Both in Group & Solo Projects
Ambiverts love taking on individual tasks and being a collaborator in group projects. After all, they thrive both working alone and teaming up with others. In both situations, they feel energized and aren't afraid to bring their unique ideas to the table.
6. You're Adaptable
Ambiverts almost have a mask or persona they can swap between: one moment they might be more reserved and quiet, preferring to stick alone, and the next moment they're blending in with the sociable crowd and chatting with strangers. Either way, they're able to switch their "introvert" or "extrovert" personality on and off.
7. You're Okay Being in the Center of Attention Sometimes
While introverts will do anything to stay out of the spotlight where extroverts thrive, ambiverts are okay with either. Some days they might like being in the center of attention and having everyone's eyes on them, and some days they'd rather blend in and not stand out.
8. You're Friends with All Types of People
You're not only friends with the quiet book lovers, but also the people who are the life of every party? Ambiverts are friends with all types of people, so if you find that your friend group is fairly diverse, this might be a telltale sign.
9. People Have Different Perceptions of You
Because you hang out with different groups and people, and can swap between introverted and extroverted personalities, people have varied perceptions of you. Some might think you're more quiet and shy, others might see you as friendly and outgoing.
10. Your Comfort Zone Is a Spectrum
For ambiverts, their comfort zone is a spectrum, and it changes depending on whether they're leaning more introverted or extroverted that particular day. Again, this means they might sometimes feel more comfortable being alone at home, and other times they have their weekend booked off to catch up with different friends.
Now that you're familiar with some of the signs, what are the perks of being an ambivert? Read on to learn some benefits only ambiverts are privy to.
1. Meaningful Connections
Ambiverts are able to make meaningful connections with others. Since their comfort zone is a spectrum, they're able to bond easily with strangers and close friends alike, meaning small talk and short conversations are just as welcome as deeper, more intimate discussions.
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2. Social Flexibility
Another perk of being an ambivert is the social flexibility that comes with it. After all, if you're an ambivert, you're basically a chameleon! You're able to switch between introverted and extroverted, and you can easily read the room to see how you might need to act to blend in.
3. Strong Leaders
Ambiverts can be incredibly strong leaders. Unlike introverts who would rather keep quiet and have someone else take the initiative and responsibility, or extroverts who might be expected to rule the pack, ambiverts are comfortable with both roles, and will offer to lead if need be or the opportunity arises. Because they can relate to both sides of the spectrum, they're excellent collaborators who aren't afraid of letting others temporarily take the reins from them.
4. Team Players
Ambiverts are also great team players. They're confident leaders when expected to be the main voice of the room, but when they're a collaborator part of a larger project, they're the ones who spitball their ideas out and encourage others to share the floor, making sure everyone's voices are heard.
5. Strong Communicators
Ambiverts are excellent communicators. They're comfortable being in the spotlight when it's their turn to share a story, but they're also great listeners who are highly tuned to verbal and non-verbal cues when it's their turn to sit back. It's a big reason why they're able to form such strong connections with almost anyone.
6. Experience FOMO & JOMO
Being an ambivert means you're comfortable with both going out on a Friday night and staying in. Meaning: you might feel FOMO (fear of missing out) for not attending an event, but then you feel JOMO (joy of missing out) when you realize that you made the right decision staying home. Basically, this contradictory response is just your extroverted and introverted sides at war with each other.
7. Different Friend Groups
Being a social chameleon means you probably have numerous friend groups and none of them are alike. You fit in with the quiet book kids and the loud party crowd, even though these two groups would never mesh with each other if you weren't there to bridge the gap.
8. Harmony Makers
Speaking of bridging the gap, ambiverts are great harmony makers. They can bring all sorts of people together just because their personality is so flexible. They know exactly how to make others feel comfortable so everyone feels valued, included, and heard.
9. Great Decision Makers
Ambiverts are also great decision makers. Unlike introverts who tend to overthink their choices and extroverts who might act impulsively, ambiverts know how to weigh different scenarios by giving each enough thought. This balanced approach to decision-making means they're often able to come to the right choice.
10. Lead Balanced Lives
Ambiverts tend to lead more balanced lives than introverts and extroverts, simply because they get to enjoy the best of both worlds. They know when to make time for social connections and when they're more comfortable spending a night in alone. This helps them better understand how to prioritize self-care and choose what's best for them.
