14 Negative Traits Of Introverts And How To Overcome Them

Even with their quiet, harmless and calm personalities, there are negative traits of introverts that make them unattractive and also make people uncomfortable around them.

As an introvert, I know how frustrating it is for people when they find me interesting and want to get closer but I deliberately but respectfully do not give them the opportunity.

I do not want to engage with people in small talk or engage in loud laughter because I do not allocate energy for such.

This might be a bad habit of introverts but they have to look out for themselves and what makes them happy.

Related: What Are The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Introverts?

Also, I know how bad it feels for an introvert to be called up to deliver a speech or address an audience. He would want to decline if he can.

Bad habits of introverts make things difficult for themselves and others

Discerning introverts know they make things difficult for people and also for themselves, but sometimes they can’t help it.

Though they do this effortlessly, they sometimes don’t know how to be different because that’s what they feel comfortable doing.

However, being emotionally intelligent makes the difference because you will know when your attitude is having a negative effect on others.

If I get these vibes from my fellow introvert, I give them reasonable space for them to be comfortable because I relate.

If you are an introvert, these scenarios would be very familiar to you, and if you are not one, you must have encountered one who to you seemed weird.

As an introvert all my life, I am in a good position to point out a few negative traits of introverts and how they can ease up to make things easier for themselves and others.

Negative traits of introverts

As a personality type who does not like the crowd or be noticed, introverts are seen as weak. That’s not the case, they actually know what they are doing.

You will know how wild an introvert could be when he is comfortable with you, and that’s a privilege to you lol. They are extra outgoing in their comfort zone.

Here are the negative traits of introverts you might find annoying:

1. Uncommunicative/Shutting people out

This is the most noticeable bad habit of an introvert when you are up close, trying to get familiar. Most times, it would be a hard task to get introverts talking.

While finding your way around them for any reason, it is frustrating when they reveal little or no information at all.

Why we introverts do this might not be the same across the board, but the feeling it elicits from people is the same – contempt and frustration.

How to be communicative as an introvert

• Believe in yourself
• Practice communication in your closet
• You can speak without revealing much
• Know when your attitude is hurting others
• Even if you can’t speak much, at least give the audience

2. Introverts hardly reach out to friends and well-wishers

One of the widespread negative traits of introverts is not reaching out to friends and well-wishers to check on them.

I remember my cousins and aunties always complaining I don’t check on them. They are always the ones reaching out no matter how long and I will promise to keep in touch and will never do until they reach out again.

The reason for this behaviour is not that I don’t remember them or think about them, but sheer reluctance occasioned by avoiding too much small talk.

How to for the habit of reaching out to friends and well-wishers

• Understand you are not an island and so need to keep in touch with your close cycle
• Be deliberate, overcome the boring feeling that comes with talking to people
• Age has a lot to do with introversion, older people tend to overcome their negative introvert traits

3. Some introverts are snobbish

Another negative traits of introverts is being snobbish. As a discerning introvert, I can be naturally snobbish and unwelcoming.

Not because I hate the next person, but because I don’t need distraction or not ready to have someone in my space at that particular time.

Related: How do I know if I am An introvert? 17 Sure Signs

It does not have to do with the person I am snubbing, rather, they are just unfortunate to be in my space at that moment.

Here are a few ways to avoid people respectfully without appearing like a snob.

• Know that everybody deserves respect, no matter how lowly
• If you are in a hurry or don’t want to engage with people, decline politely and give reasons, even though you don’t owe anybody that
• Evaluate the reasons why you snob if they are worth it

4. Introverts seldom honour invitations

One of the strongest negative traits of introverts is their penchant to not honour events. They usually find reasons why they couldn’t attend.

I can relate with this because I detested going to weddings, funerals and other public events that would require me to sit down for hours.

Introverts find this boring and energy-sapping. However, they attend when it is inevitable and would ruin their reputation.

Tips to help you honour invitations

• See events as a means to network rather than what it is
• When you honour people’s events, they will honour yours
• You can go earlier and let the celebrant see you and then leave

5. Fear of taking risks

Fear of risking is one other bad habits of introverts. Some introverts prefer their comfort zone to step into unfamiliar terrain. They rather make do with the certain than venture into the uncertain.

This is mostly a result of failure or judgment by people. This might save them from danger, but it also shuts them out of wins that are embedded in spontaneous ventures.

Failure, disappointments and judgmental people are all parts of life that we should not run away from.

Tips on taking risks as an introvert

• Overcome the fear of failure
• Focus on the gain
• Weight the possible results of risks

6. Overly sensitive

Introverts are very sensitive people who analyse every situation and how it affects them.

No doubt, being sensitive can have some benefits including having very rich inner life and empathy.

But it doesn’t go without its stress, anxiety and relationship challenges, including inappropriate emotional responses to situations and difficulty adapting to new circumstances.

Tips on how to handle sensitiveness

• Have your own space – house, office, tools etc
• Identify and avoid things that trigger your emotions
• Be self-aware

7. Introverts don’t ask for help

Introverts have the bad habit of not asking for help and trying to do everything by themselves.

This is partly because they don’t also so much as people ask for help from them, and so they find it difficult to ask for help.

They try to singlehandedly achieve whatever they set their minds on. This makes the task stressful and bulky for them, especially when they are not vast in the task.

It would consume their time, thinking and other resources which would be minimal if they get extra hands.

Tips on asking for help

• First of all, know and accept you can’t do everything
• Seek collaboration
• Understand that people would be willing to help
• If it warrants hiring someone, do so

8. Too much analysis

Another bad habit of the introvert is too much analyzing of situations and things. This happens because of their over-sensitivity.

An introvert will take their time to scrutinize to make sure everything is in order. While this is not bad, it should not be a hindrance to growth and progress.

Sometimes, this wastes time and prevent strategic actions because you must not figure everything out before taking a step.

Tips on preventing too much analysis

• While you shouldn’t jump to conclusion, understand the benefits of time
• Study the situation prior to the crucial time
• Identify low-priority issues and don’t give them much attention
• Minimize too much thinking and handle issues as they come

9. Delay in taking action/decision

Another negative trait of introverts is being slow in taking action or decisions.

Just as they analyze too much, it culminates in taking so much time to decide on which step to take.

This could be beneficial in some cases where a critical decision is involved, but it could also be a problem when it is time-bound.

Tips on how to overcome delays in taking action

• Always be conscious of time
• Look for the right data that can speed up analysis and decision
• Remove any emotional attachments and think clearly
• Look for enough information that would speed up the action

10. Haughtiness/bloated superiority

To be haughty means to feel and act arrogantly superior to others. Some introverts are misunderstood to be haughty when actually, they do not want to small-talk or when they need to be alone to recharge.

However, you are likelier to find haughty people in the midst of introverts than elsewhere.

Because most introverts are satisfied with themselves and don’t seek help, they look down on others.

This is relatable to me because I am one and understand this perfectly. However, maturity takes care of this in most introverted people.

Tips on overcoming haughtiness

• Do not judge people
• Put yourself in their shoes
• Respect people irrespective of status
• Understand that everyone has some value

11. Envy extroverts when they are getting the attention

The outgoing nature of extroverts makes them the life of the party and aggregable with people. They don’t find it difficult to mix up and make friends.

This hurts most introverts and they nurse envy and contempt for the extrovert. The proverbial – “hate what you can’t have.”

This envy however finds a way to show itself in the attitude of the introvert toward the outgoing extrovert.

Tips on controlling envy of the extrovert

• Respect differences
• Focus on your strengths, the extrovert got weaknesses too
• Cultivate love and friendliness in your heart
• You can also gain the attention as an introvert by standing out in your skill

12. Averse to teamwork

Introverts believe working solo makes them more creative and result-oriented.

They also think that working as a team brings about conflicts, drama, and arguments which he is not ready for.

Teamwork saps their energy which results in a bland and unproductive workflow.

This makes them reclusive without having reasonable input as they only drift along.

Tips on how to overcome being averse to teamwork

• Accepting that you can’t avoid people and working with them is the first step to overcoming aversion to people.
• Look at the benefits of working with people instead of the downsides
• Approach teamwork with a positive attitude
• Concentrate on making an input toward the targeted result

13. Bottled-up emotions

Introverts don’t always forget and forget. This is because they hardly handle issues decisively as they happen. For instance, they hardly speak up when they are hurt.

They rather keep it to themselves and get their pound of flesh when they feel they can.

This is bad both for health and for socialization. Having hurtful feelings welling up inside without any way to release them is damaging to mental well-being just as it is bad for relationships.

Though it can be difficult for introverts to engage in confrontations, it is good to let people know how bad you feel about their behaviours. It helps in releasing hurtful emotions and feeling better.

Overcoming bottled-up emotions

• Speak up, it helps people know how to treat you
• Do not see people as antagonists or rivals, see them from the perspective of brotherhood
• Show anger and other emotions respectfully
• Talk to a therapist

14. Identity loss

Introvert can easily lose their identity by blending into the personality of people around them through empathy.

Because introverted people are sensitive, they take in the emotions and feelings of people and mirror them.

Through consistency, introverts can lose their personality and identity reflecting those of others.

How to avoid identity loss by introverts

• Establish appropriate boundaries on your empathy
• Avoid getting unnecessarily emotional
• Always allow your identity to shine through in every situation

Conclusion

The negative traits of introverts might not be loud and noticeable, but they can do damage to them unwittingly.

Though the dark side of the introverted is just a single dimension of their lives, and there is more to them than their negative traits.

However, it is in good taste not to let these dark sides be a major impediment to enjoying life with others.

By identifying with the negative habits of introverts above, you would be able to control or deliberately avoid them and become a pure introvert.

Thanks for reading, take time to let me know your thoughts and opinions.

References

Advantages of being an introvert

3 Signs You’re The Bad Kind Of Introvert And Need To Change

The Dark Side Of Introverts

Introversion : Relationship With Mental Well-being