Not socially outgoing enough to enjoy sharing everything in my life- cetainly not on social media. Not so introverted that I hide away. Being in that odd space, a place is required to share and interact, to make friends and exchange stories and ideas without being part of a tribe with stifling ideology, group beliefs or rituals.
An entrepreneur for decades. Happy to work with people but not for them. Willing to make mistakes, suffer failures and enjoy successes- doing so while engaging with an agressive business world, keeping an open heart to family and friends. Always alone but not lonely in a large group. Questioning to understand, when others are happy with consensus. Family, frequently by choice not biology, and a few dear friends keep me sane- or so I believe.
So what the hey? Not an introvert. Not an extrovert. Is a descriptor helpful? Will it help explain this life? Not to fit into a psychologist’s box of personality types. I would dread that. But something to help grok this neither fish nor fowl existence.
I recently came upon what is characterized as an “emerging” understanding of people with this personality- my personality. It is called an “otrovert”.
I can tune in and connect with another person’s mind one-on-one. But, I don’t understand how a group thinks collectively, even when immersed in that group. Group thought is uncomfortable; it’s frightening. Communal traditions, such as religious, national ceremonies and holidays feel uncomfortable and compelling. I am a friendly observer, not engaged.
So dear reader I thought I should explain. I am passionate about many things and just a keen observer of others (I think my observations are keen anyway.) My fiction and nonfiction posts come from the well of decades of this active otrovert life.
Substack embraces exploration and sublty as well as expression of insights that are compelling and immediate. Here I can subscribe and not ”follow” and hopefully be interesting enough to have subscribers. I look forward to engaging, meeting you here, where an otrovert fits so well.