Let me explain to you Introverted personality types what I mean by improve before I get into why or how. I’m not talking about being more socially active than you want to be or feeling pressured to be someone you’re not. I’m talking about being able to have more successful and rewarding social interactions when and how you feel like it.
As for the why, you already know your own social desires better than I can, and the benefits of friendships are significant and widely confirmed. There are many good reasons to want to improve your social skills, and I think being in a relationship with another Introvert presents certain opportunities. So let’s get on to the how.
Opening Up
As companions, Introverted partners can be each other’s primary sounding boards for social expression. Ideally, they’re more trusting and forgiving of each other than others might be, and that can encourage them to express thoughts that would otherwise remain internal. Practicing that externalization supportively together can build confidence (and charisma), which can show among friends, family, and new acquaintances.
Helping develop and refine each other’s expressiveness isn’t the only benefit here. Both partners can also practice the skill of listening by showing attention, interest, and emotive responses – all of which help create mutually rewarding interactions with anyone. Learning to express themselves appealingly and to be great listeners can boost Introverted personalities’ social success and enjoyment.
Honest Feedback
Much like they might inform each other about a wardrobe malfunction or a piece of salad in their teeth, Introverted partners can also offer each other gentle insight about their social habits, mannerisms – and maybe even social stumbles with others. The key here is not criticizing each other or merely giving personal opinions, but rather engaging in objective, constructive exploration together.
It’s probably best that such feedback only be shared when it’s specifically requested, and that it only be requested if it can be heard with a fair, open mind. Things like social status and the approval of others can be sources of doubt and insecurity for many personality types, so it’s important to focus on giving each other strong, loving affirmation when putting each other’s social skills under a microscope. A caring, supportive voice can make the truth easier to hear.
Lend a Friend
Introverted partners may not have large social circles, but they can share their friends with each other to improve social interaction. By inviting each other into activities with their friend groups, both partners can find chances to broaden their horizons and hone their abilities. Either partner’s friends might not be people the other partner would normally bond with, which makes for excellent practice socializing with diverse kinds of people and personalities.
A notable potential side benefit here is that by actively trying to create the best possible interactions with each other’s friends, a couple may themselves grow closer. This is partly because their respective social worlds may blend better and partly because trying to get along with the people who are important to each other is a way to show respect to each other.
Final Thoughts: Growing Together
Many couples probably engage in some form of the above organically and unconsciously, likely to their benefit. But why not kick things up a notch by consciously recognizing and deliberately engaging with these concepts?
In a romantic relationship, people aren’t necessarily just lovers. They may also be each other’s housemates, financial partners, amateur therapists, fashion consultants – and friends. There are many ways that couples can support and enhance each other’s lives. Being partners in learning to unlock new levels of social enjoyment and ability makes sense.
And when it comes to being more socially successful, romantic partners can keep in mind that their versions of success might be unique. The goal is to have rewarding social experiences on their own terms, in order to build effective real-world social skills and apply them in personally fulfilling ways. Each Introverted personality type can respect the other’s aims as they master themselves and uncover what they’re capable of.
Further Reading
- Love and Thinking Introverts: 7 Ways to Better Romance
- You Can Create Better Friendships with Personality Typing
- The Introvert’s Guide to Online Dating
- Want to explore yourselves as a couple and how your personality factors relate? Learn some surprising things with our Intertype Test. (Premium resource.)