A shy extrovert?? Really?

[me]

I was told today I was a "shy extrovert." Whatever that means lol

I love being around other people, love being around friends, love meeting new people, going out etc, I don't mind alone time every now and then, but I am most happiest around other people. Even if I am not really socialising as such, not really talking a lot. I am shy around people I don't know (well at first anyway). Even with some friends of mine I don't talk much.

But I was told because I enjoy being around other people BUT I am shy, I am a shy extrovert. I always thought I was introverted but apparently (from what I've been told) being extroverted or introverted has nothing or very little to do with being shy or outgoing, but rather where you get your energy from. Eg an introvert gets his/her energy from being alone wheras an extrovert gets his/her energy from being around other people. I NEED to socialise all the time. Even if I am home alone I am constantly socialising, either on the phone or social media. I go mad if I don't socialise on a daily basis, even though I don't talk a lot at times.

I hope this makes sense.
I am the first to arrive at a party and always the last to leave.

If I had the choice to stay home on Saturday night for example and watch tv, basically 'do nothing' OR go to a friends (or have a friend over) and do the exact same thing, I'd choose the latter, even if I am really tired and couldn't be bothered actually going anywhere, I'd choose this because I need other people around. I need to socialise.
A lot of the time when meeting new people, I DO talk but not as often at first. I like to observe and take everything in first and THEN (after a while, when I am comfortable etc) then I don't shut up lol. But many people when first meeting me think I am snobbish or standoffish, but I am really not. Maybe it's body language. I don't know. But I do enjoy being around other people, whether that's a small group or a larger group, though the smaller groups I feel more confortable. If I am alone for any more than a day I get kind of depressed/sad so need to be around others, even if I am not physically around people, like I mentioned before even if it's just through social media (Facebook for example). I have a friend who talks and talks. She'll talk to anyone about anything, doesn't seem shy at all. BUT she prefers being alone most of the time. She does like getting out and about with friends etc, but yeah...she prefers alone time to unwind and all that. I NEED s

[Gema J]

One of my professors gave us the same definitions definitions of Extrovert and Introvert which I found to be most practical and didn't attach any stigmatisms.

He said that an extrovert is a person who "gains energy" from being around people and "loses energy" by being alone and vice versa. Meaning that an extrovert feels more refreshed, energetic, and aware in a public setting but becomes fatigued, uneasy, and disconnected when alone (while introverts are the opposite), like you stated. He asked us where we feel most comfortable and what we do to recharge.

Shyness, social skills, and the rest don't fully apply with this definition. So yes, it is possible to be a shy extrovert--and judging from your additional notes, that's what you are.

Perhaps the shyness has other origins; maybe it's a fear of making a bad first impression, of being rejected, or of embarrassment. Or it could just be the usual apprehension most humans have when meeting new people; because they're new, you don't know what to expect or how to react. As a result, you feel shyness until you're certain how much you can open up to them and how much they will open up to you.

Being extremely talkative is also a different issue. Some people have more anecdotes to tell; others love listening to anecdotes (I had a friend who seldom spoke but loved being around people as she loved to listen and learn from them). People express themselves in relationships differently, and even communication takes many different forms.

Don't let a stigma be attached to you whether its shy, extroverted, introverted, talkative, or whatever. Just be yourself. Someone is always going to have a label, and most of those labels aren't worth a hill of beans. If you have friends you can trust and know what you like to do, the labels are worthless.

[mrzebra]

Sounds like you're an extrovert. It doesn't really matter though, words are labels to represent an idea or psychical object, the idea of extrovert or definition is that you like talking to people and feel more energized than if you were alone. Of course, there are a lot more sides to being an introvert or extrovert but based off the information you supplied I would say you're an extrovert, just a bit shy

[Ayesha]

Introverts like to stay alone as their energy recharges through it whereas by sociallizing their energy drains.
Extroverts like to sociallize. (like you)
Yes,you are shy.. >.>

So, here it goes:-
a person who likes to sociallize + shy = YOU

Simple answer..no worries. -\(-_-)/- *SHRUGS* ;P