Volo Vash, as a happy introvert, my immediate reaction to your list was, “That’s not introversion! That’s social anxiety!” There are many misconceptions about introverts — for example, that we are shy. I’m very outgoing, one on one or in small groups.

Another misconception is that we are “envious” of socializing. I have never met an introvert who feels “envious” or socializing. Yes, we find contact overstimulating and exhausting — parties need to be balanced with solitude and ample time to read a good book or three (but any good book, by our own definition — this is not limited to one genre or another, and certainly not just to sci-fi!)

We are content in our own company; it isn’t that we dislike others, but we don’t always feel need of them. Be happy when an introvert chooses to spend time with you, because our own time is something we value greatly. We may seem to be “wasting” it, but spending it as we choose is a luxury we appreciate.

I am not that sure about other introverts; I have a rich and vivid imagination, but don’t always put it to constructive use. I like readers; if not for readers, I might be too lazy to write down my thoughts and stories, content to simply daydream.

If anything, I think most of us have too MUCH empathy, and this is part of why interaction with people wears us out. A lack of empathy hints at narcissism, perhaps. But a PERCEIVED lack of empathy could just be the wall some of us construct around our hearts to avoid being hurt by others, even when they don’t intend to hurt us, because we sometimes feel their pain, as well as our own.

I do agree with your premise, though. We should not diagnose or label ourselves in limiting ways. If you are unhappy with how you are, change it — everything worth doing takes effort, but we can do it, if it matters to us.