On Processing And Acceptance (25/90)

I found out the results of my Myers-Briggs test on Thursday. I'm a rarity, as it turns out. According to Myers and Briggs, I am an INFJ, a type that I share with only 1-3 percent of the U.S. population. And despite my rant on my issues with personality testing, it is, as I pointed out, quite accurate in its assessment of personality traits and behavior.

So, we spent a whole class period talking about what all of these types mean. It was very interesting to listen as people weighed in on what they thought an introvert was, and why. Let's just say, in that class at least, introverts got a bad wrap.

I got angry, but I didn't go crazy on the class, you know, because I'm an introvert. I was taking it all in. We are slow to speak for a reason. Introverts are great observers and tend to have an acute awareness of everything happening around them, and are in tune with all of the small details.

We process slowly because we are constantly processing.

I said all of that to simply say that I am a slow processor. Not because I'm stupid or lazy, but because I'm taking it all in, all the time.

 I'm well aware that it's almost March, but I am just now setting goals for the year. I have, however, been thinking (the way that we introverts do) a lot about what I want out of this year and what I'm willing to give.

I was curious to see where my energies focused and if I was okay with that before I went and set some structure for myself that would make me totally miserable.  I'm a stickler about schedules and plans which is why I hate making them. I know that once plans and schedules are made I do all but kill myself to make sure things get done.

Writing has become the dominant thing this year. Largely due to the 90 in 90 challenge. Writing is now a part of my day, every day. And I like it that way. It comes before the homework, and social outings and working out. This is all okay with me.

But, I'm setting some goals around the writing. I just don't want anything to pull me away from it.

I wanted to set 10 Goals for 2010. But, I only have 5 for right now. And I'm okay with the imperfect number, so here they are:

1. Martial Arts. This time last year, I posted on one of those silly Facebook notes that I wanted to take up martial arts by the time I turned 23. Well, I turn 23 in August. So, I want to find some place to do Taekwondo. I've always been interested in martial arts but up until now that interest has only translated into doing Tae-Bo videos and  boxing around the house in my pink Everlast gloves. So, it's time that I get on that. My friend Hannah is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and she's convinced me that I'm not too old. And, of course I'm going to keep pestering her with questions, and maybe even beg for demonstrations until I get my feel on it. 
2. Cooking. I really enjoy cooking, but I don't do it enough. I like trying fun, new recipes and eating them but I don't take the time to find them and make them. Maybe on my weekends in, I'll try a new recipe. First on my list: homemade barbecue chicken pizza with cilantro and red onions.
3. Socializing. About those weekends in, I really need to accept a few more invitations out. This is something we talked about in class, introverts suffer from people exhaustion, unlike extroverts who are wired after social events.  After spending a day with people, no matter how enjoyable it was, I am wiped. It's nothing personal. And, I spend a lot of time just watching and observing. But, I have fun when I go out and talk with people so it's worth the exhaustion that follows.  
4. A Grown-Up Job. Come July I'll be done with school. It's past that time that I start thinking about what I want to do in the interim year between graduation and graduate school, providing I get in. I think I would really enjoy doing the communications for a performing arts center. 
5. My Own Place. And if I can get my grown-up job, then I can get my own place. Granted, it will probably be a studio apartment, but I'll decorate it really cute and maybe, just maybe I'll have people over and cook for them. That's probably pushing it, but you get the idea. 

There you have it, five goals for 2010 from the mind of a slow processing introvert. More than you ever wanted to know, I'm sure. But, this is how my brain works, all the time. 

And, I think I'm okay with it.