Shell: A zine for young introverts

Each cover was made by hand with different collaged, tortoise shells to represent the individuality of introverts. As well as each issue coming with handmade ceramic badges.

If you are reading this you are probably an introvert, but a person isn’t just an introvert or an extrovert there is a whole spectrum that everyone fits on. Let’s take a simple (not scientific) quiz that shows how much of an introvert you are!

Tick the blue hearts next to the statements that you agree with.

I prefer one-on-one conversations to group activities I often prefer to express myself in writing I enjoy solitude I seem to care less than my friends about being popular I dislike small talk, but enjoy talking in depth about topics that matter to me People tell me I’m a good listener I’m not a big risk-taker, I like to think through everything I enjoy work that allows me to “dive in” with few interruptions I like to celebrate birthdays on a small scale People faulsely describe me as “serious”, “anti-social”, “rude”...etc.

I prefer not to show or discuss my work with others until it’s finished I dislike conflict and will talk to people softly, as that’s how I like to be spoken to I do my best work on my own I tend to think before I speak I feel drained after being out and about, even if I’ve enjoyed myself I often let calls go through to voice mail I prefer a weekend with absolutely nothing to do than too many things scheduled I don’t enjoy multitasking I can concentrate easily In classroom situations, I prefer listening to the teacher to group discussions

Results: How many statements did you tick?

0

Extrovert

5

10

Ambivert

15

20

Introvert

If you don’t experience at least 4 of these on a daily basis you probably aren’t an introvert.

1 - Getting somewhere early to savour some alone time in the environment and preparing yourself to socialise.

2 - Having mentally prepared yourself for every aspect of the day the night before.

New things/people/places...etc. are scary.

3Rehearsing what you say and talking yourself out of saying it or missing the moment to add to conversations.

4 - Bathrooms are sanctuary. Anywhere to have a moment to relax and recharge without interruption.

5 - Being overshadowed by someone else in a conversation and not being annoyed with them but wishing you were that confident.

6Being asked to speak up when you thought you were talking loud.

7 - Over analysing everyone’s emotions and what is happening. As well as being attuned to the subtlest cues for disapproval.

8Pretending to be an extrovert and being exhausted physically and emotionally.

9 - Wishing you were home, alone in your comfy clothes working on your personal projects (reading, art, TV, baking, gaming).

10 Getting home and closing the door on the world feels amazing.

Time for a pep talk! Everytime you are told to come out of your shell or that you should speak up remember all of the strengths that you as an introvert have.

Introverts are great judges of character because of how observant they are. Which means that they are more likely to see people for wo they truly are. This leads to better and longer relationships because when something is important to them they are all in, committed and passionate towards maintaining the friendship.

They are also good decision makers because of their good judges of character.

Introverts enjoy sitting and thinking before taking risks (to think before they act).

When introverts make mistakes they slow down before moving on to reflect what went wrong.

Being quiet is okay “we’re processing everything” - Introverts tend to observe everything in much greater detail and so silence is needed for them to focus.

Creativity is very common in introverts which is why some of the greatest writers, painters, inventors...etc. are introverts.

Author of the Harry Potter series, JK

Rowling said “It’s a shame when the things that are on your mind and in your heart never reach your lips”.

This is an important lesson to all introverts who’s brain is constantly forging ideas in their head to get them out there; on paper, out loud, however you need to because the world would be different without the creative introverts of the world.

Pretending to be extroverted for a situation (this is called self-monitoring) can be exhausting. As you can only pretend for a certain amount of time before “behavioural leakage” happens. Which is our true selves seep out via unconscious body language.

You are far better off being yourself all of the time, especially with all of these great qualities.

I find myself overwhelmed...

- at the start of the day (move 2 spaces) - at the end of the day (move 1 space)

Do you wish you could be your true self in social situations...

- Yes (move 3 spaces) - Sometimes (move 2 spaces)

I pretend to be more confident than I am...

- whenever I socialise (move 2 spaces) - when I’m trying to impress someone (move 1 space)

Do you ever feel held back at work/ school because of your introversion...

- Yes (move 1 space) - No (move 2 spaces)

Do you ever feel anxious if you have more than one social gathering in a week...

- Yes (move 2 spaces) - No (move 1 space)

Do you wish you were home alone when you are socialising...

- Always (move 2 spaces) - Sometimes (move 1 space)

75% Socialising 25% Alone Time It looks like you are more of an outgoing introvert, which means that you are more comfortable in social situations than most introverts. However, make sure to spend enough time for your personal projects that build on your talents & interests.

50% Socialising 50% Alone Time

25% Socialising 75% Alone Time

So it looks like you are in a great position & feel fairly comfortable in dealing with your schedule but just make sure that you are still setting yourself new goals to help get you to where you would like to be.

It seems like you are struggling with the social aspects of your life so it would be a good idea to plan ahead of the day some time for you to relax so that you don’t get overwhelmed as much. Also, try some new things that you have always wanted to do so that you can feel more comfortable in more situations.

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

But he was a true introvert. As a child he was very shy and buried himself in books. He would run home from school to avoid talking to other people. As a young man he was elected to his first leadership position with the Executive Committee of the Vegetarian Society. At the meetings he would always have firm opinions, but was too scared to voice them. Like many introverts, he wrote down his thoughts to eventually read them aloud, but even then he was too afraid.

He studied Law in England, against the wishes of the leaders of his Modhi Bania subcaste (members are forbidden to eat meat, and it was thought that vegetarianism was impossible in England).

He went anyway but was excluded by the group and members were conficted on how to handle him. He didn’t fight them on this because he knew it would lead to retaliation (didn’t like confrontation). He kept his distance. This compliance lead to the subcaste members coming to his side

in his later political work. They treated him with affection and generosity.

He has faced challenges and discrimination throughout his life but he never let his feelings show. Instead, he negotiated patiently, he said that he had “learned to appreciate the beauty of compromise”.

Rejecting the phrase “passive resistance” (which he associated with weakness), preferring satyagraha, the term he coined to mean “firmness in pursuit of truth”. He focused on an ultimate goal and refused to divert energy to unnecessary conflicts along the way.

“I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts. A thoughtless word hardly ever escaped my tongue or pen. Experience has taught me that silence is part of the spirtual discipline of a votary of truth. We find so many people impatient to talk. All this talking can hardly be said to be of any benefit to the world. It is so much waste of time. My shyness has been in reality my shield and buckler. It has allowed me to grow. It has helped me in my discernment of truth”.

Gandhi never lost his commitment to his causes and is a shining example of an introvert that used his soft spoken power to affect change.