National Introverts Week

History of National Introverts Week

Though it is not known when exactly National Introverts Week was officiated (some sources say as recently as 2018), we do know who founded it and why. Author and podcast host, Matthew Pollard, is the person to thank for the idea of having a week to celebrate introverts. Pollard’s motive was to encourage introverts from all around the world to be proud of who they are. There is still a lot of stigma surrounding introversion and how introverted people are perceived in society, so it is important to engage and dialogue with these issues as well.

People tend to make blanket generalizations about the kind of people introverts and extroverts are, which in turn dictate societal expectations of them. This kind of categorizing is unfair and exclusionary since every individual is unique — personality traits and all. When talking about the history of introversion, we cannot avoid going back to the history of psychoanalysis itself, as personality tests have stemmed from this field. It was back in 1921 that the terms ‘introversion’ and ‘extraversion’ were popularized as personality traits, by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung.

According to Jung, introverts direct their energy inwards, while extroverts direct theirs outwards. This binary has now been dismissed as being over-simplistic since introversion and extraversion are now more of a spectrum upon which people find themselves (hence the term ‘ambivert’ now exists). One of the first psychologists to develop an assessment of personality traits was Hans Eysenck, who, together with his wife, developed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire. Thanks to these contributions, we now have a world of research that exists on personality types.

National Introverts Week timeline

1921

Introversion/Extraversion are Popularized

The terms are popularized in the theories of the Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung.

1923

Research Into Personality Types Begins

Katherine Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs-Meyers decide to make a test to make personality types accessible to all.

1967

One of the First Introversion Tests is Invented

German psychologist, Hans Eysenck, comes up with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to determine and measure degrees of introversion.

2007

The M.B.T.I. Test is Launched

Popularly known as the Myers-Briggs Test or 16Personalities test, it assesses and categorizes personality types.

National Introverts Week FAQs

When is National Introverts Week?

National Introverts Week 2026 runs from Monday, March 16, through Sunday, March 22, encouraging everyone to appreciate the depth and quiet strength of introverted individuals.

How many people identify as introverts?

Estimates suggest that introverts make up approximately 30-50% of the population, highlighting a significant portion of society that thrives on introspection and thoughtful engagement.

What are common misconceptions about introverts?

Common misconceptions include believing introverts are shy, anti-social, or lack leadership skills. In reality, introverts simply recharge through solitude and often possess strong observational and analytical abilities.

What's the difference between introversion and shyness?

Introversion is a personality trait related to how one recharges energy, preferring solitude or quiet environments. Shyness, conversely, is a fear of social judgment and can affect both introverts and extroverts.

How to Observe National Introverts Week

Take a personality test

There is a world of different personality tests out there, ranging from light and silly to surprisingly accurate in-depth analyses of personality types. We recommend you try out some of the most popular ones with scientific backing — like the 16Personalities test. You may be surprised at what you find, and it can help give you better self-awareness.

Appreciate an introvert you know

There is no better time, or opportunity than this to take the time to express your appreciation for anyone in your life who is an introvert. The week can be made even more meaningful by finding out what makes them tick and making them feel special in those ways.

Learn from introversion

There are many skills that introverts possess which are worth learning for themselves. One of the most known traits of introverts is that they are problem-solvers and creative people who can generate great ideas. They are also better team players and tend to persevere longer than perhaps extroverts do. Some of the more famous introverts include Bill Gates, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Elon Musk — all highly inspirational people we want to learn from.

5 Introvert Superpowers You May Want To Possess

Laugh-ability

Many introverts have the ability to make themselves laugh, as they prefer their own company.

Solo recharge

Introverts don’t need to feed off the energy of others, so all they need is some alone time to recharge their social batteries.

Loyalty

Introverts tend to invest in relationships deeply, which means you’ll have a friend for life.

Never getting bored

Boredom as a concept barely exists for introverts, since doing nothing is kind of ideal too.

Listening

A very underrated power, but one nonetheless, is the ability to listen more and speak less.

Why National Introverts Week is Important

It's a chance to celebrate introversion

Why should extraverts have the limelight all of the time? With National Introverts Week, those behind the scenes have a chance to be recognized and appreciated, even if there is no party thrown for them (which is probably preferred). There is a lot that can be learned from the traits of introverts.

It’s about inclusion

As a race, human beings are ever on a journey of inclusion, and so a week to celebrate those who might otherwise be excluded is a great way to further this quest. It encourages introverts to feel more comfortable in their skin and reminds them to be proud of their identity.

It fosters greater understanding

By helping to create spaces for engagement and dialogue with personality differences, this week can further peoples’ understanding of how each type is to be valued and respected. It can break commonly held misconceptions about introverted behavior and help us understand ourselves, and those around us better.