Introverts, I know it can feel like society wasn’t built for you, with all its chaos, crowds, and chatter. But the world needs you.
Dearest Introvert,
Happy World Introvert Day! January 2 is a day to honor all that introverts offer the world. It’s a day to celebrate each and every one of your valuable introverted qualities and strengths.
Yes, I said valuable, and I mean it. Introversion doesn’t seem “valuable” in a culture that prefers the extrovert ideal. Charismatic gregariousness is rewarded over quiet contemplation. Ostentatious achievements garner more attention than unassuming capabilities, regardless of which is more deserving.
But keep in mind that we happen to be caught up in a society with tangled-up values. I’m hopeful that we’ll sort it out, but in the meantime, true value isn’t negated by its confused priorities.
And you, dear one, have true value.
On World Introvert Day, I want to speak to that value. I want to remind you of all that you are and all you have to offer the world, just by being yourself. Whether you’re an empathetic “loner” who would rather spend all their time in nature, or a quiet, quirky creative who refuses to abide by our societal construct of constant productivity, I truly believe that we offer our best when we offer our truest selves. If your truest self is deeply introverted, love, that’s exactly who the world needs you to be.
Today, Celebrate Who You Are
Dear introvert, you are a deep thinker. You are an incredible observer. You take all that observing — all the beauty on your daily commute, all the melodic genius of your favorite song, all the nuance of a complicated situation — and you process it deep within yourself. You do this effortlessly — it’s second nature to you.
Now, you may be thinking that I’m just describing what an overthinker you are, and how all that overthinking can sometimes be debilitating. Yes, it can be. Some might see you as someone who is “in their head too much” and could benefit from being out more in the “real world.”
Ah, love, remember how tangled the world’s values are right now. Anyone who says you don’t spend enough time in the “real world” has no idea how much more of that world you take in! That’s why you’re in your head a lot — there’s so much to process from all your quiet noticing. And much of what you notice are things those people telling you to “get out of your head” miss at every turn.
Never forget that your ability to notice the world’s details is a gift. You can dwell on the beauty of the world just as much as the heartache. The joy of a sweet moment can linger in your mind as much as the indignance of an injustice. You can get lost down the rabbit hole of a captivating idea — for better or worse.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t easy. But you get to sink into life in a way that not everyone does. It’s challenging, but it’s also magical.
The Inherent Wisdom of Introverts
I invite you to take a moment with your overthinking mind and consider this: All your observing and deep internal processing lead to something magnificent within you — wisdom.
Maybe you’ve been called “wise beyond your years” your entire life. Or maybe no one has ever taken the time to recognize the wisdom you possess. But it’s still there, even if others don’t notice it. You have a knowing, a perception, and an insight that are hard-won and deeply important. You might call it intuition, wisdom, or keen observation — whatever resonates most with you.
What’s crucial to remember is that it matters — it’s not without purpose. In a fast-paced, often superficial world, your wisdom might not always be valued. But the way I see it, that just means the world longs for your insight more than it realizes.
So today, I invite you to greet your overthinking brain with a bit of kindness. Maybe pause the self-criticism for something you never chose and instead explore gratitude for it. Maybe, just for today, indulge in your daydreams. Let your mind wander freely. Sink into contemplation and see where it takes you.
Love, it might just change the world.
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The World Needs You Today (and Every Day)
Dear introvert, I know you feel like this world is just not made for you. It can feel like all the chaos, crowds, and chatter push you to the sidelines. But the world needs you.
Only, you are meant to live differently from what’s been deemed “normal” in today’s world. You need to prioritize your restorative solitude. You need quiet spaces to re-energize. You need to tap out of loud and overstimulating environments before they drain you completely.
Because the world doesn’t need you to be nothing. The world needs you to be who you are.
And you, dear introvert, are worthy of being. You are just as important as extroverts, external processors, and quick thinkers. Your needs are valid and deserve your attention and care in order for you to be you — the truest you, who is exactly who the world needs. Even if you sometimes feel like you’re a “bad introvert,” let that thought go.
Today is a day to remember that society needs your quiet strength. It needs your hardworking mind. It needs your thoughtful insight. The world needs you to care for these valuable qualities that make you who you are.
The world needs you to believe in your value so you can contribute to its betterment.
Susan Cain closes her book, Quiet, with this insight from Anaïs Nin: “Our culture made a virtue of living only as extroverts. We discouraged the inner journey, the quest for the center. So we lost our center and have to find it again.”
So, dear introvert, let today serve as both a celebration and a reminder. Center yourself in who you are. You have so much to offer the world, and so much that defines a beautiful and fulfilled life. You bring your thoughtful observation and careful contemplation, and you translate it into empathetic kindness, wise leadership, and creative brilliance. The world desperately needs recalibrating, and I believe that your strengths are the key.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Though it’s often quoted, it remains profoundly true.
So today, celebrate yourself. Recognize your worth. And share it with the world simply by being your beautifully introverted self.
Happy World Introvert Day, introverts! 
