After all the socializing and overindulgence that December brings, January is the perfect time for innie reflection and introspection. Lucky for us, looking inward is something we introverts do best.
So, I thought I’d help you get the ball rolling with 20 questions to start 2015.
If you’re looking for more ways to let go of the past and reach your big goals in 2015, check out my introvert courses for confidence and connection.
20 Introspective Questions For Introverts
The most important lesson I learned in 2015 was …
The most surprising thing that happened in 2015 was …
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2015 it would be …
The thing that I am most proud of from 2015 is …
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are …
What I appreciate most about my introversion is …
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are …
If I stopped ____________ and started ____________ in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
The thing that scares me most right now is …
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is …
The thing that I will let go of in 2016 is …
My word for the next year is __________
Let’s dive a little bit deeper …
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural?
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good?
What’s missing in my life right now?
What am I avoiding?
What decision am I avoiding?
What is one thing I can do more of in 2016 to be a better friend?
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now?
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life?
I’d love to hear your answers to some of the above questions. Feel free to share below.
Love,
Hi Michaela! Thank you for the post. I’d like to answer a few questions if you don’t mind.
ad1) … that a relationship over the distance and over the internet, despite all the efforts one puts into it, doesn’t work.
ad2) … discovering important facts about my personality and who I really am; which also this web site contributed to it (thank you!)
ad6) … that I sometimes can “see” deeper into peoples motives and feelings
ad9) … solitude within
ad10) … my emotional life, negligence of it and supressing the deep feelings
ad15) … real love
ad16) … opening up
ad20) … myself
Thanks for sharing your answers, Damian! I love that you recognize the importance of your emotional life. There is so much power in reconnecting with your emotions. 🙂
The most important lesson I learned in 2014 was …even as an introvert I can change the perception people have of me.
The most surprising thing that happened in 2014 was …I discover introvert community exist!
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2014 it would be …not drink that extra vodka shot in Tofino.
The thing that I am most proud of from 2014 is …98% of my to do list is check.
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are …finding my new house.
What I appreciate most about my introversion is …it’s make who I am the way I like to be.
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are …often superficial and useless.
If I stopped __worry__ and started ___enjoying___ in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
The thing that scares me most right now is …to be single the rest of my life.
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is …I can’t put animal on the same right level as us,human, sorry.
The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is …anxiety!
My word for the next year is ____LOVE__
Let’s dive a little bit deeper …yes!
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural? Real friends
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good? Go get fresh air outside, read book,cook.
What’s missing in my life right now? Lover
What am I avoiding? Drama queen
What decision am I avoiding? Changing career
What is one thing I can do more of in 2015 to be a better friend? Listening more to them, ok ok talking to… 😉
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now? With a House+Lover
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life? Time, it will come cause it’s the only thing i’m aiming for.
Have a great 2015 Michaela!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Pascal. Wishing you a beautiful 2015 filled with LOVE! xxo
The most important lesson I learned in 2014 was … I am still able to fall in love even after sixteen years.
The most surprising thing that happened in 2014 was … I fell in love.
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2014 it would be … Not fall in love.
The thing that I am most proud of from 2014 is … Joining a gym and sticking with it.
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are … Diet and exercise.
What I appreciate most about my introversion is … The ability to sit quietly and listen.
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are … Unrequited love.
If I stopped ____________ and started ____________ in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life. Thinking… Doing.
The thing that scares me most right now is … The possibility of my dearest friend moving away.
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is … How far I have let myself go over the last ten years.
The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is … Fear
My word for the next year is __________ Live
Let’s dive a little bit deeper …
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural? My best friend.
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good? Go to the gym, Stick to the diet, hang out with my friend.
What’s missing in my life right now? Romantic love.
What am I avoiding? Romantic love.
What decision am I avoiding? Telling my friend how much I love her.
What is one thing I can do more of in 2015 to be a better friend? Support her decisions no matter how painful they may be.
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now? Be in love with someone who returns my feelings.
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life? Body image
Great answers, Joel. Letting go of fear is the most freeing thing we can do for ourselves. 🙂
It’s long, but, I like these kinds of things, especially when prompted.
1. I’m not sure really, but considering I got into the school I wanted, and got through some tough times, I’d say the most important lesson I learned/improved is that faith is key.
2. The most surprising thing that happened…well, I’m not sure really, one was kind of unfortunate, but it worked out well, as mentioned above.
3. I would do nothing differently, I firmly believe that we are where we are for a reason, that this is where we belong.
4. I am most proud of getting through the rough times, with a lot of help and faith, and doing well in school both with grades, and extracurricular opportunities.
5. The priorities that sap energy and motivation…probably my deep desire to fall in love and meet the person that I am going to be with hopefully forever, I truly want to, and it can be exhausting and depleting.
6. I appreciate most about my introversion the fact that it allows me to both be able to sit down alone, and quietly contemplate, as well as do so in crowds some. As an INFJ, I also get feelings about things that seem to be accurate fairly often. I also like the fact that I think it keeps me from sacrificing my morals. I have a soft spot for innocence in myself and others.
7. The relationships that drain my energy are those that I put more energy into than I put energy into myself, or receive from others. That sounds so sarcastic in a way, but like a math equation, it just makes sense.
8. If I stopped doubting and started believing in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
9. The thing that scares me most right now is succeeding in life, and being alone, though in the end, with faith, fear is simply the name we give to that which we cannot be brought through, therefore, there is no fear.
10. The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is my sin.
11. The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is (hopefully!) my pessimism!
12. My word for the next year is, well, I’m picking more than one, Relentless Faith, Loyal Love, and Leadership.
13. To help my goals and maintain my energy levels, I could probably hang out with my two good friends at Miami (GO RedHawks ), and people who are relatively chill, faithful, and intelligent in general.
14. Three things I could do this week to make me feel really good…play a nice game of football or basketball and not get hurt, hang out with friends, and read/write/sing.
15. What’s missing in my life right now? I’m not fully sure, I could put a lot more effort into my relationship with God, my effort in being positive needs to go up a little bit, and well, of course, being with my soulmate sooner rather than later would be great. I’m 18, but honestly, I’ve been ready to “settle down” since about 16.
16. What am I avoiding? Well I try to avoid failure and rejection, I don’t particularly care for either of them.
17. What decision am I avoiding? Well, there are probably a few. But I feel like there are times and places for everything, and for most of those questions, I just don’t feel that urge yet.
18. To be a better friend, I could probably stand to not get as defensive or argumentative. I’ve never thought I’m always right, but I guess I come off that way sometimes, and I don’t like that.
19. I have absolutely no clue. There are a lot of things I want in life, a dream house, there’s this girl I really like…I think I love her, actually, to the extent an 18 year old can understand love with a lack of life experience, my dream job, I mean, there are a lot of things! My life is best not left in my hands though, we humans have a tendency to mess things up!
20. My biggest obstacle to the dream life is sin, quite honestly. Not to be cliché, but all that’s wrong with the world, those are big obstacles, be they my wrongs, or the wrongs of others.
Hi, I’ve just discovered your great website, I love it 🙂 So, my answers are the following:
The most important lesson I learned in 2014 was …don’t be blinded by dreams and focus on reality. Don’t hide your feelings from others and don’t be scared of expressing yourself.
The most surprising thing that happened in 2014 was …breaking up with my boyfriend
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2014 it would be …spot the warning signs and do something about them, instead of avoiding the ugly reality just out of fear of being alone!
The thing that I am most proud of from 2014 is …graduating from university 😀 A proud Bachelor of English Studies here 😉
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are …finding the real love. And looking desperate is probably the worst thing of all, I would like to avoid it
What I appreciate most about my introversion is …that I have lots of time to spend with myself and think quietly instead of unnecessary and meaningless interaction
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are …those which make me uneasy and which make me think “maybe I shouldn’t have done or said that?” or “I wish I did/could/were..”
If I stopped __dwelling on the past and torturing myself with things I can’t change__________ and started _______caring about myself and my own plans_____ in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
The thing that scares me most right now is …being alone for the rest of my life
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is …lack of ability to express myself properly and loudly, hiding from others and rather low self-esteem..
The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is …the past, especially the relationship that has already gone!
My word for the next year is _______CHANGE___
Let’s dive a little bit deeper …
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural? My best friend and my family 🙂
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good? Go for a walk, read a good book, hang out with others
What’s missing in my life right now? Somebody to love and be loved by. (“Can anybody find meee..somebody to looove?” Sorry, Queen reference was stronger than me, in fact I’m a lousy singer :D)
What am I avoiding? Getting in touch with real me
What decision am I avoiding? To finally get a grip and start something completely new that could change my life. And to let go of the past and take care of myself..
What is one thing I can do more of in 2015 to be a better friend? Stop worrying (and love the bomb! 😀 Sorry, sometimes an urge to allude and indulge in some punning is stronger than me :D) and express myself openly
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now? I’m working on my MA thesis and preparing for a meeting with my wonderful new boyfriend
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life? Myself. My own inhibition, unnecessary fear of others, trying new things (out of deep-rooted fear of rejection, I suppose) and, thesiswise, my incredible laziness and procrastination 😉
The most important lesson I learned in 2014 was … Not to be ashamed of my introvert self and embrace it, express myself more
The most surprising thing that happened in 2014 was … Not settle for things and speak up for things I want
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2014 it would be …Stop hiding in my turtle shell and not be afraid to mingle
The thing that I am most proud of from 2014 is … Spending more time with family
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are … Being a workaholic and trying to please everyone else and not myself
What I appreciate most about my introversion is … the mystery is brings, the way of thinking that helps to make the best of each situation and opportunity, and how I can play out a scenario in my mind before it happens
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are … My mom, she worries way too much but that is a work in progress
If I stopped waiting for things and started pursuing them in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
The thing that scares me most right now is … dying before I let everyone know how much I love them and what they mean to me
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is … hiding my emotions (I am a work in progress)
The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is … doubt and fear
My word for the next year is Embrace
Let’s dive a little bit deeper …
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural? My ex (I know how crazy that sounds but we are still good friends, I am a self motivator but she always brought out the best, always good to have that one person who pushes you forward)
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good? Sing in the mirror, Smile more, and dance (No matter how bad it looks)
What’s missing in my life right now? That special someone, that I could give my heart too (But I don’t let it bother me too much)
What am I avoiding? Negative people and any thoughts that could lower my self esteem
What decision am I avoiding? Learning a new language, travelling, exploring the world
What is one thing I can do more of in 2015 to be a better friend? Listen more and talk less. We can not always be the star of the show
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now? I would be more fearless, adventurous, and loving, like the Grinch when his heart grew like 3 times bigger.
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life? Preserverence, got to learn that Rome wasn’t built in a day but a piece at a time, I need to focus on day by day goals that build to something bigger.
The most important lesson I learned in 2014 was financial debt doesn’t buy happiness and is stressful.
The most surprising thing that happened in 2014 was I moved in with my guy (age 46!) after swearing I’d never live with a male ever again !
If I could go back and do one thing differently in 2014 it would be not to drink so much on NYE. I am ashamed of that night.
The thing that I am most proud of from 2014 is how much I and others achieved; I changed jobs, moved house and my eldest daughter moved away to University.
The priorities in my life that sap my energy and motivation are my PhD and commuting to work most days of the week. I feel I spend a big proportion of my life in my car 🙁
What I appreciate most about my introversion is being able to think and consider rather than act immediately.
The relationships in my life that drain my energy are with superficial people who I really don’t have time for and have nothing in common with.
If I stopped drinking so much alcohol to change into an extrovert at social occasions and started accepting my introversion in 2015 it would dramatically improve my life.
The thing that scares me most right now is financial debt and the path my 19 year old son is taking in life.
The area of my life where I feel the most shame/guilt is on occasions when I have drank too much and woke up with a feeling of shame.
The thing that I will let go of in 2015 is trying to be an extrovert and change myself. Stop trying to be the life and soul of the party.
My word for the next year is relaxed
Let’s dive a little bit deeper :-
Who can I hang out with so that achieving my goals and maintaining my energy levels feels natural? Dawn at work for inspiration ! Or Liz at work because she is happy and cheerful all the time !
What 3 things could I do this week to make me feel really good? Eat consistently healthy food. Cut back on alcohol. Finish inputting data on this one project at work as it’s taking forever.
What’s missing in my life right now? Communication with my eldest son. I miss my daughter so so much but she’s 20 now so I need to let go.
What am I avoiding? Working when at home. Buying a new car to make my commute more tolerable.
What decision am I avoiding? Can’t think of any particular one at the moment.
What is one thing I can do more of in 2015 to be a better friend? I don’t have any close friends. The friendships I do have are pretty superficial, other than with my sister. If there was one thing, it would be to see her more and my nieces and nephews.
Best case scenario, if I could wave a magic wand and have it any way I want, what would my life look like one year from now? I’d be in total control of my drinking behaviours and would feel more comfortable with who I am. I’d have began to write my PhD thesis and have clarity with it. My son would be in a stable job and be happy. And I would be living off my wage, rather than my overdraft every month.
What is my biggest obstacle to my dream life? Not being/knowing myself, procrastination, worrying about grown up children too much.