Jenn Granneman - The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World

PRAISE FOR THE SECRET LIVES OF INTROVERTS

Jenn Granneman is among the most sensitive and thoughtful introvert authors today The Secret Lives of Introverts brings to life the experiences every introvert shares and helps us embrace our quiet nature in a very loud world.

Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Cant Stop Talking and creator of Quiet Revolution

Introverts love secrets, and here, Jenn Granneman opens us to a rich world of themsecrets about what introverts think, desire, and feel; how our brains operate; why we get hangovers without drinking; how to navigate love and work; and what liberates us. An intimate line to the wisdom of introvertswithout the awkward introduction and small talk.

Laurie Helgoe, PhD, author of Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength

Reading Jenn Grannemans The Secret Lives of Introverts is like sitting on a stoop with a friend who understands the stigmas you face as an introvert. She offers you support and gentle guidance to navigate this noisy world. Granneman combines compelling anecdotes and the latest research for a fact-filled and enjoyable read, succeeding at her mission to let introverts everywhere know that it?s okay to be who they are.

Nancy Ancowitz, presentation and career coach and author of S elf-Promotion for Introverts

Provides introverts and those close to them with validating insight regarding their nature. It clears many of the common misconceptions surrounding introversion. Its a wonderful in-depth guide that lets introverts know we are not alone in our way of being, while informing those less introverted of our strengths, gifts, and ability to be happy as we are.

Brenda Knowles, creator of Space2Live and author of The Quiet Rise of Introverts: 8 Practices for Living and Loving in a Noisy World

This one goes out to all of us who have a still surface but depths that teem with energy and life. Allow [Jenn Granneman] to show you the magic of your inner worlds and how to quietly bless others with what stirs down deep.

Adam S. McHugh, author of Introverts in the Church and The Listening Life

The Secret Lives of Introverts is the new introverts bible containing everything you need to know to understand, embrace, and celebrate your introversion. Granneman strikes a blissful balance between intriguing research on the science of introversion and heartfelt personal stories and insights that will have you shouting amen in agreement (in your head, of course). True to her introverted nature, Granneman takes a thoughtful and thorough approach to explaining the many intricacies of being an introvert in an extrovert-biased world.

Michaela Chung, author of The Irresistible Introvert: Harness The Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World

Jenn Granneman conveys everything that is beautiful and unique about what it means to be an introvert. She guides us through some difficult moments in life that are all too familiar to anyone who has struggled coming to terms with their quiet personality.

Debbie Tung, author of Quiet Girl in a Noisy World and creator of Wheres My Bubble

The Secret Lives of Introverts is a book for everyone, introverts and extroverts alike. From the first embrace of chapter one, introverts who have endured the pain of feeling out of place, inadequate, or outright weird will feel remarkably understood. Jenns warmth and exceptional ability to connect with her readers makes The Secret Lives of Introverts an enjoyable, validating, and encouraging must read. I love this book, and you will too!

Aaron Caycedo-Kimura, author of Text, Dont Call: An Illustrated Guide to the Introverted Life

One of the best books Ive ever read on introvert empowerment. Grannemans fearless honesty about what it means to be an introvert in todays loud, fast, and busy world filled with overcrowded schedules and spaces is desperately needed by all of us who have ever felt too sensitive. Shes given me my new personal mantra: In your alone time, youre free.

Lauren Sapala, author of The INFJ Writer

Reading this book was like finding a decoder ring for introverts. Jenn Grannemans candid, eloquent description of the introvert experience had me nodding along and underlining parts. Its wonderful to know that we are not alone, even in our need for solitude and quiet.

Nanea Hoffman, founder of Sweatpants & Coffee

The Secret Lives of Introverts is for every introvert who has felt different. Filled with practical advice just for introverts on everything from romance to careers its pages are filled with mhm moments and aha insights.

Thea Orozco, visibility advisor at Introvertology

Copyright 2017 by Jenn Granneman

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Jane Sheppard

Cover photo credit: iStockphoto

Illustrations by Adrianne Lee

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-2102-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-2103-6

Printed in the United States of America

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my grandpa, John Granneman, and my uncle, Dave Granneman, who both passed away while I was writing it. Grandpa John loved studying the Wild West, drinking black coffee, reading the newspaper end to end, and rolling his own cigarettes at the kitchen table. He was a quiet man who didnt say much, and he once confided in me that he had always been an introvert. Uncle Dave loved a good conspiracy theory and tales of UFOs, and if you got him going, he could really talk. He was half extrovert, half legend.

John Granneman

April 23, 1925, to January 23, 2017

David Granneman

April 12, 1949, to February 25, 2017

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Dear introvert,

One of my earliest memories as a little girl is my dad putting a microphone to my lips and asking me to tell a story. Okay , I thought, this should be easy . I had been telling stories to myself already, in my mind, each night before I fell asleep, even though I was too young to read or write.

I closed my eyes and imagined a horse who played with her friends in a sunny meadow. Like many introverted children, my inner world was vivid and alive. The made-up story seemed almost as real as the actual world around me of toys and parents and pets. The horse and her friends were having a race to see who was the fastest. They dashed through fields of flowers and jumped over a glistening creek, when, all of the sudden, one of them started to flap her tiny, hidden wings and fly

Suddenly, my dad interrupted my thoughts. You have to say your story out loud, he said, nodding to the microphone. So I can record it.

I looked at the microphone, then back at my dad, but I didnt know how to respond. The things inside me had to be spoken? How could mere words describe the striking images I saw in my mindand how they made me feel?