Social (E) / Solitary (I) recharge

The most obvious difference between Extraverts and Introverts can be found in the way they socialize and recharge their energy. When Extraverts spend too much time alone, they feel bored and depleted. When Introverts spend too much time alone, they feel restored. Extraverts gain energy by interacting with people; Introverts lose energy by too many interactions with people. Nelson Mandela (INFJ) explained: “Although I am a gregarious person, I love solitude even more.”

Stimulating environments can also be draining for Introverts, who feel overwhelmed when they are exposed to too much noise, crowded places, or chaotic situations that have too many activities going on at the same time. The discomfort and anxiety caused by these things sends them racing for home or retreating to a safe place.

Extraverts enjoy meeting people and spending time with them, eager to make new friends and acquaintances whenever possible. They are usually out and about, and make a habit of inviting others to visit or attend social events they are hosting.

Introverts can be as skilled in social situations as Extraverts; they simply prefer to experience those situations in smaller doses. They are cautious and more selective when making new friends, and attend fewer social events. However, there are two types of Introverts that avoid almost all social interactions—loners and hermits.

  • Loners are extreme Introverts. Solitude is the foundation of their lives. They enjoy being alone and don’t seek social connections, even in small doses.

Extraverts thrive on attention and interaction, and are more likely to ask for help with a problem; Introverts avoid drawing attention to themselves and prefer working alone. Extraverts have a tendency to express themselves through physical contact, reaching out with uncontrolled enthusiasm; Introverts express themselves through writing, painting, or some other remote activity. Extraverts are often unguarded and candid with their thoughts, sharing easily with anyone who is interested. Introverts protect their privacy and inner world, which is a safe place closed to the public.

  • Hermits are extreme loners, choosing to live “off the grid.” They go to great lengths to stay separate from society as well as from individual people. This is usually because they mistrust society as a whole.

Nominated to preside over the convention, he was unanimously elected to the position. Washington returned home in hopes of living a quiet life at Mount Vernon after the new Constitution was approved, but Congress sent a messenger to his home to announce that he had been elected president of the new country. George Washington had “anxious and painful sensations” about leaving Mount Vernon, but once again answered the call to duty.

He served as the first President of the United States for four years, planning to resign and return to Mount Vernon permanently. But most Americans could not imagine anyone else taking his place. The political infighting and outspoken rivalry between Jefferson and Hamilton threatened to divide the new country, and James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson all urged Washington to stay in office for another four-year term. Washington agreed to silently run for office, but did not announce his candidacy. Nevertheless, he was unanimously elected by the Electoral College for another term as President.

With little ceremony or public attention, George Washington arrived alone at his inauguration. He gave a brief address and then went to his presidential home, once again leaving his beloved Mount Vernon unattended.

The battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, and George Washington was promptly made General and Commander in Chief for the American colonies. This assignment kept him away from home for more than eight years.

Glad to be “free of the bustle of a camp and the busy scenes of public life,” he returned to Mount Vernon in 1783 with the intention of staying there for the remainder of his life. But within two years, it became apparent that the new country was unable to collect revenue or pay its debts.

Washington ended his retirement from public life when he was persuaded to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

George Washington (ISTJ)
George Washington (ISTJ)

These two Founding Fathers played a large part in forming the United States of America. During the eight years that Washington led the military fight against the British, Franklin helped write the Declaration of Independence, charmed the French into an alliance with the United States, and negotiated the Treaty of Paris that formally ended the American Revolutionary War.

Benjamin Franklin was unreserved and forward—especially with the ladies! As a young man, he “attempted to take some liberties” with his friend’s mistress, but was rebuffed. He behaved himself during his forty-four years of marriage to Deborah Read, but after she died he enjoyed the company of many ladies. He pressed at least one younger woman for tangible evidence of her affection for him, but against his protests she steered him into a safer relationship by referring to him as “Cher Papa.” Franklin himself stated that he learned to speak French by lounging on the pillows of his French mistresses.

But of course, that’s not what made him famous. Benjamin Franklin was usually out and about town, forming new social clubs, creating business partnerships, and reaching out to others to help achieve a common goal. Even his writing sought to interact with people by giving advice and encouraging others to improve themselves.

James Madison recalled: “Washington was not fluent or ready in conversation, and was inclined to be taciturn in general society. In the company of two or three intimate friends, however, he was talkative, and when a little excited was sometimes fluent and even eloquent.”

George Washington liked nothing more than the quiet life of farming and staying home with his wife, but again and again—duty called him away.

Benjamin Franklin (ESTJ) / George Washington (ISTJ)