Inward and Outward People

It's fascinating how we interact with others, especially when we consider the fundamental differences between what I call "inward people" and "outward people." From my own experience, understanding these distinctions has been a game-changer in navigating relationships. An outward person, often aligned with the anxious side of the spectrum, tends to be more outwardly expressive. When something's on their mind, bothering them, they release those strong emotions by talking outwardly. A lot of their thoughts are directed towards the external, seeking validation, solutions, or just a sounding board. They might feel a strong urge to communicate immediately, believing that discussion is the path to resolution. I've definitely been there, needing to process things aloud. On the flip side, an inward person often leans towards avoidance. This could manifest as a fearful avoidant partner or a dismissive avoidant partner. They are more inward, meaning they tend to keep their thoughts to themselves. They suppress their emotions, sometimes even to the degree that they themselves don't know that they have an emotion. It's not that they don't feel deeply, but their processing happens internally, often leading to a perceived lack of response or engagement from an outward perspective. Now, here's where the dynamic gets really interesting, and sometimes, challenging. As the text from my image highlights, the outward person often releases their emotion onto the inward person, who then tends to soak them all up and suppress it with many other things they've been suppressing as well. This pattern can lead to significant issues like burnout from compromising, or even resentment. The outward person might feel unheard or frustrated by the lack of immediate emotional reciprocity, while the inward person might feel overwhelmed or misunderstood, believing they’re constantly absorbing others' emotional weight without a healthy outlet for their own. From my perspective, navigating this requires both self-awareness and empathy. If you're an outward person, try to recognize your partner's need for internal processing and give them space before expecting an immediate response. If you're an inward person, gently push yourself to find healthy ways to express those suppressed emotions, perhaps through journaling or finding a trusted confidante. Both types embark on an inward and outward journey of self-discovery and relationship growth. It’s not about changing who you fundamentally are, but understanding these tendencies can help you build stronger, more empathetic connections, preventing that cycle of release and suppression from causing deeper rifts.