Following up on what I said above, it’s not unusual for an introvert artist to hide their creative passion from close ones. For me, it always feels a little weird to tell a close friend—someone I’ve known for years—that I actually love making artwork.
They’re usually like, “Wait, what? How did I not know that?”
Well… probably because I don’t usually do those things in front of people. I need some me time to process how I feel—and more often than not, those feelings come out later through an artwork or a piece of poetry I create when I’m by myself.
For me, creativity happens when I’m alone and things around me are the way I want—music, quiet, podcast, whatever I feel like in the moment. That love for solitary art-making makes it harder for people to see my creative side.
…and the other way round: it also makes it more difficult for me to share with someone close what I’m doing. It’s like letting someone peek behind the curtain.
Close relationships tend to settle into familiar roles: “You’re the funny one,” “I’m the quiet one,” “You’re the extrovert,” “I’m the listener,” etc.
When an introvert suddenly shows a different, more expressive side of themselves—like an emotional poem or artwork—it’s like shifting the dynamic.
Naturally, that change can be uncomfortable—both for the artist and the other person.
I really connected with this post. Being an introvert myself, it’s so comforting to see someone else express the challenges that come with it. Your honesty about balancing the need for solitude with the demands of the art world really resonated. It’s encouraging to know there are ways to navigate that without feeling like you have to change who you are. Thanks for sharing such a genuine perspective!
Hi, Andrea! Thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot to me to hear that from my readers. I’m glad this perspective brought you some comfort (: