Jen Granneman is changing lives and making it easier for other introverts to embrace their introversion and understand how to thrive, not just survive. Learn how introverts can dive deep within their relationships and their interests. Jenn is on a mission to let introverts everywhere know it’s okay to be who they are. She has advocated for introverts since 2013, when she created IntrovertDear.com, the popular online community and publication for introverts. For most of her life, she felt weird, different, and out of place because of her quiet ways; now, she writes about introversion because she doesn’t want other introverts to feel the way she did. Jenn lives in Minnesota with her two cats. She's the author of the book, The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World. Nuggets of Wisdom from Jenn: "Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.” (from Susan Kane, author of QUIET. This quote reminds me that my time is really my time." "I just try to pay attention to how I’m feeling both in the moment and after something, after an event." "For most of my life, I felt like there was something wrong with me. I bet a lot of introverts can relate to this sentiment. Growing up, the teacher said, 'You’re so quiet.' My parents prodded, 'Why don’t you talk more?' And I inevitably got what I call in my book an 'Introvert Hangover,' which is when you feel physically unwell from too much socializing. I wondered why other people could keep on going. Why could they keep going the next day or later in the night?" "When I read the book called, The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney, I actually cried because I never felt so understood in my life. I realized there was a word for what I was, an Introvert, and it really seemed like a magic word to me. It’s so magical because it explained so many of the things that I struggled with for my entire life. Things that made me feel bad about myself. And best of all, that word meant I wasn’t alone - there were other people out there like me, other introverts. So say what you will about labeling, but that little label changed my life!" "I read about introverts because I never want a quiet person to feel the way I did growing up. I just had this compulsion that I had to reach out to other introverts and start connecting with them, to start letting them know what I had discovered." Some of Jenn's Favorite Things: "Introverts prefer quiet, low-key environments. We assume they don’t like people - it’s just that they need that down time to show up. They prefer quality over quantity, to dive deep in interests and relationships, to seek meaning in all that they do - DEEP, like to write their thoughts." "Introverted kids get less attention in a classroom. Don’t SHAME introversion." Habit:  "DOWN TIME, being alone each day. Even if it's just 10 minutes. Being alone may be the best way to truly rest, whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert. It keeps me from getting cranky. Being alone may be the best time to truly rest, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert." Favorite Book: "The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney" - It explores the biological base for introversion. Favorite Kitchen Gadget: Tupperware What does it mean to be a Vibrant Happy Woman?: "Working with introversion rather than fighting against it. Having solitude. Not only to survive, but to thrive! Not comparing myself to extroverts and others. As an introvert, I have my own strengths. Speaking up for my needs because my introvert needs are valid too." A Challenge from Jenn: "Do something ALONE (walk, book, movie). Remember, being alone is the best way to relax, whether you are an introvert or an extrovert. If there’s one thing that we women need in this busy and modern society, it’s more rest." Resources Quiet by Susan Kane. Introvert, Dear The Secret Lives of Introverts: Inside Our Hidden World The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney Tupperware The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide