For my entire life I have felt deeply aligned with “Camp Introvert.” I’m happy to chat to humans in the real world, face to face, have interesting conversations and share laugh-out-loud moments. Just not too often… or for too long!
In reality, I’m happiest at home. Being completely alone with my imagination is just fine. I’m OK with teamwork, even leading teams, but do my best work on my own. Alone time helps me recharge my batteries so I’m ready for the next round of people-ing. Obviously I’m ok with sharing a home with my family, friends and pets. (But I do tend to go to bed early if everyone has been around all day; I know my limits!)
My hubby is much more of an extrovert; he loves going to new places and meeting new people. He can chat the night away with strangers and draws energy from each interaction. As such, our different outlooks can be… awkward. Compromises need to be made… repeatedly… by both of us.
Turns out, we might not have to choose between being an extrovert or an introvert. There is an emerging category of personality types which is labelled OTROVERT.
What is an otrovert?
The term “otrovert” is a neologism coined by psychiatrist Rami Kaminski in his 2025 book The Gift of Not Belonging. The term comes from the Spanish word “otro” which means “other,” combined with the Latin suffix “-vert” which means “to turn.”
Here’s how Kaminski’s book landing page describes it:
Were you the kid who never wanted to join after school clubs or go to sleepaway camp? Do you loathe parties but love spending time with close friends one-on-one? Are you allergic to teamwork but thrive creatively and professionally when working alone? Do you struggle to fit in? If so, you are likely an otrovert.
Otroverts are not natural born joiners. Unlike introverts, they are not shy or quiet, and do not quickly tire from one-on-one socializing. Yet in large groups they feel uncomfortable, alienated, and alone.
Unlike those who have been excluded or marginalized, otroverts are embraced and often quite popular. Yet they never feel like they truly belong.
In a culture that puts a premium on joining, many otroverts have gone through life feeling misunderstood.
When I went looking for more information, I found a few sites that explained it. All are listed at the end of this post. As a visual learner, I did an image search to see if I could find an infographic to get my info faster… alas… there were none. But I did find the book’s cover image, and a text-graphic, both of which I’m putting below:
[Image source: The Otherness Institute | The Gift Of Not Belonging – The Otherness Institute]
[Image source: What Is an Otrovert? 5 Interesting Personality Signs To Know]
What are the traits of an otrovert?
ClevelandClinic.org says there are 3 distinguishing features of this personality type: Strong sense of independence, Comfortable in social settings, and Little conern about fitting in.
TheMindsJounral.com nominates 5 key points: Independent thinking, Socially flexible, Authentic, Adaptable energy, and Comfortable with contradictions.
ScienceofPeople.com, meanwhile, says there are 7 indicators: Prefer one-on-one conversations, Emotionally independent, Not into groupthink, Study humans like an anthropologist, Friendships are compartmentalized, Small talk is a foreign language, and, Comfortable being misunderstood.
Out of those 15 indicators, I scored a 12.
That’s a made-up test score of 80% – is that enough to call myself an otrovert?
What does the otrovert source material say?
Impatient person that I am, before I read too much about this subject, I noticed that there was a test you could take to see what personality type you might be, and of course I had to do it. As always – click any links in this post at your own discretion, I can’t be responsible for what happens to your computer once you leave my site. I can tell you, however, that I clicked the link and remain here, online, to tell the tale.
The Otherness Institute | Take the test – The Otherness Institute
NOTE: the test has about 40 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete. Most importantly – it requires you to provide an email address to receive the answer.
It also automatically subscribes you to their mailing list, but once the first email comes through, you can decide whether to unsubscribe. I have chosen to keep getting occasional emails for now, because…. drum roll please…
Interestingly – a score of 205 out of 280 translates to a score of 73% – so maybe my pretend test out of 15 is not so bad if you want to save yourself 10 minutes and a subscription!
From the little brochure that I received for joining the otrovert club, there were a lot of comments that I totally get. Such as: “You are comfortable being alone and uneasily lonely amid a group of people.” Or: “You do not need a lot of ‘stuff,’ but love what you have.”
This too is very real: “Otroverts experience every group gathering,
even of those familiar, as being unpleasant. There are two settings most conducive to peace of mind for an otrovert: being alone and being with a loved one.”
There were, however, a few otrovert traits that I don’t think belong to me. For example: “You can powerfully tune in and connect with another person’s mind. However, you cannot experience how a group thinks collectively.” That ‘aint me. Not only did I run teams as a Project Manager, but I knew how to read a room and was very aware of subtle shifts in the mood of the moment, and the ripple effects that were likely to flow into the wider project team.
A couple of comments I agreed with, but they also made me think: “huh?!?” For example, I can’t remember any question in the quiz that would lead to the conclusion: “You are interested in biology.”
That said, the advice which followed, did make me think of my PhD. My research was positioned at the intersection of architecture, literature and philosophy. I also presented my final thesis in an unusual way, as part case study, part short-story narrative. And, after reviewing several existing models, I created a new, synthesized version all of my own. So maybe they’re right:
You tend to be fascinated by the microscopic as well as the cosmic
and have a particular aptitude to see connections between the
realm of biology, physics, and philosophy. Otroverts have a trait
that is quite handy in developing original theories: they are able
to synthesize seemingly disparate observations from multiple
directions into a coherent and new hypothesis. Many discoveries
have always been in plain sight but needed the multivariate mind,
the solipsistic observation of the physical and biological world, and
the propensity for thought experiments.
This makes me happy. But also, a little… hmmm… queasy? I like the term “multivariate mind” and will keep it up my sleeve. Using so many big words all together, however, reminds me of peak academia. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just that so much jargon always gives me ‘us-and-them’ vibes. With all possible respect, I feel as if understanding should be open to all, not suggestive of some high-level intellectual exclusivity. Does that make me even more otroverty? Who knows?
Anyway – I don’t know what I intend to do with this new diagnosis. I guess I’ll sleep on it. Or use it as an excuse to get out of the next big party I’m invited to!
Take care taking care, whatever type of ‘vert’ you are!
Linda xx
*
PS – “ambivert” is yet another personality type. It sits between introvert and extrovert and displays characteristics of both. Are ambivert and otrovert the same thing? No. According to one of the sites (here), “here’s the nuance: ambiverts naturally balance introversion and extraversion […] But otroverts are different, they’re not ‘in the middle,’ but outside the box entirely.”
PPS – here are the reference links:
The Otherness Institute | The Gift Of Not Belonging – The Otherness Institute
Otrovert: What It Is and Common Traits
7 Signs You’re an “Otrovert” (The New Personality Type)
What Is an Otrovert? 5 Interesting Personality Signs To Know
Whatever the websites say – keep being beautifully YOU! xx
Leave a Reply