LOVE: 8 tips on dating an introvert

An introvert is a person who enjoys spending time with close friends, or people they’re thoroughly comfortable with. For an introvert, comfort is incredibly important and can ultimately dictate their enjoyment, or displeasure that they feel associated with a person or event. Introverts will rarely find joy in going out to a bar, or partying with a large group of new faces. Introverts are people who take alone time seriously, and oftentimes spend vast amounts of their time thinking. Here are 8 tips for dating an introvert and swooning them off their feet. The best way to love someone is to respect them for who they are.

Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That’s what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is. — Jim Morrison 

 #1. Take Things Slowly.
Introverts are typically less open to new experiences and ideas when they are not ready to take on those things. Don’t pressure an introvert into doing things, or try to make them an extrovert. Dating an introvert is an investment of time, and it’s something that has to be fully respected by both parties involved. Build trust by doing things within the introverts comfort zone, while also keeping communication open to better understand what makes the introvert comfortable versus uncomfortable. Introduce them to your friends but do it slowly, and make sure you balance one-on-one time with introduction time, and new experiences.

 #2. Appreciate Them.
Introverts have a difficult time gathering up the courage to communicate how they feel to the people around them, unless they’re people who are exceptionally close to them. Opening up to someone shows a sense of comfort and that’s something that takes time to develop. That is trust, and easy ways to develop that trust is by appreciating them. That means thanking them for opening up, or talking, encouraging them to say more, empathizing with their feelings and compliment them for something they are proud of or vocal about. You should never take any of this for granted, give unsolicited opinions or discourage them from being who they are. If you’re serious about the relationship, the last thing you want to do is take for granted the fact that they are, or have been opening up to you or make them feel like they’re not appreciated as a whole.

 #3. Respect Space.
Introverts don’t necessarily need to be locked into their comfort zone 24/7, but they do prefer spending most of their time in that space. Feeling forced to socialize with other people, especially those who the introvert doesn’t know, can instantly make an introvert shy away and shut down. At least when the relationship is new, and you’re still trying to understand the introvert – attempt to spend as much time as possible in comfort zones. From time to time, the introvert will want to just spend time alone, and not be at the devices of another person. At the very least, they will want to spend one-on-one time if they don’t want to be alone.

 #4 Texting.
Introverts may prefer texting more because it gives them the opportunity to feel more private in the way they’re communicating. There aren’t any eyes on them, and they’re do things on a very low key scale. They will feel more comfortable, and more willing to open up via text message at first because they will also feel as though the consequences of their actions will be less expansive. If you’re texting as a method to establish plans, and you suddenly include someone that was previously not disclosed in your conversations in your plans then you can expect to not have plans with them again for a while unless it’s crystal clear what the expectations are going in.

 #5 Avoid Labels. - they are for clothes !
The last thing an introvert wants to hear is someone calling them an introvert, or knocking them down for the fact that they do not thoroughly enjoy the company of others. Understand that, and appreciate the fact that they are yours, and that their mood when with you will jump from content to hyper and that’s normal. When an introvert is getting comfortable with you, the last thing they need is a label to derail their progress.

 #6 Understand Them.
Plan dates, put yourself in the introverts comfort zone, communicate, and do it all over again. Easily the most important thing for an introvert is to feel as though they’re genuinely understood. Nothing means more to an introvert. Hanging out in the library, at the house, or just taking a nice walk at the park – can be quiet ways to remind the introvert that you genuinely understand them and more importantly accept them.

 #7 Pay Attention.
Be sensitive to when an introvert might be feeling uncomfortable. For example, if you sense that in a social situation, they start to back out or pull away – try to guide them. However, at the same time don’t go wildly introducing them to new situations. Paying attention includes the very basic concept which includes understanding that they’re an introvert to begin with.

 #8 Don’t Give Up.
Dating an introvert might become tiring because sometimes you might feel as though you’re putting yourself on reserve. But, if you both enjoy each others company and understand why the person is the way they are, what more could you ask for? Spend more time finding common ground. Just like you’re trying hard to adapt or get an introvert out of their shell, an introvert is trying just as hard to adopt you into their own life, and show you the inner-most portions of their life. Bottom line, if you genuinely care never give up, just be patient.

source -  http://reluv.co/8-tips-on-dating-an-introvert/8/