Ten Ways in Which Jackie Kennedy was the Perfect Introvert

Come of age! Introversion is a legitimate personality style. Introverts have special needs and a different kind of self care than their more numerous companions, the extroverts. Jackie Kennedy is almost the quintessential introvert. Let's look at her characteristics and learn about self care.

1. Introverts are territorial.
When the paparazzi got too close to Jackie Kennedy she hit them with her purse.

2. Introverts love privacy, long walks, quiet times and reading.
When Jackie's mother married Hugh Auchincloss, they moved to a private estate where the gifts of privacy, walks in nature, quiet times and reading were readily available. Although divorce is always upsetting to children, one might hypothesize that Jackie gained some things that were even more important to her well being.

3. Introverts speak softly, especially when they are saying something important.
Jackie's voice was unique and a major characteristic of her impact on people.

4. Introverts prefer reading and writing to other means of communication.
When Jack Kennedy was on the campaign trail, Jackie was often found off to the side somewhere reading a philosophy book in French.

5. Introverts appear shy, even weak, but they can stand alone and they don't care what other people think. This can be a great gift where authenticity is concerned.
Jackie did not hide her distaste for many aspects of politics and was not afraid to make a strong personal statement -- not in words but in the actions. This is a very introverted characteristic.

6. The inner life is the most important.
Jackie has often been quoted as saying that parenting was the single most important and overriding concern and accomplisment of her life, which was filled with things that many poeple consider more important. However, they are external things: wealth, romance, fame, success, adoration, glamour, popularity, etc. Jackie's inner life dictated devotion to her children.

7. Introverts seek authentic meaning in their lives.
Certainly Jackie Kennedy Onassis was a woman who never had to work a day in her life but she chose to enter the field of publishing in her forties. The books she edited were personally meaningful to her.

8. Introverts love nature and the outdoors.
Jackie Kennedy was often photographed in sail boats, on yachts, horseback riding and walking in Central Park.

9. Introverts require privacy.
Perhaps one of the greatest appeals of Aristotle Onassis was that he owned the island of Skorpios.

10. Introverts give energy to others and can become exhausted from too much social interaction.
Jackie Kennedy was well known for remaining in the privacy of her bedroom until mid morning and seeking seclusion in many other ways.