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Karon Mitchell's avatar

Oh, I really love this one Karun! When I read research, analyze, map out everything and consequences of consequences I just laughed out loud.

Sometimes, when I’m having difficulty making a decision (looking at samples of paint colors for hours and hours for example) I just have to tell myself “Stop! It’s just a paint color choice!”

Anyway thanks much for sharing this with us introverts. I intend to get your book!

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T.N. McLelland's avatar

I can totally relate to the anxiety of making the wrong choice. I painted my walls 10 years ago and hate the color. I kept thinking I needed more time and I’d learn to like it. I couldn’t bring myself to hang anything on the walls. I finally repainted a couple weeks ago and I’ve hung up something on every wall. I finally feel at peace. Now I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Hahaha. Always something.

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Skott Jones's avatar

always, right?! happy for you and your walls 😉👌🏼

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Skott Jones's avatar

sooo relate to your paint example. there is a fear behind making the “wrong” choice isn’t there? a fear that can cause anxiety akin to feeling like a tiger’s on the prowl in the store!

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Skott Jones's avatar

thank you for sharing. a very interesting take on self-doubt for those disposed to a more sensitive nature with a rich (ok raucous at times lol) internal world. i also think a lot of our self-doubt stems from “people pleasing” behavior since introverts are wired to read their environments so acutely, thus taking care to avoid stepping where we know we may receive backlash that wounds us. the cure to “people pleasing” is allowing others to hold opinions on anything and everything we say or do, and allowing us to make sure first and foremost we are the ones who are pleased by actions that align with our deepest values.

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Mary Lib Bird's avatar

At 82 with a diagnosis of breast cancer and a degenerative neurological disease, plus a nursing background, I have a realistic outlook on my future. I’m willing to have the tumor removed but not willing to endure the “cure“ which is not guaranteed. I desperately need for my exit to be on my terms. Please hear me………

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Karun Pal's avatar

You're gonna be okay. You have the right to live on your terms. Trust your intuition.

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Dr. Julie Kellogg's avatar

Thank you for writing this for all of us introverts in the world.

When I am in analysis paralysis, I often just put the decision away. When the choice becomes clear or the deadline arrives, my decision is usually clear.

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Judy Carnivale's avatar

I am blown away by your writing. At 76, I’m learning about myself. Thank you.

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Randy Hightower's avatar

Deep insight. I thought something was wrong with me the majority of my youth. Thanks for making clear what seemed to be without reason.

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Brooke Lee's avatar

I loved the book “Quiet: The Power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking” by Susan Cain

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Gantry Praw's avatar

Excited to read your book. I have had ALL leukemia 6x in 8 years. I have followed the traditional big pharma protocols including 3 stem/bone marrow transplants. The disease keeps coming back. I have transitioned to a protocol that treats with supplements, energy and natural modalities. i still feel vulnerable to the disease and I think this is WHY! I am an introvert and have been holding guilt and shame since I was a child because of all of the characteristics of an introvert and trying to live in a world that makes it difficult for us. Looking forward to learning how to release this trauma. With love - gantry

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Karun Pal's avatar

You're gonna heal. Believe you can. Shame and guilty can literally cause diseases in our bodies. Because you're holding in so much pain and suffering. Once you release it, forgive the ones who gave you trauma and finally forgive yourself, healing begins. I've experienced it myself and shared it in the book. Good luck. Sending you love and blessings.

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Gantry Praw's avatar

Thank you for the support and for responding! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 with gratitude ❤️

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Kathryn Johnson's avatar

Oh, Karun! Your writing so speaks to me! The “wait…what if” statement haunts my life. Even things that happened 10+ years ago!!! But you give me hope that I can work through this, that I can trust myself. I have found that during this past year I have learned to stand up for myself more. I left a job that wasn’t for me and found one that find true joy in. This has been a hard year for me as I have (and am) navigating life after divorce, but as I trust myself more, I am finding more positivity in my life. But, I’ve still got a long way to go! Thank you for your words, they mean so much to me!

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SPBH2O's avatar

This really resonated with me, thank you!

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The Magus's avatar

An amazing piece, covers exactly what I’ve been struggling with recently. So glad this popped up on my feed

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~Rainswept~'s avatar

love it so much karun! although, im not sure I 100% agree w subjective truth I feel everything else <3

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Peacefulturtle's avatar

Beautiful work; thank you!

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David Allweiss's avatar

This must become secondary to confidence and self-esteem.

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Skott Jones's avatar

agreed. if we don’t first believe in our own worth and capabilities, self-doubt continues to be a weed in the garden we’re trying to grow. not sure if it works the other way

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Anton Wolvekamp's avatar

Thanks to Substack's recommendations this post is one of the first I read since I discovered Substack. I never knew that I was so much more an introvert until now. Thank you so much, Karun, for guiding in me into (un)known territory and finally recognize where and why most of my doubts originate.

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Adam Shelton's avatar

This did not just speak to me it shouted in my face. In a good way. Thank you. Very well put across.

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