Is It Possible to Be Too Extraverted?

Main character energy refers to confidence, charisma, and self-assuredness that leads someone to take a leading role rather than acting as a supporting cast member. High extraversion often brings energy, excitement, talkativeness, assertiveness, and emotional expressiveness, which can support social and professional performance. Very high extraversion can also create downsides, including saying yes to plans that later feel regrettable and blurting out comments in the moment. It can also make routine tasks feel suffocating and contribute to restlessness in relationships that do not provide constant novelty. A strong pull toward the spotlight can further create selfishness and attention-seeking behavior that harms close relationships.

"Main character energy refers to the confidence, charisma, and self-assuredness that we often see in the main characters from our favorite books, shows, and movies. Embracing main character energy means taking a leading role in your life rather than living as a supporting cast member for others. Although this is generally something to aspire to, it may be possible to go too far."

"People who are higher in extraversion approach the world with energy and excitement. They tend to be talkative, assertive, and emotionally expressive, often performing well in professional and social settings. Sounds great, right? But personality research tells us that very high extraversion is not a uniformly positive thing."

"For example, the excitement-seeking that makes extraverts so engaging in social situations can also show up as saying yes to plans you'll later regret or blurting out a comment in the moment that you'd take back if you could. Next, extraverts tend to thrive on stimulation and variety, which can make routine tasks feel suffocating and create restlessness in relationships that don't constantly deliver something new."

"Take "Sex and the City"'s Carrie Bradshaw. She is charming, funny, and often very likable. At the same time, she's pretty selfish about craving the spotlight. She can turn any conversation into a discussion about herself and seeks a high degree of external attention. Her main character energy (also known as very high extraversion) is both a strength and a liability that causes problems in her close relationships."

Read at Psychology Today