Welcome to our Introvert Interviews series, where we talk to introverts from all walks of life about their experiences and their introversion.
Meet Sarah Van Winkle. She’s is a physical therapist who taps into her introvert strengths when working with patients.
What was your reaction when you first learned you were an introvert?
I was reading about it in a psychology class in high school and as I was reading I thought, “Huh, that sounds about right.” I had always known there was something different about me, but I couldn’t place it, so when I read about it I felt almost relieved; it was like I finally had answers to why I didn’t have a ton of friends or why I liked to be home by myself if I had a choice.
What first drew you to being a physical therapist?
As I started to get older I started to enjoy the sciences, especially human biology and anatomy. As I thought about things more I knew that I wanted to be in the medical field, but I did not want to be a doctor (way too much schooling) and I did not want to be a nurse (my aunt had many stories that made it seem rather unappealing to me). My dad actually suggested being a physical therapist; I looked into it and thought it sounded pretty interesting.
As I looked into the job description and observed different settings of physical therapy I really liked how much of an impact I could make on someone’s life. I liked the fact I could work one on one with someone, and that the job would be different every day. I also realized that each patient is like a puzzle waiting to be solved as well; I like to solve puzzles.
How much of an effect do you think being an introvert has had on your career?
I think it has made a profound effect on my career. On the whole, introverts tend to have better observation skills than most. This is extremely helpful when it comes to my patients. I need an eye for detail to see slight changes in how someone is moving or performing a certain task. It is also a plus being an introvert because, again as a whole, introverts seem to read people well and are good listeners. This helps me because I can see when someone is in pain and still trying to push through it, or just notice that something is “off” with a patient and give them the opportunity to share what is going on if they choose to; a little mind therapy as well as body therapy.
Being an introvert also has its challenges as a physical therapist. I can see up to 12 patients in one day which means there is a plethora of small talk. It also means 12 different people with a multitude of complaints who I need to lend an ear to and give advice to. I have to focus on each patient like they are the first patient I have seen that day; they need and deserve my full attention which drains me, some days more than others.
Are you aware of your introversion while doing physical therapy?
I most definitely am, although I was not always; I just recently started to look more into introversion. I find myself almost completely drained after a long day at work, especially if my schedule was full. If I do have an opening, especially in the afternoon, I try and just sit at my desk and comb the internet or read a little in order to recharge. As funny as this is, I do sometimes find myself retreating to the bathroom for a little piece and quiet (there are 6-8 other therapists in my clinic at one time, so it can become slightly overwhelming at times).
As I go through the day, I try and think of ways I can conserve energy in order to not be a cranky mess for my last patients of the day; sometimes I am not that successful, but I have become a pretty good actress with patients so they are none the wiser.
Do you do anything in particular to recharge from a long day?
After my days at work I tend to go back to my apartment, eat, and just watch tv. I live alone which is nice because then I can get away from people for the rest of the evening.
If it’s been a particularly long day I may go to bed earlier than usual as I’m usually ready for it.
Your Twitter bio says you’re a wanderlust. What’s your favorite place you’ve been to?
I’m pretty well traveled around the United States with some overseas travel in the recent year. Picking one place is pretty hard. One place I have been more than anywhere is Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It is one of my favorite places to go, although it seems strange since there are all sorts of crowds.
I love Colorado/Yellowstone because of the gorgeous scenery; I call myself an amateur photographer and love to shoot out there.
I have enjoyed New York City and Boston as well as there is so much history in those areas. I like the big cities because I feel like I can get lost in the crowds.
If you were able to travel back in time, is there any advice you would give to your younger introverted self?
I always felt like something was missing when I was younger because I wasn’t like all my friends; I didn’t want to be involved in a lot of activities nor did I have that one group of friends I always hung out with. I felt like an outsider because of all of that; that I did not belong. I was not made fun of in school because of this, but I knew I was different.
If I could give my younger self advice I would tell her that it’s ok that I was different. That just because my sister or other friends had a lot of people to hang out with didn’t mean I had to. I would tell her to stop trying to force herself to do things she did not want to do, and just embrace the fact that she’s unique.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would say that the sooner someone can realize and embrace the fact that they’re an introvert the better. I went through quite a few years that I was not entirely happy because I was acting the way society expected me to act and not the way I preferred to act or live my life. Now, don’t get me wrong, sometimes you have to do things you don’t like, but if there is a choice don’t feel like you have to conform to the expectations of society.
Lastly, learning that perfect balance of stimulated verses overstimulated is important. Trust me, every introvert, heck almost everyone, has a balance between stimulated enough and over stimulated; find your balance because that makes for a less cranky you and a better experience for everyone. I spent many years being overstimulated and once I figured out how to “de-stimulate” my life I became a whole different person; someone that knows her boundaries and someone that is a lot happier because of it.
Do you have a blog or Twitter handle you’d like to share?
My Twitter handle is @Van_Wink. I don’t tweet very often, but feel free to follow.
