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 charcteristics 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, walks
in nature, 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.