As a deep thinking introvert, it can be hard to understand your emotions. These rare words perfectly describe some of the ways introverts commonly feel.

Sometimes it is hard to put a name to the emotions we feel. Luckily we can find rare words from the past and from other languages that can help us to understand and express how we feel.

The following 10 rare words could change the way you feel about being a deep thinking introvert, make you feel better about your emotions and let you know that you are not alone.

People from the ancient past and all around the world clearly deal with difficult emotions and have some great words to describe them. Words are powerful and we can use them to good effect.

1. Kaukokaipuu

This rare word from Finland means feeling homesickness for a place you have never been. Though it may seem impossible to feel homesickness for somewhere you have never visited, it is common among people who have migrated across the world. There can be a sense of longing for a homeland even if you have always lived somewhere else.

Kaukokaipuu can also be used for an extreme longing to be somewhere far away. Introverts might feel this same sort of longing when they have been around others for too long and have a homesickness for being alone in their own space and with their own thoughts.

2. Malu

Malu is an Indonesian word that describes the sudden experience of feeling awkward around people of higher status. This can be a particular problem for introverts.

We know we are reasonable, intelligent and socially able, however, when we meet someone in authority, suddenly we can’t think of a single intelligent thing to say. Though we might feel embarrassed when that happens, the people of Indonesia see it as a mark of respect shown to someone of higher status than ourselves.

3. Pluviophile

Pluviophile

A pluviophile is someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days. Looking out through a rainy window from the comfort of a sofa, snuggled under a blanket and with a good book is one of the pleasures many introverts love. There is no guilt about getting out and enjoying the sunshine. We can indulge in our desire to just snuggle up. Bring on the storm!

4. Desiderium

Desiderium is an ardent desire or longing; especially a feeling of grief for something lost. This is a common experience for deep thinking introverts as they spend a lot of time in their own heads examining their own thoughts.

Unfortunately, these inner thoughts can sometimes take a melancholy turn and leave us feeling sad for things lost. But this can be bittersweet for us as we remember wonderful past times and loved ones.

5. Compunctious

Compunctious describes the feeling when we are remorseful, but for a relatively minor offense. It’s not like we did something dreadful, but we still feel a little guilty.

For an introvert, it might perfectly describe how we feel after we canceled on plans. We may feel like we have let others down and wish that we could be more sociable and with that comes some regrets. But ultimately we have to embrace and accept ourselves just the way we are.

6. Alexithymia

Alexithymia means an inability to identify and express or describe one’s feelings. This word is currently primarily used as a psychiatric term. However, I think it is useful. There are plenty of times when we feel generally unsettled for no apparent reason.

Introverts sometimes feel like this when they have been in company a lot and just need some alone time.

7. Leucocholy

Leucocholy is a state of feeling that accompanies a preoccupation with trivial and insipid diversions.

Thomas Gray describes leucocholy like this:  ‘though it seldom laughs or dances, nor ever amounts to what one calls joy or pleasure, yet is a good easy sort of a state’.

Feeling this way doesn’t have the excitement of more passionate feelings, but as a general comfortable feeling, it’s a good one to have. There is no pressure to be adventurous or have excitement, it’s just a relaxed and happy state when we can potter around doing nothing in particular.

It seems like a word to describe how you feel while reading a slightly trashy book, indulging in a Netflix binge or a whiling away a few hours clicking random stuff on the internet.

8 Compathy

Compathy is a shared feeling such as one of joy or sorrow. While introverts don’t like to be in big groups for too long, they love small intimate groups or one to one meetings with those they have a deep connection with.

Compathy perfectly describes those special talks we have with our closest loved ones where we can share our pain and joy and develop a closer understanding of one another.

9. All-overish

All-overish means vaguely uneasy, slightly indisposed or apprehensive. Introverts often feel this about meeting new people.

We know we will probably be fine and will probably even enjoy certain aspects of an event once we arrive, but we can’t really relax when there is the prospect of a social occasion on the horizon.

10. Sophophilic

The last of our rare words comes from Ancient Greece and is used to describe a person who loves to gather knowledge with higher emphasis on wisdom. Aristotle and Socrates were great sophophiles.

Deep thinking introverts usually love to spend time learning, thinking, and finding ways to use their knowledge to help others. Not much pleases an introvert more than a quiet hour when we can get into a great book that teaches us new wisdom about life and the human condition.

I hope you find these rare words interesting and useful. Let us know if you have any great words that describe tricky emotions.

indescribable emotions and feelings

References:

  1. http://www.dictionary.com
  2. https://www.thecut.com

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