91av

Letter: Thoughts on being an independent "otrovert" (1)

Published 3 September 2025

From Sonia Novo, Halle, Belgium

The article about otroverts, a new personality type, really resonated with me. Growing up, I also felt pressured to join the Scouts, but I never wanted to and my parents respected that(16 August, p 19).

It was clear to me from a very young age that I didn’t quite belong and that I didn’t really care to. I completely agree with Rami Kaminski that this let me tread my own path without the constraints of any group’s unwritten rules.

I also share his view that otroverts can and do form meaningful connections with others. Without the pressure to please members of a group, we don’t have bonds with others just because “we’re all part of the pack”; instead, we are free to expend more energy creating real bonds with those we are truly fond of. I am glad to see this recognised as simply a different way of seeing the world. But, to be honest, my happiness has never depended on it.

Issue no. 3559 published 6 September 2025

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