I like spending time alone. A lot. Sure, I have a close group of friends that I LOVE spending time with. And given the opportunity, I would probably pick to hang out with them over hanging out with myself. But at the end of the day, social situations exhaust me and I recharge with a good book or an hour of Netflix.

Until recently, I was under the impression that it was bad to be an introvert. I thought that only weird, awkward, shy people were considered introverts. Granted, I am most of those things on any given day day, but I wouldn't use those words when describing my overall personality. Instead, introverts are simply people who get their energy from being alone.

Popular cultures tell us that being extroverted is better. Some job descriptions even ask that people applying have an extroverted personality. What people don't understand is that introverts can do everything extroverts do. Introverts can hold leadership positions, introverts can make new friends, and introverts can be outgoing. The difference between introverts and extroverts comes in where each will spend after a long day. The extrovert might want to hang out in a large group, and the introvert will likely want to relax on the couch with a cup of tea.

I used to fall into the category of introverts who desperately wanted to be extroverts. I would lie on personality tests so the results would come back as extrovert. I would go to parties and try so hard to strike up conversation with people. I used to organize large group hangouts and panic over trying to start discussions. Then I realized that I was trying to be something I'm just not. I don't need the approval of other people when it comes to identifying as an introvert/extrovert. I'm very content in accepting that I am, and always have been, an introvert. I just never wanted to admit it to all my extroverted friends. Which, by the way, have not changed due to my new personality acceptance.

Now that I'm not trying to impress strangers with my conversation skills, I have been able to really dive into existing relationships. It is so much easier to have a strong friendship with someone when you aren't worried about what kind of judgments they will make about you. Accepting my introversion has also allowed me to become a better listener. When I was trying to be an extrovert, I would feel the need to talk -- about anything, really -- and that led me away from being an active listener.

All in all, I'm happy with being an introvert. And I'd be happy being an extrovert. Most importantly, I'm happy that I figured out it's okay to be an introvert in an extrovert's world. It's okay to stay in on a Friday night. And it's okay to go out. It's okay to spend some quiet time alone. And it's okay to spend time with groups. It's all okay, as long as you aren't doing it to please the status quo.