If you ask anyone who knows me if I'm more of an introvert or an extrovert, they would probably say, "Oh, she's definitely an extrovert," or something along the lines of, "She's got two volumes: loud and louder!" I'll be honest here: I'm definitely a talkative person. I can meet someone new, and they'll end up knowing my entire life story in about 5 minutes. In group projects, I'm usually obliged to be the first one to speak up and get a conversation going. Some might assume that I can talk about basically anything without hesitation. For the most part, these assumptions aren't wrong.

I have a confession to make: I'm ultimately an extrovert, but I have some introverted tendencies.

I'm not a huge fan of being the center of attention. I'm all for attending social events that are hosted by other people. I'll have the time of my life at any form of a social event but if it's being hosted for my sake--especially without my knowledge--I won't know what to do, and may start to feel a bit uncomfortable. It's humbling, but I just don't know how to accept being the center of attention without making a complete fool of myself.

I have no trouble striking up conversation if I'm comfortable, but if I'm forced to make friends in an unfamiliar atmosphere then it's quite a struggle. Sometimes, I don't know what to say, especially if the other person isn't willing to speak up first which means I have to initiate the conversation and end up saying the wrong thing. I hate that; it makes a terrible first impression and I look like an idiot.

I'm willing to listen rather than speak at times. If I have nothing to say, then I'll remain quiet and let other people talk. Now, if I have something important to say and no one takes heed of that, even if I make it known, it kind of annoys me. If I have to vent or let something out and I'm forced to bottle it up, then I'll eventually explode.

I'm all for attending social events and being with people that I adore, but I also enjoy a dose of quiet time every once in a while. Sometimes, I need time to recollect my thoughts and recharge my batteries before jumping into the social cycle. Now, if I spend too much time in isolation, I get restless and feel the need to socialize. If I'm out for a considerably long while, then I'll want to go back home. I get cabin fever one minute and get a case of homesickness the next.

I have a strong tendency to lose my train of thought, wander throughout my own little world, and totally forget my surroundings. I space out while trying to regain my metal energy and don't consider what's going on around me until someone's snapping their fingers in front of my face and dragging me back into really.

While I've made this seem to be a struggle, I'm grateful for the way I was made. I can see both sides of the spectrum, and I have the ability to empathize with so many different people. Though it's tough sometimes, I'm okay with being smack-dab in the middle and seeing the best of both worlds. Be proud of who you are whether you're a full-time introvert, extrovert, or a bit of both!

Lacey Franklin