Since middle school I can remember being asked, "why are you so quiet?" Being an 11 year old girl, I just stared at them and really did not know how to respond. In elementary school I can't remember being told I was quiet or shy once. I also can't remember it ever hurting me when that question came out of someone's mouth. At first it was just one kid who would ask me that every once in a blue moon. However, it would progress to every other person it seemed who would question me about my shyness. At the start I really took this to heart and it was something that I did not like and wanted to change. People would tell me that they were once shy and that I would grow out of it.

Well I didn't. I went off to high school and still the same questions were constantly asked by my peers. "Why are you so quiet and do you know you are really shy?" It honestly got to the point where I would just respond, "yeah I am." I would get so annoyed by people harassing me about my shyness. I do not understand why they would get so stuck on it but it was a bit much if you ask me. In high school I wasn't popular at all but I certainly had a great group of friends and that's all I needed. We all got close and there was little to no drama among us. So honestly being shy got me amazing friends, so what's wrong with that?

After graduating I really was able to embrace my true personality. Yes I am quiet and yes I am shy. And by the way, I'm never changing so get over it. I like who I am. I may not be the person who initiates every conversation. I might not always give my two sense on a topic. I also slightly struggle with eye contact but that doesn't define me. Being shy and quiet does not hurt anyone. I still do everything an outgoing person does and I'm happy. I have enough friends as I need, I have a job that requires me to be social and I do just fine. I am able to have relationships and I am able to have wonderful experiences in life. I do not understand why some people get so uptight about a person when they are shy.

They think that their life is somehow less exciting because they don't talk as much as someone who is not shy. I just am glad to be away from the people who harassed me. Yes, sometimes I still get asked that question but I just smile and say, "yes I am but that's how I am." So just know if you are shy and quiet, it is not a bad thing. Some people call it a fault but it's not. It is merely a part of your wonderful personality. Embrace your shyness and go live a spectacular life.