Some days, introverts have such a bad rep. We live in a society that places those who go out a bunch and talk with anyone into the spotlight. Usually, extroverts are seen as the “norm.” They are what we should aspire to be like—outgoing, talkative or bubbly. While these are great traits to have, there are many other things that can define people. Besides, being talkative all the time is completely unrealistic. Think about it. How annoying would it be if everyone was constantly talking? Nothing would ever get done!
I’m sure all of my fellow introverts out there have all heard the same few phrases from well-meaning people: “You just need to come out of your shell." “Why are you so quiet?;” “Just talk, it’s easy;” “Man, when I first met you I thought you were so reserved, but you’re actually kinda cool.” Heck yeah, I’m cool! Just because you don’t immediately know everything about me, doesn’t mean I’m some boring stick in the mud, and when does being reserved mean you aren’t cool? I’m sure I am not the only one who is sick of hearing these things being said to them. Is it such a bad thing to be quiet or to need to have some time by myself? The correct answer is no. I am happy with who I am and who I am is an introvert.
Being an introvert does not mean I am antisocial. Wait. Let me repeat that: "Being an introvert does not mean I am antisocial." I love talking with people and listening to them, just usually more one-on-one! Just because I prefer to talk and go out with my smaller group of friends, over random people in class or in public, doesn’t mean I’m antisocial or that I need to be more social. In fact, I consider myself a social person. I love hanging out with my friends and meeting new people. I just don't want to do that every day, and that's OK. The main difference between an introvert and an extrovert is just how we recharge. Extroverts usually need to go out with friends and talk with people in order to get energized. For me, and other introverts, we need to have some time by ourselves to recharge. If I don’t take the time to do this, I get tired really easily, and I don’t have the energy to do anything. So, for me, spending a weekend night alone watching Netflix or reading a book isn’t antisocial, it’s necessary. This is why it frustrates me so much when people treat being an introvert as something that should be changed or as something inferior to being an extrovert.
No one wants everyone to be the same, and no one is the same. It’s the beauty of the universe. We all have different interests and different things that drive us. The segregation between introverts, extroverts, and the people in between needs to chill. If you’re an extrovert, good for you! Go out and have fun; do what makes you happy. But if you’re more introverted friend says they want to just stay in tonight, respect that. They just need some time to themselves in order to recharge. If you’re an introvert, good for you! When you need to recharge, take that time for yourself. You won’t be considered less of a person just because you don’t go out every night or aren’t into partying. But if you’re extroverted friend wants you to go out and you’re feeling it, go out! No matter how you recharge or what you like to do for fun, do what makes you happy. Don’t try and waste time pretending you’re someone you’re not. Life is short, and it goes by super fast, so find friends that love and respect you for who you are and kick ass as the amazing introvert and/or extrovert person that you are in whatever you want to do.
