As humans, we not only value connections with others, but we also need them to survive. Some of us are more introverted, receiving our energy from being alone, while others thrive off of surrounding themselves with people. Working and living abroad this summer has taught me a lot of things about myself (shocker!), including where I fall on the introversion-extroversion scale.

Since I have never really been a fan of small talk, and I definitely don't have the loudest voice in a large group of people, I always considered myself an introvert. However, in social situations when I feel comfortable around the people I am with, I will not stop talking, and the idea of meeting new people excites me. So, where do I fall on this scale? I still don't have an answer, but I know for sure I don't always enjoy being alone as much as the typical introvert would.

A couple of weeks ago, I found out I would be off from work for an entire week. Initially, I was elated. No work for a week meant I could sleep in and go to the beach every day.

A few days into my week off were relaxing. I slept in almost every day and did some necessary apartment cleaning. Having this alone time was nice, but too much of it quickly became draining.

I avoided doing things in public alone because I don't typically enjoy doing things alone. I take the bus to work every day alone, and I grocery shop alone, but I don't usually go on excursions without someone else by my side.

On one of my days off, I decided to go shopping and to the beach by myself. As I walked around the mall, I enjoyed shopping without a time constraint and without having to wait for anyone else. But I still wished for a shopping buddy, and as I sat on the beach alone, I couldn't help but wish that I was there with others.

So if all this time I have been calling myself an introvert, why do I prefer nights out overnights in, and why do I always prefer to do things with others?

It's because life isn't that black and white. From that week off, I learned that I don't fall on either side of the spectrum but somewhere in the middle. I'm happiest when I am around others who I get along with, not when I'm by myself. Other days I do crave my alone time, and when I spend a lot of time socializing with new people, I need that time to recharge.

So if you call yourself an introvert or if you stand by the fact that you are an extrovert, consider this: maybe you're neither. Maybe you're both. Maybe it isn't so black and white. Maybe you don't truly know yourself yet because you are growing each and every day.