Most of the time I have a hard time getting a word in with a group. I struggle to speak up and let myself be heard, so oftentimes I stay quiet and let everyone else talk around me. They may or may not acknowledge that I've been silent, and that can sometimes bother me.
Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I have nothing to say. I've learned to share my thoughts other ways - like my writing. But that doesn't mean it's still difficult to be an introvert in an extrovert-oriented world.
As a kid, I really hated sitting at those pod-style desks. Remember those? Where the teacher would force you and three other people to stare at each other for eight hours? Pure torture for an 8-yr-old introvert who had just switched schools. Even when I was this young I recognized that the world wasn't formed for me - it was made for the "loud kids" who were always talking. I grew a little older and prayed for the forced interaction to go away, but alas it did not. Instead, I got more pod-style desks and group projects in every class. This didn't even stop in college. In fact, they EXPECTED me to go out and network (basically brag about myself) with potential employers . . . for fun!! This was and still is not my idea of "fun." Give me a book instead and then we can talk about fun.
Okay, so how do we as introverts accept a world we have a difficult time living in? This is a tough question. One that I can barely answer even as a life-long introvert. The thing is there is not one overarching answer for every introvert - we each have to figure out what works best for us through trial and error (or reading someone's Odyssey article maybe).
Personally, I have to find outlets. Sometimes those outlets are people who understand. I am so blessed to have a family, friends, and boyfriend who all understand my need for quiet time and internal processing. They never (or try not to) push me to do something I don't want to do like sitting in a crowded bar or dance at a rave full of people. They all know how much I value the written word and respect me when I would rather express myself by writing instead of talking. Each supportive person is always there to listen to me. Usually, I'm the one listening, so it's nice to be heard once and a while. Having people in my corner helps so much, but I need other outlets. Writing is definitely one of those. When I've had a day where everyone around me is loud and yelling over each other, I take some time to write. It helps me process my day and get my thoughts out, even if I'm the only one who hears them. Maybe these outlets work for you, and maybe they don't. Maybe they can at least be a starting block for you.
No matter what the world may tell you, never forget that it's okay to be an introvert.
The world may be designed for extroverts, but that doesn't mean we introverts can't thrive in it! If we stick together and accept our "quirks" and tendencies, we're already on our way to success. I want everyone to like me all the time, but that's a fantasy I dream of. Not everyone will like you all the time - it's just a fact of life and reality that's difficult to face. As introverts, we know that not everyone will like us all the time (especially when we need our quiet time to ourselves). But even though the whole world won't like us 24/7, we can love ourselves. It's a daily choice to love yourself when you aren't fully accepted by the world, but I know you can do it. Know that it's okay to be an introvert (and, if you're an extrovert reading this, it's okay to be an extrovert too)! Love yourself well, and do your very best to understand people and love them for who they are.
