Having a loud and outgoing personality is both a blessing and a curse. I always used to swear that I was an extrovert — someone who is energized by being around people. I used to believe that I thrived in environments where I was constantly surrounded by people and in constant conversation. Since getting burnt out on life last year, I have realized that I am not an extrovert. I am an outgoing introvert. By my definition, someone who likes to be social finds joy in friendships and being around people but needs time on a daily basis to be by themselves or their best friend. Realizing this about myself has freed me from the burden of a lot of anxiety, but it has also revealed struggles that only other outgoing introverts will understand.

You enjoy being the center of attention, but only during selected situations.

I love when I command the attention of a room, when all eyes are on me when I am in my element of speaking or presenting. But it takes me time to warm up to the idea. I jump at the chance to be in a leadership position but often struggle with realizing that means I will always be in the center of things.

People always expect you to be talkative and excited.

Nothing is more annoying than when you just don't feel like talking and people ask you, “Are you okay? Are you mad at me? What's wrong?" While I genuinely appreciate people asking about my well-being and have things wrong that I need to talk about, sometimes I just don't have anything relevant or important to say to further a conversation. I used to get pulled aside by friends or teachers to have a serious talk when I was quiet on days and I wanted to just scream, “nothing is wrong I just want to save my oxygen for I don't know, breathing?"

Your best friend(s) is/are your life.

While I have a large group of friends, I find a real comfort in spending all my time with the same three people. This isn't because I don't like the other people equally as those three people; I just put a lot of value into them. I appreciate the sincerity of deep connections and talks that make you thankful for coffee at four in the morning. This is true in romantic relationships too — which more times than not, causes problems.

You get energy by spending time alone.

I have the greatest friends and family, but when I am exhausted or tired I really just need to be alone or with one person. I feel easily annoyed by the presence of people and try hard to not explode on people. The struggle of this is — the switch from wanting to be social to needing to be alone is quick and normally unexpected. I find it hard to rationalize why their chewing of gum has now started to annoy me 45 minutes into hanging out, but that's normally when I fake a cramp and peace out.

You are the life of the party.

Going along with the other comments, you are either all the way in or completely lost in a Netflix series. There is no in between. You either spend all weekend out hitting the parties or secluded into a dark room where you enjoy candles and friends for a solid 72 hours.

You always get volunteered to be the presenter.

Whether you have to give the presentation or start the conversation with a boy, the thought it actually nauseating. You always end up doing it though because in your friends' minds you are the outgoing talkative one.

You thrive in libraries and quiet places — but can't stay for too long.

There is no place I would rather explore than a run down coffee shop or thrift store by myself on a weekend. The idea of being near people but not having to make small talk — or talk at all — truly excites me. I can retreat into a world of my own thoughts and not have to worry about the interruption of a friendly hello. This serenity, though, never can last too long because once you begin to hear the conversations of the other people you long to chat with your best friend.

Not being a by-the-book introvert or extrovert can cause you a lot of anxiety and stress. But coming to terms with knowing what you need out of friendships and yourself can be a liberating and freeing experience. To all the other outgoing introverts out there, keep on keeping on.