Life as an Introvert

I am currently sitting on the third floor of the library for my gruesome four hour break between classes and I am doing what I love to do most, people watch. It's interesting to me to watch how different people interact with each other. It actually got me thinking about how I, myself, interact with people. I know most of you have heard of the term introverts and extroverts. We use them quite often to explain our personalities to other people and to better understand ourselves. I am most definitely an introvert, no doubt about it. Its quite annoying how introverted I am at times but, here's life, in the simplest of forms, of an introvert.

I would explain an introvert as someone who is a bit shy. They prefer the company of themselves or a small group of friends rather than a large group settings. Large group settings can actually be a bit overwhelming for introverts. They focus inward, on their own thoughts unlike extroverts who focus outward into the world.

For me this is pretty simple. I don't enjoy being in large group settings and actually I am the person at the party who doesn't talk to anyone if they don't first talk to me. There's way too much going on at parties for me. If its not a family event, I have a really hard time going to social gatherings, I tuck myself away in a corner hoping to be unnoticed because I despise small talk and questions. I prefer the silence. I prefer being curled up in a good book on the couch rather than out and about. I don't think that binge watching or relaxing is unproductive. For me, it's essential for my mental health. I don't answer my phone but I will most certainly text you back. I communicate better in writing (hence, the blog) I am shy. It's my fourth week of school and I don't think I have talked to a single person, not even once. For some of you that might be shocking and seriously terrible, but it's no big deal for me. I am completely content on my own with my headphones in. However, this can also be really frustrating for me.

I have a difficult time making new friends because I don't put myself out there and talk to anyone! I have a really hard time talking to strangers or people I don't know. It might take a lot of self talk to ask someone for a pencil if I need one. I would rather spend the entire class without a pencil than ask for one. I don't know if this is simply social anxiety or my introverted personality but nonetheless, its quite annoying and sometimes aggravating. My boyfriend, Zachary, is very much an extrovert. It's funny actually. Whenever we go somewhere, he always runs into someone he knows and has no problem talking to them and quickly catching up. This is the complete opposite of myself. Sometimes if I am out and about and I spot someone I know, I will avoid them. I will walk around the entire store just so I don't run into them. (Don't take this personally! It's me, not you. Blame it on my introversion) I just don't like the idea of conversing with someone sometimes and I think thats perfectly okay. Zachary is slowly but surely breaking me out of my shell. I've made plenty of new friends and have gone out a lot more since we have gotten together. I'm sure I will be a tad more extroverted soon enough but for now, I am okay with my quiet world.

I tend to cling to my very small, tight circle of friends and it takes awhile for me to open up. Once I do open up, you would have a hard time believing I was ever shy. When I feel comfortable around you, I am completely different. I'll tell you whats on my mind and what I think of the world. If I don't know you, however, it's unlikely that I'll do any talking. I think my close friends might actually describe me as bubbly, happy, positive, etc.

Be nice to your fellow introverts. Never force them to go out to a social gathering because it can be quite uncomfortable for them and maybe even over stimulating. If they feel like going, they will. If they don't feel like hanging out, be understanding. Sometimes it can take a lot of energy for introverts to be social. I know for me, I feel exhausted after coming home from hanging out with friends or what have you. I tend to go into isolation for a few days after hanging out with someone. Again, don't take this personal it's just how I am. This is just a quick, insiders view on what it's like to be an introvert in a world where its almost necessary to be an extrovert.

-Taylere Louise