In today’s society, it is commonly accepted and pretty much encouraged to be an extrovert. An extrovert can loosely be defined as someone who is energixed by socialization or, in other words, a social butterfly. The direct opposite, an introvert, is someone who is drained from social interaction and finds quiet time to be a way to recharge. While people can fall anywhere between these two poles, it is normal for people to lean more towards one than the other. As a recently discovered mega-introvert, I’ve found that adjusting into the extroverted norms our society has adopted is not as easy as it seems. Simply put, we place a huge importance on being outgoing and extremely over-social, and anyone who shies away from this is seen as a “anti-social” or a “hermit.” In a world that can't seem to stop talking, I've put together a survival guide for those of us who are more inclined to stay away from others and be quiet.
1. Assess and identify yourself.
First, are you more introverted or extroverted? (Look up characteristics of these two if you need help figuring it out.) Are there certain times where you feel more like one than the other? Once you give yourself a rough spot on the spectrum, understand what that entails. If you’re introverted like me, give yourself way more time to be by yourself and relax in a quiet environment, especially after extreme social situations
2. Understand what an extrovert is.
Extroverts are just like us! The only difference is that socializing actually recharges them, so this is how they gain their energy. Don’t be upset if someone isn’t as introverted as you; everyone is different.
3. Let other people know what you’re like.
Stop being scared to say no to plans because you’d rather be alone and watch Netflix. Be straight up; most people won’t care that much, and if they do, try to explain to them how you feel. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of over acting like I’m extroverted when I’m really not.
4. Don’t avoid every social situation you’re
invited to.
Trust me, I know how easy it can seem to just skip out on every social interaction and be alone. But remember that in the end, we’re still human, and interaction and contact is important for us to exist. If you start skipping out on everything you’re invited to, you’ll begin to feel lonely.
5. Find your balance.
Find your happy place, and find what works for you. Let yourself stay in when you want to stay in, and let yourself go out when you want to go out. Be easy on yourself, and be unapologetic about who you are as a person. It may take a while, but finding your perfect balance between socializing and alone time can really pay off.
6. Don’t be fake.
Take it from me: don’t try too hard. I used to overcompensate for being an introvert, and I did everything in my power to convince the whole world I was the most extroverted girl on the planet. Consequently, I began to hate being around people and found I was extremely agitated all the time because I was never alone. Be yourself, no matter how introverted or extroverted you are.
7. Understand it’s OK to be an introvert in life.
Contrary to popular belief, it is totally OK to be introverted. Forget what society says about favoring extroverts and stay true to yourself. Whether you’re in college or out in the real world, remember that 50 percent of people you meet are just as introverted as you and they’re just pretending not to be. Understand when you have to go out of your comfort zone and when you’re allowed to be a hermit. Life is about achieving balance; never be one more than the other.
So there you have it, my guide to slowly accepting and understanding who you are as a person. Just remember to accept other people for who they are and the world will be a lot better of a place.
