Growing up I was always the friend planning sleepovers each weekend, I was the loud one of the group and I had no problem stepping up as the leader in any situation. Even personality tests, such as Myers-Briggs, would tell me I was this type of person. I maximized on this outgoing identity throughout high school. I was an extrovert.

I am now nearing the end of my first year of college and I no longer identify myself as an extrovert. The change in me was not dramatic, radical or life altering. It happened rather naturally and it only occurred to me rather recently that I would now identify myself as an introvert.

Introverts enjoy close friends while extroverts befriend everyone. Introverts listen while extroverts engage. Introverts find their energy from within, while extroverts find their energy in activity. Introverts internalize thoughts while extroverts verbalize thoughts. While I still identify with some extrovert traits, I know I am a converted introvert.

I do not like small talk.

I am not trying to be rude but spare me the details about the weather, how well your classes are going, or that you did not sleep well last night. Instead, tell me about your favorite thing to do on a beautiful day like this, or how inspired you are by your professor, or the trouble you are having with your roommate or family. I will wholeheartedly listen to every word you say.

I am reserved in conversation.

I will play out a conversation in my head before saying anything -- and sometimes I might choose to say nothing at all, or I might think of what I really wanted to say hours later. This isn’t me being shy, I rather brainstorm internally than verbally. I want to say what I really mean.

I need time to myself.

I absolutely love hanging out with my friends and having a good time. I would even say I am a people-person and love conversation; just do not expect me to be surrounded by people 24/7. My time alone actually energizes me to be with people. We can go out, I will even plan the night, but at the end of the day I want to go home and relax by myself.

I get taken away by my ideas.

I love reflecting on my days, my life, and everything around me. I get lost in old pictures and sometimes forget that is no longer reality or I dream about the future longing for new memories. I may even get so caught up in my head, I forget to live in the now.

I love the person I am and who I am becoming. I will always be in love with the world and the people around me but becoming an introvert definitely gives me a new outlook on life. I was happy growing up as the outgoing extrovert and I am happy to be an introvert as a young adult.