Recently it seems like calling yourself an introvert is the latest fad; after all, who doesn't love the cool image of the quiet loner? Who doesn't want to be thought of as collected and independent? But, in the rush to garner as many social browny points as possible, people seem to be forgetting what it actually means to be an introvert: someone who simply enjoys being alone more than they enjoy being with company.

Being an introvert doesn't suddenly make you a deep, intellectual juggernaut. It just means you'd rather read books than read people. And while there's nothing wrong with that, treating the title of "introvert" as a social commodity has some nasty consequences: thinking of and treating extroverts like brainless party animals.

It's no secret to anyone who has ever spoken to me (or even just read one of my articles) that I'm very socially inclined- the perfect afternoon for me is just hanging out with a group of friends and driving around to see what the world has to offer that day. It's also no secret that I suffer from an incurable case of not being able to shut the f*ck up. So you see, I'm probably the textbook definition of an extrovert.

I'd rather go out to a hookah lounge with my friends than stay in and watch documentaries, I'd rather be dancing in a sweaty frat basement than be in any sort of library, and I'd rather take a day trip than take a nap. And while there's nothing wrong with preferring a library over a frat house, it's beginning to seem that more and more people view extroverts negatively.

Now, don't get me wrong: this isn't me trying to say that everyone who identifies as an introvert looks down on extroverts. It's just me wondering when, exactly, being an extrovert was something to be shamed over. It's getting increasingly often for people to scoff whenever I've described myself as social or expressed my love of social events. "Well I prefer to stay in and watch Netflix," they say in a condescending tone and with a roll of their eyes. And it's like, ok, random girl from my literature class, that's great for you.

At the end of the day, we're all just people trying to enjoy what little free time we have, and it's beautiful that there are so many different kinds of passions and past-times out there that let us do just that. But, it's also important to respect and to understand the different ways people choose to spend their time. If you like to read, read. If you like to party, party. The world needs introverts and extroverts alike.