I had an issue with whispering when I was in elementary and middle school. I honestly could not manage to talk in a quiet tone, and often it lead to teachers telling my parents I "talk too much" or "distract other students during class." While I never actually distracted anyone, it appeared I was, even though I would only be asking to borrow a pencil in a much too loud voice. Now, I would say that my ability to talk quietly has definitely improved since those dreaded days of puberty and serious self-confidence issues. As I got older, my friends started to throw around these words that I had never heard before, and I had no idea what they meant; those words were introvert and extrovert.

Back then, I associated myself with the extrovert group because I talked loud and others told me I was very extroverted, but I soon realized that I really didn't possess the qualities of a true extrovert. I did not enjoy large groups of people, crowds made me uncomfortable at times, and I discovered that I valued my alone time more than other people did. I was nice and talked to everyone I met, so it made sense why I clumped myself into that category of people.

When I made the discovery that I truly was an introvert, I began to view and present myself differently. I no longer needed to prove I was an extrovert by talking nonstop and loudly, I learned to stop caring what others thought about me, and I found solitude in self-reflection inside my head and in private. I also began to think more before I spoke, which then made me feel more confident every time I opened my mouth in a social or group setting. Being an extrovert is the norm in American society. Once I started to embrace my newly found introvert title, I felt more comfortable in my own skin. There are times when I feel like an outsider living in an excessively loud and fast-paced world, but then I remember that there is nothing wrong with preferring a slower and quieter lifestyle. I still meet people who think I am an extrovert because I am pretty outgoing, but when you truly get to know me, you realize you are special if you get to spend time with me, because I'd much rather be alone.