I am an introvert. My closest friends know that this is one of my biggest rants: I constantly complain about labeling people introverted or extroverted. It really bugs me! I do not want people to feel pushed down or less than others because on a Meyers-Briggs test they fall into the “I" or "E” category.
Don't get me wrong, I like being an introvert; that is my personality, and it is the way God made me. I enjoy spending time alone, but I am not defined by my love of watching Netflix or reading a book for a couple hours. I am not defined by the way that I regain energy or the fact that big crowds overwhelm me sometimes. I can skip my recharge time and be OK. I can deal with big crowds without falling apart. I am not solely defined by being an introvert.
My fear is that labeling me as an introvert limits my human experience. It limits what I am able to do and what I am expected to do. I have had so many friends tell me they do not expect me to do something because of my introverted tendencies.
I am just as capable of all the same things extroverted people can do. I should not be held to different standards just because I enjoy lying in my bed and reading Buzzfeed for 30 minutes before going to class or a meeting.
The human experience is a beautiful thing, and I do not want to miss out on any part of life because someone thought I wouldn’t like the event because there were too many people. I am so much more than an introverted girl.
My plea is that you stop using the word introvert like it is a bad thing because, in reality, it is a great thing! Dr. Suess, J.K. Rowling, Abe Lincoln and Albert Einstein were all introverts, but we do not look down on some of the greatest names in history for their personality type! So, why do we tell young adults they need to change for society?
They can be as successful as all those names above because being an introverted person does not make it any harder to achieve your dreams.
I promise, I have done research on this topic because I am passionate about it. I am passionate because people have told me “no” or taken participation points off because I am a little quieter than the rest of the class.
I should not be pushed down because I am the person God made me be. I am so much more than an introverted 20-something. I am passionate, caring, thoughtful and honest. Sure, I have some bad qualities, too, but being an introvert is not one of them.
I am proud to be an introvert, but being an introvert is not the only thing I am.
