For a lot of things, there are two types of people. There are those whose toilet paper hang over or under. Those who either absolutely love country music or who wouldn't even classify it as music in the first place but some form of torture instead. Those who eat pineapple on pizza or those who would probably rather exclusively eat insects than admit that's where pineapple belong. And there are those who are extroverts versus introverts.

These labels didn't seem to be a thing until you reach a certain age and suddenly it seems to be on every questionnaire you fill out. One seems to have a very positive connotation associated with it and the other not so much. Extroverts are the life of the party; they're outgoing, confident, and love attention at all times. Who wouldn't want to be a person like that?

Introverts, on the other hand, are often called shy or homebodies, and when they're called that, it doesn't seem to be in a good way. We're always taught to want to be big, bold, & bright individuals and that seems like a far cry from shy. So I didn't want to be an introvert.

We strive to push ourselves out of our comfort zones, no matter how terrifying it might be in the moment, but for some it can be a lot harder. Doing a bold act might also be a small act in the eyes of someone else. Speaking up in class could take more bravery for some than belting out the National Anthem in front of a whole crowd of people is for others. Being an introvert shouldn't equal not being brave.

It should solely mean being someone who prefers smaller groups and can be more reserved when in new social settings. They can't always handle lots of interaction for long periods of time; they need time alone to recharge. Their idea of a fun Friday night might be staying in over going to some huge party. Everything about that isn't something to be ashamed of though.

I learned that it's perfectly okay to not force yourself to do things you don't want to. The ultimate goal of life is to make yourself happy and if that comes from reading a good book over going out, there's nothing wrong with that. You don't have to succumb to the pressures of society.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't keep bettering yourself and doing things that make you uncomfortable. Some of life's best moments come from fully outside of the comfort zone. It just means that you might have to take smaller steps out of the comfort zone than other people, and that's understandable. We're all human beings who function in our own little ways.

Being an introvert doesn't have to be a label that stops you from doing things in life. An introvert can be loud and talkative. An introvert can be the life of the party. An introvert can be as big, bold, and bright as they want. An introvert can perform in front of a whole crowd of people. Or an introvert doesn't have to do any of those things too. It's your life, and it's okay no matter what you do.