The world is full of people, seven billion to be precise. One-half to one-third of those people are introverts, meaning that they are more reserved and prefer to keep themselves. In our society, introverts are treated as antisocial people who don't want to be around others. That needs to change.

What is an introvert? What about an extrovert? Introversion and extroversion are two different types of personalities, first brought up by psychologist Carl Young. Where an extroverted person prefers large social gatherings and is charismatic and boisterous, the introverted person prefers one on one conversation with others, and would rather keep to themselves in large social gatherings. Contrary to popular belief, introversion is not shyness, it is how you handle social stimulation. Extroverts thrive on social stimulation and cannot get enough of it, but introverts are less stimulated by social interaction. Introverts prefer more quiet or peaceful situations and tend to be taciturn when in large groups of people.

Statistically, no person is strictly an introvert or extrovert, we all fall along different parts of the spectrum at different times in our lives.

There are also people who fall smack dab in the middle of the spectrum, these people are called ambiverts and they display the characteristics of both introverts and extroverts.

In the late 1700’s and the 1800’s, America was a "Culture of Character", which meant that people were fond of each other because of their character qualities they possessed, not because of the things they said. Self-help books were written about how to have excellent character and why one should focus on their character to be happier and have a better life. The late 1800’s and early 1900’s however, drove America to become a more personality based society. Thinking that they now had to prove themselves to everyone, the average American felt the need to be loud, flamboyant and charismatic in order to be well liked. Now, one was judged on their charisma and looks rather than the character qualities they truly possessed. As Americans began accepting those with more glamorous personalities as the correct way to behave, introverts became more and more obsolete. Their quiet and calm ways became viewed as anti-social, and more outgoing individuals were liked a lot more. Introverts became invisible.

Nowadays, schools are designed to fit the social needs of extroverted children. The great power of introverts is again overlooked. Desks are put into pods of groups of seven or eight children. Encouraging students to work together in groups of eight, the majority of teachers have said that the preferred student is an extrovert.

How are introverts supposed to succeed when society, and even their teachers, do not deem them good enough? Children are expected to automatically fall into groups and work as committees on lessons and projects. Children who choose to work alone on school projects are seen as problems, outliers, and antisocial individuals. Our teachers must learn to discern between a problem child, and an introverted child, who does not wish to cause trouble.

Personally, I feel more like an introvert, rather than an extrovert. I've noticed that my peers are often times are critical of those who are introverts. If you'd rather stay at home on a Saturday night, instead of go to a bonfire, you're quickly labeled as antisocial. If you choose to study alone by yourself with your headphones on, you’re antisocial, you’re rude. If you’d rather read a book then go out with friends you’re weird, and, again, labeled as antisocial.

It's not right, and it's not fair. We need to teach this society that being introverted is okay. I've been called antisocial before because of reasons like these. All throughout high school, I felt invisible, just like a lot of introverted people have. But throughout my junior and senior year, I learned that I was nothing but invisible and that still stands.

I learned that being introverted isn't being antisocial. You shouldn’t be given labels because of your personality, especially one that has so much negative context to it.

In January of my sophomore year, I was at a point in my life where I was feeling the most invisible. But while watching the Grammy’s that January, I heard the following song by Hunter Hayes. It’s called Invisible. Nearly every single lyric from the song touched my heart and made me realize that what made me different was okay, that it wasn’t something I needed to change, that I was not invisible, but the following part stuck out to me the most.

"These labels that they give you, are just because they don't understand. If you look past this moment, you'll see you have a friend waving a flag for who you are and all that you're going to do. So here's to you, and here's to anyone who's ever felt invisible."

Introverts, we aren't invisible. We just keep our creativity to ourselves, and when we unleash it, it's a beautiful sight. Some of the greatest most brilliant minds in the world were and are introverts, proving that if we're given the right environment to work in, we can thrive. So don't be afraid to be yourself, don't be afraid to work alone in the corner of the room because your ideas are just as important as the person who is shouting theirs aloud. Most of all, don't be afraid to share your ideas, your gifts with the world because you just might take everyone by surprise.

We are not antisocial, or outliers. But most importantly, we are not invisible and the power we have within us is greater than any label or stereotype that anyone can throw our way.