I grew up as a shy, quiet little girl. The only way I remember being described was sweet and silent – and this was true, but only to an extent. When I was younger, I struggled in social settings so it was easier for me to listen rather than engage in conversation. I may have been more quiet than most kids, but I’ve always had a voice. I’ve always had an equal amount of power that extroverts possess, I just chose to use it in a different way. Here are five things I’ve learned from growing up as an introvert:

1. Just because we’re “quiet” doesn’t mean we can’t hear you.

The lovely thing about being an introvert is that we make great listeners. In fact, we prefer to listen rather than talk, which is why we seem so quiet to you. We don’t like speaking up in class, offering our opinion makes us uncomfortable, and being judged for the volume or frequency of our voice isn’t a notion we appreciate. We are here to support you and provide our knowledge or advice when the timing is appropriate and comfortable for us to do so. Labeling us as quiet doesn’t make us any louder.

2. We’re not party people.

Sure, we like our fair share of social gatherings, but typically in a relaxed setting. Movie nights or one-on-one time with friends are our go-to Friday nights. Showing up at a random house full of drunken, obnoxious strangers isn’t our scene. We don’t like putting ourselves in uncomfortable situations, so don’t be offended if we decline your invite.

3. Ice-breakers are our enemies.

There’s nothing worse than being forced to “tell the class a little bit about yourself.” Our personal information is ours, so naturally we aren’t inclined to share it with others – especially at the expense of being judged or criticized. Being put on the spot has a different effect on everyone, but for introverts, it commonly triggers a certain anxiety that we could undeniably do without.

4. Our thoughts force us to live in a world unlike the one we share with extroverts.

Between our inner-critic and inner-guide, we spend a lot of time deciphering the thoughts that consume our minds. Many introverts suffer from anxiety, depression, or both, which makes it difficult to exert our energy elsewhere when our mental stability seeks our attention.

5. Overthinking is one of our worst habits, by far.

Since we spend so much time in our own heads, we’re guilty of taking every situation, every word, and every feeling into heavy consideration and evaluation. In our minds, we make things more drawn-out and complicated than they actually are. This causes us to distance ourselves in our friendships and relationships to avoid any unsatisfied feelings.

Introverts are no less than extroverts – we simply lead different lives.

“A person’s a person, no matter how small.” – Dr. Suess