Introverts

(This post is inspired by and takes information from Quiet, so your best bet is to grab a copy yourself. But read on nonetheless)

I am an introvert.

I’m also a bookworm. Yet although not every single thing written in Quiet applies to me, I've never seen a book that focuses on and speaks for introverts so well.

First, let me state the obvious: introverts are appallingly underrepresented. We make up third to a half of the world. Sadly, society looks down on introverts as if there’s something wrong with us and endlessly coaches us into extroverts. We’ve seen uncountable books that teach us to be more sociable, friends telling us to “go out more,” and teachers telling us to speak up. And don’t you ever dare telling an interviewer you are an introvert, because he/she will show you the door.

Introverts are often bullied. We are stepped on by the louder and the more aggressive because we are nice and quiet. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to a friend who was annoyed but didn’t speak up. I’d exclaim: “How did you not even say anything?” then immediately realized I would have done the exact same thing.

However, introversion is an in-born trait, just like your sexual orientation. You can’t “cure” introverts, like you can’t “cure” gays. Most of us learn to “fake” extroversion to a certain extent; but deep inside, we are still introverts. Small talks tires us out; we need time away from crowds to recharge.

We are not less worthy; we are different. We observe the world more closely and notice details extroverts often bypass. We take more calculated decision as opposed to the hotheaded extrovert who acts upon his first impulse (and thus more likely to screw up). We are less likely to cheat and break laws. We sympathize. We find thinking deep stimulating and get lost in our own intellectual universe. We are writers, artists, and inventors. We are part of the world that also contains Bill Gates, Thomas Edison, J.K. Rowling, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks. We are the ones who shape the world, despite the world constantly trying to shape us into talking-screaming machines.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you and me for being introverts. Sadly, society won’t stop stunting us any time soon. I find way to cultivate my own personality to thrive in this pro-extrovert world. I go out once in a while to fill my “quota” of social activities. I learn to be more assertive and confident when delivering my ideas. But I also strive a compromise: after some time of socializing, I curled up in my bed reading. Much-needed solitude enriches my soul so I can write, like I’m doing today, after getting lost in the noisy world. Alone time spent thinking like this makes me happy.

We can find a happy balance with ourselves. Make compromises, and follow your own instinct: don’t let the loud mouths of extroverts make you feel less worthy than you are. Remember that we are special. We change the world.