To Be an Introvert

The myth is that introverts aren’t good at socializing.
The truth is we just don’t want to talk to you.

I’ve always been my different quirky self and never felt the need to fit in. Didn’t care about clothes, shopping, makeup, or dressing up as my friends did, wasn’t on social media in my teen years through college, and keep to myself and prefer it that way. I simply don’t like what I don’t like and could not pretend to be another person even if I tried. Some people succeed to “fit in” only to lose themselves along the way. As they age, they have to “find themselves” again… what a circular journey.

I love being alone. I feel most at peace when I’m by myself, working on my projects, deep in my thoughts about life. I have accepted myself for who I am but has the world accepted me? Our society praises those who speak up, those who raise their hands and ask questions, those who are bubbly, engaging, and sociable. Society has built an image of success around those who are extroverted. It is hard to be true to yourself when everyone else is encouraging you in the opposite direction.

The last year of reflection has not only strengthened my acceptance of myself but also emboldened me. I began to realize how awesome it was to be an introvert. Quarantine? We were born for this. While others were lamenting the loss of their social lives, we were given back time to do all that we ever dreamed of. As people who are used to living in our thoughts, I find that introverts live truest to themselves. We are constantly revisiting and revising our thoughts about the world. I’d like to believe that all introverts have high self-esteem too because we like ourselves enough to prefer being alone. It doesn’t matter to us what others are doing or thinking. Those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.