Were You a Shy Kid? You’ll Relate to These 22 Tweets

Introversion and shyness are not the same thing. According to Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, introversion is a preference for quiet, minimally stimulating environments, while shyness is the fear of negative judgment. However, many introverts experience painful shyness at some point in their lives.

#GrowingUpShy is a hashtag on Twitter that’s getting a lot of attention right now. Here are 22 of our favorite tweets. Can you relate?

1. When you want to say something in class but you’re nervous about raising your hand.

class

 

2. When you can’t stop thinking about something awkward you did.

comfort zone

 

3. When you’re so quiet you become practically invisible.

friends forget

4. Because talking to strangers made you nervous.

 

doctor's office

 

5. This.

roll call

6. When you’re trying not to draw more attention to yourself.

cough

 

7. Because working alone was easier than suffering through conversation with your partner.

group projects
8. When you have to introduce yourself on the first day of class.
introduce

9. Because you don’t need all that attention.

glory

10. Can you disappear now?

random

 

11. Because you’re completely capable of reading, but when you read in front of other people, you’re 100x more likely to make an awkward mistake.
reading

12. And then this happens.

can't hear her

 

13. Because you don’t want everyone to notice that you finished first.

finishes test

 

14. You’re supposed to talk now?

teacher lets class talk

 

15. Conversation? No thanks.

phone

 

16. Because you don’t want everyone to look at just you.

food

 

17. Speaking to a stranger and not knowing what to say? Horrifying.

translate English

 

18. When you don’t want anyone to go out of their way for you.
water

 

19. When everyone knows how shy you are.

relatives

 

20. When you feel like your shyness has made you miss out.

regretting
21. When people think that pointing out your shyness will somehow make you come out of your shell.

ask
22. That amazing moment when you realize you’re not the only person who felt that way.

only one

Introverts, can you relate? What was it like for you growing up?  retina_favicon1

Read this: It’s Not Just You: 29 Very Real Introvert Problems, According to Twitter