The Honest Truth About Being an Introvert

An introvert makes honest, personal confessions.

That feeling when you get home after you have socialized for a whole day. When you can finally take off those jeans and wear those comfy sweats again. That feeling when you wipe off all the makeup that had to sit on your face for 10 hours, and you see that your natural face appears 10 years younger than your current age — again.

Ah, that feeling.

What’s it like being an introvert? Here’s the honest truth.

Confessions of an Introvert

Socializing is draining. It sucks the hell out of my energy, seriously.

One of my biggest obstacles in life is still times when I have to meet new people, like when I get a new job or when I get invited to birthday parties where I only know the birthday girl/boy. Okay, I get it, I need to work with these people so I need to “talk” to them, but SUP with all that small talk you are spilling on me?

Small talk is a great tool to break the ice when meeting new people, but once you get over that, just stop (small) talking. Please?

Don’t get me wrong, I love to talk. Once I get in sync with the right kind of people, I won’t ever shut up. For introverts like me, it’s about genuine interaction and the ability to really listen to each other.

When I appear shy, in reality, I’m just really bored and don’t have the energy to pretend I enjoy the company I am in at the moment. In fact, these days, I enjoy my own company a lot more than when I’m accompanied by the average human. Of course, dogs always gain my full sincere attention, no question about that!

That goes along with all my close friends and family, but other than that, that’s it. You might think I’m arrogant for not wanting to waste my time developing another meaningless relationship, but my time has become my precious gift. I’m no longer spilling it around or giving it away to random people.

Sorry, not sorry.

Some people just get more energized when they surround themselves with people, but for me, it’s the opposite. I NEED my alone time to recharge and reflect on my own thoughts. It’s essential, like when extroverts NEED to do something with people during the weekend. Just a different angle, no need to look weird at me when I say that I prefer to stay in on a Friday night than hang out at a club.

As someone who doesn’t have a loud voice and is an introvert, it’s hard sometimes. Especially at work. I always think twice before I state ideas because I don’t want to spill any empty words. But the only thing they see is nothing, because of the fact that nothing comes out my mouth.

According to them, I’ve always been too passive, while they need me to take initiative. I observe carefully first before I take action, but the only thing they see is the action that may or may not have been proceeding smoothly.

All complaints aside, it’s known that society favors the characteristics of an extrovert. Don’t get me wrong, we need those kinds of characteristics in all sorts of roles. But let’s not forget that most introverts are often the ones who create and do a lot of work behind the scenes.

I don’t think of it as a disadvantage to be an introvert. In fact, I’m glad to be one because I don’t need to only rely on external circumstances to be able to entertain myself. I used to do that a lot — but I would end up drained and exhausted by the end of the day, not knowing what the cause was. Surrounded by toxic so-called “friends” where everyone just wants to hear themselves talk is a big part of it, I now know.

Extroverts, don’t pity us introverts for how we are. Don’t ask us why we are SO quiet in a room full of people we don’t know. Honestly, it’s kinda rude.

And certainly don’t ask why we’re not having fun when we’re not out at the bar or club on a Saturday night. I am having fun, but maybe not the kind of fun you are used to.

A version of this post was originally published on my blog, Rambles by Kim. Follow me on Facebook here.

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