I’ve always felt like the black sheep of my family. Everyone else seems to have an inherent confidence. They talk and make friends with strangers, effortlessly maintain conversation at the dinner table, and flow through social gatherings with ease and delight. Not me. I've always been — and in adulthood have arrived at the conclusion that I always will be — an introvert.
I’m awkward. I’m shy. I don’t cope well in large groups. Matilda has been my hero since age six.
For years, I tried to change my intrinsic personality trait. I had no doubt that being outgoing would make life easier. There have been times when I’ve been dubbed pretentious because I’d rather be reading a book than going to a party. There’ve been times people thought I was angry because I didn’t make small talk at a meal. And yet, the simple truth is that I’m just .... quiet.
Introverts can easily get bad reputations, but more often than not, their silence isn’t a choice. It’s just what comes naturally to them— not unlike the uncle who simply cannot master the concept of an “inside voice.” And that's nothing to be ashamed of. So to all my fellow Matildas, here are some things only we introverts can really understand.
YOU'RE NOT SECRETLY JUDGING EVERYONE
But MAKING FRIENDS IS NO EASY FEAT
So You Read to fill the gaps
After all, THERE'S NOTHING you find MORE SOOTHING THAN LISTENING TO SILENCE
No, NOTHING IS INHERENTLY WRONG WITH YOU
And BEING QUIET DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY
Though you have a lot of interesting opinions, you don't feel the need to proclaim them constantly.
Still, YOU'VE PROBABLY BEEN CALLED 'STUCK UP' FAR MORE TIMES THAN YOU CAN COUNT
Which is why parties can be daunting
BUT NOT BECAUSE YOU RESENT ALL EXTROVERTS
Though let's face it, humans can be horrible.
still, BULLIES HAVE PROBABLY TARGETED YOU
But you know that BEING OBSERVANT CAN BE DEEPLY BENEFICIAL
and YOU'RE PROBABLY QUITE HUMBLE, if you do say so yourself
Who doesn't love hobbits?
No, you don't have a superiority complex
BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY A REALLY GOOD THINKER
who knows that SOMETIMES, LISTENING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TALKING
and that AWKWARD SILENCE ISN'T THE ONLY TYPE OF SILENCE.
MAYBE YOU'D SPEAK MORE IF YOU COULD. BUT YOU CAN'T. SO YOU DON'T.
And anyway, SHY PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES THE MOST APPROACHABLE
Though DATING CAN BE VERY, VERY DAUNTING
Just remember, you're one introverted catch.
