During most of my childhood, I was very shy. As mentioned in
Quiet, my mother often apologized for
my short responses, if any were given. In high school, I was, for the most
part, introverted. I did enjoy the occasional outing, but I mostly loved to be
alone in my room with a game or book. It was not until college that I started
to “come out of my shell,” something that took a great amount of unnecessary
effort. I did not like the introvert inside of me, something that I had not yet
put a label on. I saw everyone around me excited about events that were
happening that seemed to be too draining for me and I did not want to be the
hermit. When able, meaning that I can, without social pressure, indulge in my
introversion, I do. It is not exactly that I do not enjoy being around people,
because I genuinely do; it is exhausting. I would rather spend time with a
single person in an intimate quarters. There is something very real about that,
and it gives me energy. I am convinced that I am an introvert who has adapted
an extroverted lifestyle because of social influences. Would this make me an ambivert?
I think this makes learning substantially conflicting. The two situations in
which I learn best are when I am alone and when I have materials be to hands
on. Does this mean I am wasting my time in courses that post all of their content
online? I would say there are still benefits to lectures of such to me, such as
the ability to freely ask questions if needed. I might be an introvert, or
maybe an ambivert, but I may have pretended so well that I even lost myself.
I like that you took the time to look back at who you were and who you have become. Being shy sounds like it has its challenges, but I feel as you took the time to overcome those challenges. Even though you mom had to apologize sometimes for your short responses, she wouldn’t have you any other way. Do you think you could have been shy, because that’s maybe how your family is? My family is very open with everyone, which is not always a positive thing, but that’s how I am. It was also good seeing how you learn, because everyone learns different. It’s nice seeing someone work with their strengths, but better when you see them work with their weakness, which I feel you have done.
ReplyDeleteI am introverted and shy by nature. I also always thought of it as something that I had to overcome. I thought that I needed to be more outgoing and extroverted. I was always trying to “come out of my shell.” My mother always told me that my sensitive, quiet personality was a gift and that I had great strength. I didn’t believe it. I think that I kind of lost myself, too, trying to be something I am not. Quiet made me think a lot about this. Maybe it is more important to be true to ourselves than to be like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading your blog post, I could not help but comment here and say how much I enjoyed reading it. I too, can somewhat relate to what you were saying in the fact that we both are introverts but are almost forced to leave our comfort zones because of social influences. For instance, I do not know why courses here at Mansfield try to make us become extroverts by participating in class and group projects and if you do not participate you get penalized. I feel as though they should not try and force students to do things there do not feel comfortable doing.
ReplyDeleteI can relate! Being social is totally exhausting! Some days I just want to lounge in my pajamas and read a good book; just me, my self, and I! I am a public relations major so I don't get much 'me time' anymore. Back 'in the day', I was a complete introvert. I stayed in my shell 99% of the time, I knew it was safe in there. Once I found that I had a voice, people have been trying to shut me up for years now! Some days I do miss the quiet, the solitude and peace within myself. Overall, I can relate to your experience and agree that being social is one of the most exhausting things I've ever done!
ReplyDelete