Being Introverted is Okay

There are two types of personalities that a person can relate to: introvert and extrovert. Extroverts are people that thrive off of interactions while introverts prefer minimally stimulating environments. There are some debates that being an introvert is lonely because you don’t have friends and that you can’t work in social groups. Even though this could be true, introverts have some skills that extroverts don’t have.

Differences Between Being Introverted and Extroverted

Even if an introvert has friends, they need to be alone sometimes because they get exhausted being in a group and need time for themselves. Introverts don’t like to speak in big groups and prefer to be with one person which is normal because they are nervous. Extroverts have more friends and like to be around them, but the bonds are less strong. Introverts have smaller groups of friends but they are closer. Extroverts talk more, but introverts tend to  be stronger listeners when it comes to a conservation. Introverts can grasp more information and remember things that extroverts couldn’t remember. Extroverts are okay with changes in life, but introverts don’t like change because it can mess up what they originally had planned. It’s important that Introverts go into a quiet place because they can get distracted easily and they think heavily. Introverts also tend to keep their own personal issues to themselves unless they can gain a sense a trust between his/her close friends. Introverts tend to think when they make choices to make sure they are deciding it correctly, while extroverts tend to make a decision fast without thinking. Extroverts love to get attention and it makes them feel noticed. Introverts don’t like attention and prefer to stay in the shadows. Extroverts tend to be the leaders and they speak up more often. Introverts don’t really have a say and they would want to share their ideas if given the chance to speak.

My Opinion

I believe that being introverted isn’t bad. Being an introvert myself, it can be difficult for us to socialize. We just don’t know if the person we want to socialize with will talk with us and we doubt they have common interests with us. If I was with a friend and I meet a stranger, I would be able to start a communication with them. I tend to hang out with my friends, but I realize that I tend to get really aggravated if I keep seeing the same friends all the time. I get short-tempered and want to take a break from them. It’s not like we introverts don’t like our friends, it’s just that we need time for ourselves.

I have been shy since I was small and well, it can be rough for introverts like me to try and make friends. When I came to SUNY Poly, I was afraid that I wasn’t going to be able to make friends. This college is small, but it was hard to put myself out there and not know if there would be some people that would have the same interests as me. I learned over time that I can try to make friends with people who don’t have the same interests as me and try to just listen to their conversation and add in some comments from time to time.

If you are an introvert, it’s okay. Accept who you are and try to push yourself to try to make friends. You’ll never know if they have the same interests as well.