Don’t Hide Who You Are
Weird. Stupid. Loner.
I used to hear all these horrible things for the majority of my youth. Thinking they knew who I was when the truth was they didn’t understand. They didn’t understand that I'm an introvert and was just being myself.
They thought that because I wasn’t always out and about, dancing the night away, I wasn’t capable of having fun. As if the only thing I ever did in this world was exist. Nothing more. They didn’t realize that I too was human who have likes, dislikes, and hobbies. Partying wasn’t – and will never be – the only definition of having fun! There were other things out there that may seem boring to others, that I truly appreciated and made me genuinely happy.
I wasn’t very comfortable being part of a big crowd and because of this, people thought that I didn’t have any friends. But they were wrong. Because I had. Still have. They may be few but that was because I tend to befriend people who I knew will stay with me for a long time. I value friendship and people, never saw them as inferior to me.
When I’d rather spend time on my own, far from all the noise of the world, it wasn’t because I was anti-social. It's mostly because, it was draining being with a large group of people. The need for alone-time didn’t mean that I hated them; it was just one of the things I enjoyed. Just like some people enjoy shopping or sports! But because they didn’t get that it was a natural trait, they labeled me as a loner. Then again, there is nothing wrong with being one!
The words they called me: shy, stupid, devious, rude, arrogant, boring, and weird, didn’t let me down. It was hard but I knew that I was the only one who had the power to decide whether they make a negative effect on my life or not.
I’d like to say that it got better. That eventually I stopped hearing these awful names. That because I’m much older now, I'd be enjoying a blissfully quiet life with my remaining time. But that would’ve been a lie. But instead of worrying about them too much, I used these words as motivation to make me even stronger.
Introversion is not a disease. So if you’re an introvert, embrace it for it’s a part of who you are! You don’t need to force yourself to be someone you’re not just to make other people like you.
Your personality will find a way to show itself to the world so don’t try to hide it and be ashamed of it.
-- Dion (an elderly introvert)















