Introverts Unite

Hi. I’m Esther. And I’m a self-confessed introvert.

Like many of my fellow introverted sisters are well aware of, the life of the quieter soul definitely has its challenges. Small talk can often present itself as a colossal hurdle to climb over. I can’t count the number of times when I’ve struggled to engage in general chat with others.

After ‘Hey!’ and ‘How are you’, my brain is sent into overdrive as it fights to think of something interesting to say. Should I ask about the other person’s day? What they did at the weekend? What they’re having for dinner? If they like that new song, where they got their dress from, if they watched that programme last night, AHHH!

I normally end up just smiling whilst I wait for the other person to talk first.

To be honest, I usually prefer to do less of the talking anyway. I’m very comfortable with just listening attentively to others and on top of that, I sadly don’t have the gift of telling epic anecdotes. You know the one, where someone describes this absolutely uh-MAZING experience where they cheated death or something. My stories just don’t compare. The most thrilling thing I’ve probably done is successfully choose between two options on the menu at Harvester.

Full on socialising presents a whole different ball game. Like the majority of people, I enjoy hanging out with friends and meeting new people (sometimes). However, the amount of energy that it takes to go out and mingle is immense! Like seriously, there are times when I come home and I’m finished. My body aches, my brain is tired and all I want to do get into my comfortable bed and sit there. In silence. With no one talking. I relish the times that I get to chill with myself and recharge.

Being an introvert is often given a bad rep and I’ve wondered at times why on Earth I’m like this. However, my ever increasing maturity levels (and age…sigh) have taught me that we introverts shouldn’t feel the need to apologise for not being the life and soul of everything. There are so many brilliant perks to being an introvert:

1. People tend to enjoy watching movies with you as you’d rather just sit and watch without asking a gazillion questions.
2. You don’t need other people around you to have a good time.
3. You probably give mind-blowing advice as you take your time to really listen and think about a situation before giving a response. This makes you very wise my friend.

So for all you introverts out there. Keep on doing you because you’re awesome.

Introverts unite!