Me

Do you prefer intimate conversations over group activities?

Do you despise engaging in superficial conversations but relish discussing specific topics that hold personal significance?

Do you enjoy occasional solitude?

Are you often described as soft-spoken or someone who tends to be more reserved in conversation?

Do you typically contemplate extensively before speaking or forming opinions? If the majority of your responses were affirmative, congratulations, you identify as an introvert. And if most of your answers were negative, well...you are not an a****le. I apologize for the attempt at humor. No offense intended towards extroverts. I hold no ill will towards any of you.

Introverts are individuals who prefer solitude and are often described as shy and reserved. On the other hand, extroverts are known for being outgoing and socially confident. Have you noticed the contrasting words used to define these personality types? Shy and reserved versus outgoing and socially confident. Interestingly, it seems that these definitions were likely crafted by extroverts, as we live in a world that heavily favors extroverted traits. There is an assumption that being introverted equates to being a loser, and that success can only be achieved by being an extrovert. However, it's important to note that this belief is flawed. In fact, numerous highly successful individuals throughout history were introverts, such as Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Larry Page, JK Rowling, Steven Spielberg, and even Mahatma Gandhi. Their achievements speak for themselves.

Why do some people still believe that extroversion is a prerequisite for success? Personally, I have always identified as an introvert, even before I knew the term. Rather than engaging in outdoor activities with friends, I preferred immersing myself in books and movies. I thrived in one-on-one conversations that could last for hours, but in larger groups, I often found myself remaining silent. Whenever we had relatives over or attended family gatherings, I would retreat to a secluded place. My family, eager to label me as shy, would compare me to others, questioning why I couldn't be more outspoken or outgoing like them. These comments created a negative perception of me. Looking in the mirror, I saw a person lacking confidence and despised myself for it. Despite enjoying my solitary pursuits, I felt uneasy when alone at home, prompting me to seek the company of numerous friends, even if it left me exhausted.

During the initial 15 or 16 years of my life, I harbored a constant dissatisfaction with myself and a desire to emulate others. I often wondered why I couldn't be like them and longed to possess their qualities. Additionally, I would pass judgment on those who dined or watched movies alone, considering them peculiar. However, my perspective shifted three years ago when I found myself in the same situation. Although I genuinely enjoy watching movies with my friends, experiencing a film alone in Netflix, with an abundance of snacks and no interruptions, is truly enchanting.

Over the past few years, I have developed a fondness for spending time alone, indulging in what I like to call "Me time." Going out by myself has become a regular occurrence. I have also grown to appreciate the solitude of being at home. Whether it's reading, writing, drawing, or simply gazing out the window while contemplating ideas or stories to write, I find solace in my own company. Recently, I came across an intriguing piece of writing, possibly by Carl Jung, a renowned psychologist from the past. In 1921, he made a statement that delves deeper into the concept of introverts and extroverts, beyond the typical definitions found on Google. According to Jung, extroverts draw their energy from the external world, such as interactions with people and engaging in various activities. In contrast, introverts derive their energy from their internal world, consisting of feelings, thoughts, observations, and ideas. In essence, extroverts can be likened to solar-powered individuals, while introverts function more like batteries, gaining energy from within. Neither side is inherently right or wrong; both introverts and extroverts have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, it seems that society tends to focus more on the negative aspects of introversion.

Despite my love for activities like watching movies, reading, writing, and indulging in my own thoughts to generate creative ideas, I used to focus more on the few disadvantages I believed I had. This was mainly due to a lack of self-awareness and a desperate need for acceptance. It is natural for us all to have different identities and preferences, while also desiring acceptance from others. However, the mistake we often make is attempting to conform and behave like others in order to gain acceptance. It is crucial to realize that this approach brings no real change. Although you may experience temporary happiness from being accepted by a few people who align with that particular group, in the long run, you'll feel like you are deceiving yourself and sacrificing your own happiness and mental well-being. This eventually leads to even greater confusion than before. True change occurs when you accept a few important things: firstly, that it is impossible to please everyone in the world; secondly, that you are not alone in your feelings; and most importantly, that before seeking acceptance from others, you must first seek acceptance from the most important person in the world: yourself.