Being an Introvert.

          People are either introverts or extroverts. Both types of personalities have some pros and cons. But it is completely unethical to say that one is negative and the other is positive. Introverts are the kind of people who are mostly shy and enjoy their own company; whereas extroverts are the kind of people who are usually bold and enjoy company of many people. Among the 16 personality types, INFJ (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judgement) is very rare, covering only 1 % of the people across the globe. I am proud to be a part of this unique club.
          I am an introvert. It simply means that I am a thinker. I am an appreciator of the many forms of art. I like to talk to only a handful amount of people rather than 'being social' with everyone. I favor in-depth discussions over topics like life, death and humanity rather than gossiping and catching up on strangers' lives. I feel more happy with a book and fictional characters rather than a spotlight and an audience. I feel more comfortable reading my written thoughts rather than contemplating the jumbled up thoughts in my mind. It is just so much pleasant to be home rather than being outside. It is just so much appealing to be alone and recharge rather than failing to try communicating with people.
          I am not saying that being an introvert has no downfalls. I think, there are more demerits than any other personality. The biggest one is misconceptions. We often get misunderstood as anti-social, egoistic, socially awkward, weird, depressed and so on. We live in a world where people's first impression for a person who stays aloof starts with rude judgements. The next worse thing is the conversation. Till the time we make up our mind to express an opinion on a topic, the conservation already moves on to another topic, staring us anew; followed by more thinking and a cycle forms. This just makes us look uninterested and even arrogant. Many other things are attending official parties, get-togethers and the like.

          In my personal experience, I used to be frustrated with my unwillingness to meet people or engage in small talk. I used to be angry with myself for not sharing anything with any one and for being secretive. I used to feel weirded out by not having the interests and hobbies that most people around me had, such as partying, debating etc. But then, I had a hobby; reading. It taught me more than anything. I also liked photography and gardening. Soon, it hit me that I am an introvert. there was no reason to feel bad for being different. It is something to feel privileged for.
          There will be circumstances when you are forced into situations not suited for your personality. There will be days when you will have to talk to people all day. There will be occasions when you will have to put that pen and book down and attend to your commitments. And all you fellow introverts should realize that the world has its fair share of extroverts and that it  can get a bit grim out there. It is just our real selves which make us unique. It is that element which truly makes us introverts, at heart. And in case you feel strangled by people, you can always read these quotes by some of the introverts.

1. "I think a lot, but I don't say much." ~ Anne Frank.
2. "Quiet people have the loudest minds." ~ Stephen Hawking.
3. "There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas." ~ Susan Cain.
4. "I don't hate people, I just feel better when they aren't around" ~ Charles Bukowski.
5. "In a gentle way, you can shake the world" ~ Mahatma Gandhi.