My Life as an Introvert

Yes, I am an introvert. The first thing I remember when I found out about that,
my thought was "Oh my god, so I am just a normal person with such a characteristic". Before that I used to think I am kind of reserved person, might be due to my background and the way I was brought up. I have been brought up in a family with crisis, my parents was strict and I felt that I didn't get enough freedom during my childhood. Introversion is actually a characteristic which is not necessarily caused by the damage in ones family or childhood.

What is introvert? How do you know if you are an introvert? Introvert is the opposite of extrovert. If you think all this while you were talking less and found that being around people is making you tired, then you already find an answer. Being an introvert is like you communicate with yourself more than with others and being around people sometimes make you uncomfortable. An introvert is not necessarily a shy person. But if you have a little bit shyness in you, that would explain that you might be an introvert. Introverts prefer spending time alone, but not necessarily an anti-social or not having friends.

As for me, I am the eldest child from 5 girls. However, my younger sister below me (which indicates second eldest child) is an extrovert. That makes she stands out more, and when we were together, she was like fading me out. Same goes to third and fourth child, the youngest is more like me, an introvert. Three extroverts versus two introverts makes the two do not exist in particular situation. People usually prefer extroverts as they draw more attention from people.

I enjoy reading very much, and enjoy watching movies alone; even at cinemas. Some people think I'm a miserable person which I am not. At my Form 4 in secondary school, I got two teachers mistaken me as a problematic student. They thought I have a serious issue back at home, and one of them even thought I am a rape or incest victim. How judgemental is that? Introverts are happy in their own mindstates even their faces not showing so. The thing I enjoyed being an introvert is the feeling that myself is my boss, and it gives me the power of freedom. Wandering and spending alone in shopping mall will truly make my day.

While some people believe that introverts linked with anti-social and low self-esteem, there are examples of successful introverts such as Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln. That is why I think programmer will suit me the best as a career, but the expectations are high and apparently I don't have enough skills needed for that job. Introverts enjoy working alone and having less interaction with others. I will define introverts as a 'thinker' as they think more than talk. I have a handful of friends which vice versa with my younger sister and I envy her, but it is not something that I can control, I am just being myself and more comfortable with that. My only hope is that all introvert's family, friends and colloeagues will understand more about introverts rather than labelling them for being shy, quiet or low self-esteem.