HOW TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD AS AN INTROVERT
If you are an introvert like me, you are most likely to hide behind your book or your phone whenever you see a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting. You most definitely go to great lengths, like plugging in headphones even when you don’t want to listen to music or taking stairs instead of lift to go down to cafeteria even when you hate any kind of physical exercise, just to avoid awkward small talks. Today, in this article, I am going to share the common struggles of an introvert that he/she goes through on daily basis and how to face them head on.
ALWAYS REMEMBER PEOPLE LOVES TO TALK ABOUT THEMSELVES-
As an introvert, I am happy ignoring the places where I’ll have to interact with people, I am not comfortable with but there are some occasions (like office parties, relative’s wedding, or function arranged by your parents) which you can’t save yourself from. Earlier on, I used to come off as someone who has attitude problems to people due to my introversion. But then, I learnt the trick to interact with people without really having a full conversation with them.I take the time to go through the latest news and headlines, and I make myself aware of latest gossip going around in the social circle of party’s guests. So, as soon as someone asks me ‘how’s it going?’, I smile in response and either shift the attention to daily news or latest gossip.
TAKE INITIATIVE-
The next problem, I most frequently face is having to work in a team. Having to work in a team means having regular interaction with other team members, having awkward small talks almost 2-3 times every working day, and the most difficult one- sharing the one hour among office hours that I normally get to myself i.e., lunch hour.The easiest way to save yourself from all this hassle is to take the initiative (which I know is hard for an introvert but trust me, this is the most efficient way to save yourself from cringe-worthy awkward small talks) as soon as the project is assigned, and to share the workload equally among all team members. This way you can finish your workload without having to regularly interact with others and you will have that lunch hour back to yourself.
US INTROVERTS HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER -
Though most of the time I relish spending time alone but sometimes it gets lonely, even among the people who call themselves my friend because it isn’t easy for me to talk to them. Making friends doesn’t come as easily to introverts as others. But it isn’t about easy or difficult, it’s about finding someone similar to you.Use your introvert radar and find someone who goes through the same struggles as you on daily basis, someone who is as uncomfortable in public setting as you, someone who can sit in silence without fidgeting. That way you won’t have to pretend to be someone else among your friends and you both will understand each other’s boundary and limitations. After all, we introverts have to stick together.
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| HOW TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD AS AN INTROVERT |
WRITE YOUR THOUGHTS DOWN -
It is difficult for an introvert to express his/her thoughts at the right time to the right people. If I feel angry or confused at the moment or I have an opinion that I want to share, it often happens that I don’t find the right words to express it.Writing it down helps! Writing your thoughts down will help you in articulating your thoughts. You will have the right words next time.
TRY TO UNDERSTAND OTHERS-
It’s not easy for an introvert to be in any kind of relationship, whether its romantic or platonic. We overanalyze every gesture and action of the other person, most of the time we aren’t in same book let alone same page when it comes to having fun and we are unable to express our feelings and thoughts. When it’s a party or social function, you can write your thoughts down and prepare yourself in advance but the same trick doesn’t apply when it comes to relationship.
You should try to tell them in advance about the difficulties you face in expressing your emotions. You should also try to understand the person you are in a relationship with and try to make them understand yourself so that neither of you will misunderstand the other person.
LEARN TO SMILE AND NOD -
This is the mantra every introvert should memorize. There is not much that can’t be solved with a bright smile. This is the one solution to all the problems of an introvert. If you are in a social setting and have forgotten to prepare the topics to discuss in advance and someone asks ‘how’s is it going?’, reply with a smile and nod. If you meet someone familiar at a public place but don’t want to talk just acknowledge their presence with a smile and a nod. If you don’t to verbally contribute in a conversation and can’t also get out of it, you know the solution- just smile and nod. |
| HOW TO DEAL WITH THE WORLD AS AN INTROVERT |
LEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH YOURSELF -
Being judged is something everyone goes through at some point. As an introvert, I am thought of as someone who doesn’t enjoy her life or as someone who is a snob or as someone who is boring because I don’t talk much.
It can’t be helped. All you can do is learn to not get affected by these silly judgements and try to surround yourself with people who understand you and your nature. Learn to be comfortable with yourself.
CONCLUDING SECTION:
I am not saying that being judged for being an introvert is right or that an introvert should change himself/herself. Sadly, we live in a society where there is a fixed right way and any diversion from that path is not accepted. Through this article, I don’t mean to say that we should conform to society. But us introverts should also accept that we are parts of a society and it is unhealthy to totally cut ourselves off from it. We should try to find a mid-way where we don’t have to change ourselves and still somehow manage to maintain a good relationship with all our friends and family.We should also not let out introversion turn into lack of confidence. We should remember that our thoughts and feeling are worth of being expressed and heard.
~Deepa
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