I spend A LOT of time in the library which is why it should come as no surprise that this was one location I had in mind for an outfit shot. I'm at the lib so much that the guards, circulation staff and internet reservation staff know me already. What can I say? The library is a haven for people like me who have no permanent hang-out. Being an irregular student (I have both 3rd and 4th year subjects) in a school that has block sectioning, there are times wherein my classmates have classes when I don't so where do I go? Naturally, to the library. Alone.
Sometimes I like it that way--I get work done and I have alone time. I dislike calling attention to myself which is why I'm content sitting in a corner, curled up with a book or notebook, perhaps thinking of what else to write for my blog. Sometimes I don't like being there alone but I end up at the library anyway out of habit. There are a lot of times people tell me (my dad included) that I should be more outgoing and don't get me wrong, I really want to--and I beat myself up over it a lot of times--but I think I'm genetically programmed to be a loner or a socially awkward penguin more commonly known as an introvert.
Take yesterday for example, I was at our AIESEC meeting and there were EPs (exchange participants) mingling with the AIESECers but I was there in a corner, doing my own thing. Can anyone say hastag socially awkward? But before you think of the extreme negative connotations associated with introverts or shyness (by the way, don't mix them up!) such as me being a loser who cannot talk to anyone, I'd like to clear up some misconceptions on my kind of people.
For one, most people don't know that there is a science and biological connection behind introversion or extroversion. According to the book "The Introvert Advantage (How To Thrive in an Extrovert World), by Marti Laney, Psy.D.", introverts are people who are over-sensitive to dopamine, so too much external stimulation overdoses and exhausts them. Conversely, extroverts can’t get enough dopamine, and they require adrenaline for their brains to create it. Extroverts also have a shorter pathway and less blood-flow to the brain. The messages of an Extrovert’s nervous system mostly bypass the Broca’s area in the frontal lobe, which is where a large portion of contemplation takes place.
The book also says that around 25% of people are introverts, some more than others, but from among these 25% come the world's best thinkers, philosophers, scientists and artists.
Some introvert (Farrah) myths I want to dispel:
1) Introverts don't like to talk.
We do talk but not unless we have something to say. We're very straight to the point and we generally dislike small talk (which is why my dad and I don't see eye to eye often. He's an extrovert through and through and sometimes he just doesn't get that I don't feel like talking and I don't want to be bothered).
2) Introverts are shy/afraid of people.
Not true at all! What we need is a reason to interact. We're thinkers so we tend to overthink even the littlest social interaction and then we don't end up approaching the person. If you want to talk to an introvert, just talk. I definitely won't initiate conversation (most of the time) but I'll definitely keep the conversation going. Hello, introverts are the best persons to talk to because we listen and evaluate before replying, and we read a lot so we know lots of things! Hahaha. I can't tell you how much less friends I'd have if my extrovert friends didn't talk to me first (that sounds bad but hello Ayessa, Dawn and Janvie to name a few)
It’s true that many shy people are introverted. Yet not all introverts are shy – they’re just reserved, or in other words, they like to keep to themselves and not involve themselves in the affairs of other people too much. The difference between shyness and introversion is that shy people are scared of social contact, introverts aren’t. (source)
3) Introverts are arrogant.
We just like to keep to ourselves especially in unfamiliar territory. Usually I try to get a feel of the situation or the vibe of the room before I make a move or what.
4) Introverts are anti-social.
By anti-social it's meant that we don't like going out which is partly true, especially in my case. It's because I can only take so much stimulation. I generally get uncomfortable and claustrophobic in bars and in big groups, especially when I'm not in the mood to party. I can take them in small doses which is why I'm not a club/bar regular.
5) Introverts always want to be alone.
On the contrary, I dislike being alone all the time. What is life if you have no one to share it with? I like being with my friends--the handful of people I trust--and have meaningful conversations with them.
so, yeah I'm an extrovert. hahaha
ReplyDeletelove this post besh!
True! Extrovert juy!! Thanks Yess :)
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