Confessions of a Closet Introvert

Introduction to Introversion

WARNING: This first chapter is gonna be more like a scientific rant than anything else, so don't read it if you don't care to know anything about the science of introversion. I just wanted to help define what a true introvert is.

Okay, now that that's settled, hi. I'm Tara. Many of the people who are gonna read this know me personally, so you may be a little surprised to see how my brain works after seeing me from the outside, you know, acting absolutely psycho. Some of you may think, "Hey, maybe she's not really that crazy, she just acts that crazy. Maybe she's normal inside". But alas, you would be mistaken. I am even more crazy and loud and outspoken and moody inside my head than around you people. And this is all due to a term I like to call "introversion".

What is an introvert? you may ask. I'm sure you all have a common idea about who an introvert is, how they act and talk, even how they dress, but you are wrong. Except for those of you who are right. Because an introvert cannot be defined by any sort of shy, bookworm stereotype you throw at them. An introvert could be any kind of person, even the loudest, most obnoxious person you know, and their introversion could be hiding right under our noses. Like self-reflecting mustaches.

The definition of the word "introversion" is:
1. the act of directing one's interest inward or to things within the self.
2. the state of being concerned primarily with one's own thoughts and feelings rather than with the external environment.

So if you find yourself not really caring about other people's problems or you just spend the majority of your time reflecting inward, you very well could be an introvert. Heaven knows I don't care about other people's problems (JK). But it is true that introverts like me have a constant inner monolouge running through their heads, which is what takes up the majority of their attention. In conclusion, the voices in my head are considered the "norm" for introverts. Yipee?

Anyways, the point of this book is to point out how hard it is for introverts to go about their day to day lives. We have to interact with people. Which is, like, so gross. I hate people. But lots of introverts, like me, mask their introversion with a facade of friendliness and cheerfulness and outgoing-ness... which might sound like nothing to you extraverts, but that's pretty hard. Let it never be said that I was a bad actor. Therefore, today's society has created a new breed of people to hide who they are, now that, you know, homosexuality is cool. Today's society has created: The Closet Introvert!

Yes! There are so many introverted people who are so afraid of being judged by their peers that they will act as though they were extraverts, me included. So irritated by the ever present question, "What's wrong?" just because we don't want to talk to other people, that we fake a smile whenever we see even the most annoying of people walk our way.

So my final advice to y'all extraverts out there is this: If you see someone just sitting somewhere by themselves, minding their own business, stay out of their business. There is a reason they aren't talking to you. There is nothing wrong. They don't want to talk to you. And that's it. So just walk away, don't bother them, and give them a little bit if peace. ✌It would be well appreciated.

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A/N

I have lots more to say about introversion and extraversion and other psychological stuff, so those of you who find these sort of chapters boring will find psychological chapters labeled with a large PSYCH at the top of the chapter.

This book may just become a rant center for me, or just about psychology, or even just random stuff that has no meaning, so feel no pressure to vote. Because I honestly don't know what the hell I'm doing with this book, and I'm pretty tired, and now I'm rambling.

Thanks for bearing with me!