The third week of March celebrates the introverts…
The “quiet ones“, who don’t feel like silence needs to be filled with unnecessary words, the misunderstood ones, always on the verge of almost saying something, the silent ones mistaken for being in deep thought, the reserved ones only because the world does not have a safe space for them to let down the thoughts in their hair …
Before the global pandemic, the world seemed to favour the extroverts who got energized by being out and about, socialising with people and then with lockdowns and social distancing and remote work; the new normal is a world where the introverts thrive….
I am on my fourth cup of coffee for the day and I have already toured the African continent three times on the internet, I am an Uncle of bloggers…
Growing up, I remember a remark on my report card written by my fifth grade teacher from the first term after moving to a new school in a new town. I had come first in class in every subject and my class teacher wrote something along the lines of.. Beaton has great potential if he overcomes his shyness and reserved nature.
I mean I was a new kid, and had come first not only in my class but the rest of the fifth grade classes and for the rest of my primary education I was always the student with the highest marks; except this one time when it dawned on me, that I had a crush on the girl who used to monopolise the first position before I came along. After we tied for first position one time, the next term, I may or may not have let her score higher than me, lets just say I was distracted…
Of course, that was also the year I learnt the life lesson that people don’t like it when you let them win…
The world makes it seem like being an introvert is a flaw that must be corrected, and synonymously equates it with social anxiety or awkwardness which must be overcome, instead of embracing our differences. Its not a disorder, some are more outgoing than others, some are short some are tall, some talk a lot, some listen more and others have really loud voices…
Its taken me a long time to realise that its ok to be the way I am, to play to my strengths, and that I don’t have to change to fit in with the world; it’s the world that should make space for me, please. Simply because I prefer to move in silence doesnt mean my lack of confidence nor do I not bask in my achievements…
I live in a world inside my head where the magic happens, …
I am genuine, not awkward
I like solitude not loneliness
I am thoughtful not quiet
I am self-aware not self-centered
I am original, not strange
I am independent not unpopular
I am unique, not weird
I speak softly and I write with a loud voice
Sure I am envious of people who can walk into a room full of strangers and shake everybody’s hands and speak their minds…
But I am a quiet storm and my fire burns just as bright….
~B
PS I get people telling me how surprised they are I am an introvert, see my writing persona is very extroverted.. I have a literary bound extrovert alter ego ^_^ Like Dr Jekyll and Uncle B. What are some misconceptions about introverts that you have run into?….
Becoming The Muse 
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