Blog: Introverts and Extroverts Unite
It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert, extrovert, ambivert or any other type of vert. What is most important is to march to your own beat, says Madeleine, Co-Captain of Service Learning.
Hello everyone. Today I am going to slightly deviate from the ever-present COVID-19 conversation and share with you what being ‘Fear-less’ means to me.
I, like many of you, would classify myself as an introverted person. What does this mean? Introverted people are ones who tend to be inward turning, or focused on more internal thoughts, feelings and moods rather than seeking out external simulation. What does this look like? Personally, I often feel nervous in crowded places or social gatherings. I would often prefer to read a book or watch a movie with my sister on a Saturday night then go to a party. Although it seems everybody is getting a taste of these introspective activities recently, usually people draw their energy from a variety of different sources.
Research has shown that everyone has some degree of both introversion and extroversion. However, people often tend to lean one way or another. Often misconceptions can arise regarding the people belonging to both sides of the spectrum. Introverts may be considered shy and awkward and extroverts may be considered brash or overconfident. It is important that we are not swayed by these stereotypes. They paint a false picture and restrict our views of others.
For example, we tend to define our leaders as rather extroverted and self-assured people. However, did you know that Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Steven Spielberg, Nicole Kidman, Audrey Hepburn, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Zuckerberg, Gandhi and Doctor Seuss are all renowned introverts?
Personally, I am not ashamed of my introverted nature at all. Being quiet has never stopped me from doing what I am passionate about and trying new things. In fact, I think that it has proved to be one of my greatest strengths.
Don’t get me wrong. I am definitely not saying one side of the spectrum is better than the other. On the contrary, many of my friends are very outgoing and I deeply admire them. My point is that no one should be made to feel like they are not good enough because of who they are. No one is superior to another because of their personality type.
You don’t need to have a loud voice to be strong. You don’t have to shout to be heard. You don’t have to be the best talker to have the best ideas. You can be quiet and confident. Equally, you don’t need to be quiet to be a good listener and just because you are talkative doesn’t mean you are not pensive.
If you are going to take one thing away from today’s talk, please let it be this. It doesn’t matter if you are an introvert, extrovert, ambivert or any other type of vert. What is most important is to march to your own beat, follow your own passions, stay kind and eventually you will get where you want to go.
In the words of Amy Poehler, a modern-day queen, “Change the world by being yourself.” Let’s not be embarrassed or ashamed of ourselves or our natures. Rather, let’s fear-less and embrace these very things in order to make the most of our time here.
I know I said I would deviate from COVID-19, but I think that this strange pause has also shown us that we must relinquish all of our inhibitions and just accept things as they are in order to fully live.
Thank you.
Madeleine (Year 12)
Co-Captain of Service Learning
You can view Maddie's speech