I know that it happened to some of us who growing up have been told to “speak up,” “come out of your shell,” or “stop being so quiet.”
As if silence was a mistake.
As if being reflective, reserved, or thoughtful was something we needed to let go of.
We were measured against the loudest voices in the room, and somewhere along the way, we started to believe that volume equaled value.
But being introverted isn’t something to fix. It’s something to understand and I think it’s something to maybe even celebrate.
The inner world of an introvert
An introvert lives in a world within the world.
While the outside is buzzing, we are pay attention in to subtle emotions of people. We see the unspoken thoughts swirling in the minds of different people.
We appreciate the quiet beauty of people and around us.
The energy of crowds is not enticing to us.
The quiet mornings or in pages of cherished books or even in moments of solitudes or in a deep conversation with a beloved, we get that energy.
We’re not antisocial.
We’re what I like to call selectively social. And mind you, we’re not shy, either.
Our procession is geared differently. Words come out of our mouths only when we feel we are ready.
We do show up but not through the expectations of others.
How the world often misunderstands us
Being extrovert in this culture is like a prize
To have charisma, to be confident, and to be visible is celebrated.
But introspection, thoughtfulness, and quiet presence?
Often overlooked.
In workplaces, this can be incredibly challenging.
People expect fast talkers and performances which are rewarded through promotions hence being in the limelight is rewarding.
But introverts bring something different or we could even say something invaluable. We listen.
We observe.
We process deeply.
We don’t just add noise but instead we bring clarity.
In schools, introverted students are often misread.
The quiet child who has a preference to reading alone at lunch might be seen as lonely.
Capability is viewed when a student raises the hand quickly and the one hesitates is branded as less capable.
But the truth is, many introverted students are absorbing more than we think.
They’re connecting dots others miss.
They just need space and trust to bloom and flower.
In friendships, we love quietly but deeply. We don’t always text back immediately.
Cancelling plans are our norm because we need the quiet to recharge and relive.
But we remember your favorite song. We know how to read between your words, and we’re present in ways that is felt more than seen. Our love is slow, steady, and sincere.
Embracing our quiet power
Being introverted in a noisy world can feel isolating but it doesn’t have to be. The key is not to change who we are, but to embrace how we move through the world.
We set boundaries.
We choose rest without guilt.
We speak when it matters.
We find people who understand our quiet, not just our words.
We stop apologizing for being “too much in our head” and start recognizing that our head is where our magic lives.
The world needs all kinds of voices be ut loud ones, soft ones and thoughtful ones. Introverts are the poets, the thinkers, the listeners, the feelers that this world needs. We’re not background characters.
We’re just not always on stage.
A Gentle Reminder
To my fellow introverts:
Your quiet is not a weakness.
It’s your strength.
In a world that never stops talking, your ability to listen, reflect, and feel deeply is a gift.
You don’t need to be louder.
You just need to be you.
Maisarah Mokaddam Hossenally
