HOT DAMN #31 — Being Introverted (And Keeping Quiet About It)

LIFE’S WONDERS PRAISED IN SUGGESTIVE, ODDBALL, AND NONSENSE WAYS

As a counterpoint to my usual cynical antics, I’ve committed myself to a weekly, year-long discussion of my life’s joys.  But, never one for the more traditional approaches, I intend to keep things a little off side, a tad outlandish, and always one foot outside of polite company.

//BEING INTROVERTED (And Keeping Quiet About It)//

Introvert pride – I get it, but it weirds me out.

No longer is it cool to shun the quiet person. So what if they want to spend time alone by themselves. Is that any reason to think less of them?

Of course not.

But now it’s cool to be an introvert. Or have you not seen all the Buzzfeed articles and other media discussions? You can even take online quizzes to see what type of introvert you are; your results, of course, are posted to Facebook where everyone can “like” how cool you are now that you’re officially the “Awkward, yet thoughtful introvert.”

This sweater is a little TOO on the nose . . .

Like geeks, introverts can now stand proud, confident in the knowledge that they’re not weird. No, sir – they’re just different, like Apple computers or something.

These days, introverts sport their quietness like a badge of honour.

And good for them. I guess.

Yet, the whole introvert pride phenomenon kind of tires me out. I mean, is it just me, or does this movement seem like a decidedly extroverted thing to do?

Sure, extroverts have long had the advantage when it comes to . . . well, all things in life. So you might think adopting a few of their strategies would be beneficial to the introvert cause. And maybe you’d be right.

But it feels like they’re selling out. In fact, it feels like they’re betraying the real introverts.

Introverts like me.

I don’t want recognition. I don’t want pride. I don’t even want a parade (though parades are kind of awesome).

Do you know what I do want? Just a cup of tea and maybe some alone time. Most of all, though, I want to make as little of being an introvert as I can.

Okay, yes, I do own a sweater that explicitly references my social anxiety, and that kind of contradicts what I just said, but . . . well, whatever.

Being introverted, I’ve said more than I usually do.

So deal with it.

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Did you miss last week’s entry on LEMONADE?  Catch up here.

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