I’ve always been an introvert. I’ve not always know I wasn’t defective.
I have never been comfortable around strangers.
I have no idea whose house we were at, but they had a piano. I must have been pretty young, because when I was in elementary school, my parents bought a piano and my sister took lessons. I wanted to play the piano. (I didn’t know how to play the piano.) She said I needed to ask. I was terrified of asking. She said if I didn’t ask, I wouldn’t get to do it. I didn’t ask.
That’s not introversion. That’s anxiety.
I remember in 7th grade seeing a (very extroverted) friend of mine talking and laughing with a couple of other people and thinking that I wished I was more like that because it looks like so much fun.
I spent the next 25 years trying to be that.
And then I realized: that’s just not me. And that’s OK.
In the mean time, I gained skills in hanging with people who I’m uncomfortable with, maybe without it being completely obvious. (I’m still pretty self-conscious in those situations, so it’s hard telling what it looks like from the outside.)
I can have a conversation with a person I don’t know, if they can hang for their half and if there’s something to trigger a conversation.
Most of the time, I still can’t start a conversation from zero with a person I don’t know or don’t know very well.
Unlike the current pop definition of introvert, I love spending time with people. They just need to be my people. I spend so little time in meaningful conversations that when I can spend time with friends, it definitely feeds my soul. (And if I’m feeling particularly chatty, watch out!)
But, like the real definition of introvert, I also need time to myself to recharge. But recharge from the energy spent with people teaching or small talking or other necessary-but-draining activities. Not from hanging with friends.
I’d be thrilled to lose more of the anxiety, or to be better able to make conversation, but not being an extrovert? That’s OK.
I’m an introvert, too. When I was young, the label was shy, and I had the sense that people favored the extroverted, outgoing people over types like me. But as I got older, I stated valuing my type, and now, at 48, I am proud to enjoy my alone time and to be social with limits, and I don’t wish at all to be an extrovert.
It takes a long time. We have a lot going for us!
I totally understand why you didn’t ask to play the piano. I refused piano lessons because I couldn’t deal with the teacher being a stranger. I have embraced my introversion since. We’re very perceptive and empathetic people. And like you I have my chatty side too! It comes out when I’m with my people. 🙂