Shyness is about fear of social judgement. Introversion is more about, how do you respond to stimulation, including social stimulation. So extroverts really crave large amounts of stimulation, whereas introverts feel their most alive and their most switched-on and their most capable when they’re in quieter, more low-key environments.
—Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
I’ve always been drawn to outgoing charismatic people. The humorous and outspoken. The blunt and sarcastic. The ones who flutter from group to group, leaving a trail of uproarious laughter where they go. I have a lot of friends who are outspoken and outgoing. They push me outside my comfort zone and help me branch out.
Shortly after turning twenty-one, one of my good friends became my Obi-Wan Kenobi of bar-hopping. She would holler over the loud bass beats in dance clubs to order our drinks and strike up conversations with strangers. I always admired her out-going nature and charismatic persona. The first couple times going out to the clubs on Seattle’s rowdy Capitol Hill was very intimidating for me. I’m definitely more of an introvert. But I pushed myself to go, thinking, these are your college years–this is what you’re suppose to do. After becoming more familiar with the bar scene of Capitol Hill, I became more comfortable and the nights became more enjoyable.
Near the end of my senior year of college, late nights out on the town simmered down. I have some amazing memories with friends and I’m thankful for those times when we’d stumble together down the streets of Capitol Hill, laughing and reminiscing. I’m also more appreciative of the fact that a Friday or Saturday night watching reruns or curling up with a good book will suffice as well.
A Millennial's Musings 