Quote:
Originally Posted by troutman
I'm still introverted but that is different than being shy.
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And that right there is key. Introversion and shyness are not the same thing. Shyness is a behaviour while introversion is a personality type. You can control one of them and the other you cannot.
Being labeled as "shy" makes one feel as though they somehow don't like to be social or to meet new people or chitchat. Totally not true. I think that type of labeling is very confusing to a child. It was for me.
And the thing that irks me is the negative connotation often associated with introversion. There's nothing wrong with it. As pointed out by some in this thread, there are actually many advantages to introversion. As an introverted person with an introverted daughter just reaching adulthood, I've found it extremely important to understand this and teach her the value of her nature.
Like others in this thread, it was incredibly empowering when I finally came upon that point in my life where I realized what I was and how I add value to all situations.
Our society does value many extroverted type traits, but introverts don't have to feel like lesser people because they don't fit that mold. Our society needs both!