I considered myself a “forced introvert” (note : past tense). I was bullied (not so much physicly though) in elementry and cried alot. People saw me as weird and emotional, sometimes even my parents. I wanted to be alone where no one could judge me, so I shut myself off.
Almost never hung out with friends to the mall/somewhere else. I would cry if my mom or dad took me a social event where I had to “look apropriate” and “act well”. I would be the last person to know if there was news in the class. Even, I once studied for the wrong material on a big test because I wrote it wrong and had no one to study with me to remind me about it.
It was horrible, I was sad, developed a pessimistic view and lower self esteem which I still have to deal up till this moment. Deep down I always knew I wanted friends who would not judge me. And I would say I wasn’t deeply into my faith back then despite being a cradle catholic. Didn’t pray about it, but our God is great and has amazing plans for me.
In 10th grade, we had sort of a homeroom where our teacher told us to write advice for each other. What I got from most of the classmates was to be open. They wanted to be my friends and know about me more. And so I did for the next 2 years.
Long story short, one of the best decision I made. I became friends with a variety of people. Yes I still got judged and yes I still cried. But I found some who accepted me for who I am and didn’t judge me.
I guess what I hope from posting my story is that people who read this is that you don’t try to conform yourself to someone you’re not. God made you unique as you are. Don’t see being an introvert as a bad thing. It doesn’t make you a bad friend or a bad person whatsoever.