Stay in your Lane

Fake it 'til you irritate everyone.

There is nothing more off-putting than an introvert who is trying to act like an extrovert. My question is, WHY? Why in heaven’s name would you want to be an extrovert? It’s not like introverts aren’t interesting people. They’re crazy interesting.

And why is it you rarely see an extrovert who wants to be an introvert? Extroverts need more stimulation than introverts do. Their differences make the world go round.

Can you imagine the Dalai Lama as an extrovert?

Or what about Muhammad Ali as an introvert?

I think everyone should just stay in their own lane. If you’re an introvert, embrace your shyness, your quietness, your observational abilities, your ability to listen to someone intently. And if you’re an extrovert, then continue being the life of the party and engage everyone you meet along the way. Be boisterous and fun. And talkative - can’t forget talkative.

Nothing feels less authentic than someone wanting to be someone else. And if you think you’re fooling anyone, you’re not!!

So, what got me thinking about this? Well, I was online listening to a speaker the other day, and she was bloody annoying. She had a great message, but I couldn’t listen because her nervous energy and over-the-top exuberance distracted me. She seemed fake in some way and yet was trying to sell us on being authentic. And then she unwittingly let the cat out of the bag by asking, ‘can you believe I used to be an introvert?’

HELL YES!

She was just a wannabe extrovert. But why? Her message was great - we didn’t need her to be anything other than herself. Kinda hard to sell authenticity if you yourself are not authentic. Just sayin’.

Whatever happened in their lives that made them think extroverts were better than introverts? I’ll bet it all happened in high school. Most popular kids were the extroverts, but the introverts were making their way in the world as well and would be as interesting as extroverts if people just gave them a chance and slowed down to get to know them better. But high school is high school and things that happen in high school don’t always stay in high school. We bring our shattered hopes and dreams and insecurities with us everywhere we go.

Interestingly, I rarely see extroverts wanting to be introverts. But if they did, I rather doubt they’d be as annoying as a wannabe extrovert, probably because they’d be quieter. Let’s face it, extroverts may be popular and noisy and fun, but they can also be damned annoying themselves. BUT never as annoying as an introvert trying to be an extrovert.

Disclaimer: these are my ideas and my ideas alone!! I didn’t look up any stats but went by observation. And because it’s my blog, I can say whatever is going on in my little brain at the moment.

You’ll have to excuse me - I’m in a bit of a feisty mood today, can you tell??