I have read about the categorization of human level of social interaction into introversion and extroversion. The former is used to describe people that live a quiet and relatively secluded kind of life. Their interaction with others is at a very minimal level. In fact, interaction only happens in some cases because they couldn't escape it. The later group are the social types. They want people around them. They use every opportunity to show people that they are present in a gathering. I recently got to know about a third category, ambiversion which has a balanced characteristics of introversion and extroversion.
In all of these, it's difficult to place myself under a category. I operate in such a way that people's judgment about my personality at different times could be conflicting. I may behave as an introvert now and the next time I am an extrovert.
I grew up as a very quiet child. I hardly made any friends. Throughout my fifteen years stay with my parents, I had only two friends. We grew together and it was easy for us to blend. In school, I wasn't the type that interacted in class. I rarely raised my hand to ask questions in class. I didn't like myself to be the center of attention. Throughout that stage, I can say that I was an introvert.
A few years later, I began to notice that some situations used to make me deviate from such a nonsocial personality. When I see something going wrong to the extent that my voice could make a difference, I find it easy to switch from a quiet person to an outspoken one. Unfortunately, each time that I come out of my comfort zone to add my voice to make a desired change, I end up being disappointed. This was the case of my experience when in university.
I had been following the politics of a student body that I belonged to. It was riddled with corruption. Money meant for the payment of bursary to students were embezzled. When I got pissed off about the system, I decided to throw my hat into the ring to lead the body. People were surprised at what the motivating factor could be. Many people advised me to keep off my legs from the dirty waters of the students' politics. Others opined that my social nature can't cope with the political games. My driving force was to right the wrong of the association. Some people who shared in my dream campaigned on my behalf and I won the position of the president of the students' body.
As predicted by some people earlier, I could not stand the heat of the office. I resigned just five months into the one year tenure of office.
That experience made me rule out the idea of expanding my social circle. The stress isn't worth it. I retired back to my quiet nature.
My life after school remained the same. I hardly visit people and I hardly receive visitors too.
There are many factors that determine how social a person can be. These factors include music, love for sport, honoring invitations to events and many more. I listen to reggae songs. Not just any reggae song but those of Bob Marley and Lucky Dube. The majority of the people in my locality find this genre of music obsolete. Talking about sport, I am an Arsenal FC fan but I watch all the matches within the confines of my house. I don't go to viewing centers because of the noise nor do I argue football with anyone. As for visitation, I don't visit people. The only exception is when a colleague or neighbor is sick. In such a case, it becomes expedient for me to pay them a visit and wish them quick recovery.
My nonsocial nature has affected my relationship with people. At my place of work, my colleagues complain that I am too reserved. I hardly talk when any issue about the organization is being discussed. I may go to my head of department to submit my position later. She would wonder why I didn't give such a good contribution during the meeting. I don't like being the center of attention. With time, they became used to my personality. They began to take me for who I am.
Of course, I am comfortable with how I am. This is what gives me joy and I have accepted it. In a few cases, I still find myself considering leaving my comfort zone to right some wrongs in society but the disappointments that I got when I tried such in the past is discouraging me from repeating the same.
For now, I am that quiet nonsocial type. You may see me tomorrow trying to provide change through leadership.
However, introversion is my natural constituency.
