The Power of Misfits

after a couple of years of this lifestyle, I realized that I was wasting myself. Yes, I was socializing like a “normal” person, I was meeting new people, I was going out, and had a lot of fun, but the truth was that the only thing this way of life brought me was a disappointment.

I suffered from the understanding that I was an awkward misfit, unable to do what was so simple and seemed to come so naturally and easily to everyone else: connecting with other human beings.

remember that no matter how introverted you are, you still have the need for belonging, as all human beings do. What differs among people is how this need gets fulfilled. For example, if you are extremely introverted, your sense of belonging might be satisfied by being a part of your family alone.

realized that I didn’t have to force myself into extroversion because that simply wasn’t who I was. Having a more socially active life wouldn’t bring me happiness and fulfillment. It would just drain my energy and time. I understood that for my whole life I had been trying to become someone else to fit in with social expectations, and this is what

many people discover that they have been living their lives for someone else way too late.

Here, it was just a bunch of strangers who seemed to get on really well with each other while I was excluded from this joy. I spent most of the breaks between classes in the bathroom or somewhere quiet because I couldn’t bear sitting alone like an outcast and talking to no one while everyone else was having fun with each other.

was convinced that if I went out as much as possible and met as many people as I could, it would change my personality as well.

Studies suggest that people often find it easier to conceive their best ideas when alone, contrary to the popular belief in the power of teamwork and brainstorming[12]

First of all, multiple acquaintances and social activities can be distracting. If you’re an introvert, you’re aware of the truth of this statement more than anyone else.