The Blind Thistle

Sounds crazy, right? Imagine all those shy, awkward, tongue-tied people you know ruling the landscape of Social Media?

If you are a regular user of Instagram then you most likely have stumbled across a few of the really, really big accounts (of your average people). I’m talking accounts with 100k followers and upwards. And if you take the time to read and listen to what they have to say you will most likely have heard the majority of them say that they are introverts.

I know, I know, you just can’t believe it – everything they say and post screams the opposite. What you see is fun, outgoing people with the ability to express themselves and bring people together.

I have told people on Instagram and Facebook that I am an introvert only to have comments back disputing it. But it’s true! You see, social media can be an introverts dream. We can share what we want, and only what we want. We have complete control over what you see and what we want to say. And it’s all done from the comfort and safety of our home, where we thrive.

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Social Media is a completely different way for introverts to “meet” and “talk” to people. There is none of that awkward meeting face to face, the dreaded small talk, the long, agonizing silence or feeling drained from just being around too many people. For me, social media has been a blessing – without it I wouldn’t know a lot of the people that I do. Heck, I wouldn’t know most of the people in my community either. But because of my online presence I have met and made great friends which carried over into “real” life.

Often times even my friends tend to forget that I am an introvert because when I am comfortable around them I can be very loud, silly and outgoing. It isn’t until there is a party or event that I am attending with them that they remember the introvert side of me, as I have PERFECTED the Irish exit and I use it often!

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When I first started out on social media I didn’t share any pictures that included myself in it. But the past few months I have been getting more and more comfortable with showing my face and doing “self-protraits’. I’m not gonna lie, It has been challenging, scary even. I prefer to be behind the camera, not in front of it. But I took on this challenge as way to grow and learn and I do not regret it. Because of this, I can express myself even more with fun Photoshop edits. Because I have been putting myself “out there” online I have been asked to Moderate on a few Instagram pages. I have been asked to promote brands and even to collaborate with others. It really has been amazing.

So, the next time someone tells you that they are an introvert, believe them.

And just because we are introverts does not mean we can’t engage with others, or be outgoing and funny. We just need to do it on our own terms. And if we happen to see you out and about and then hide among the trees to avoid you, please don’t take it personally, it’s just our way. 😊

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