Even with my most unbiased hats on, I must say that life is more difficult for introverts. Of course, I understand that both sets of people - introverts and extroverts - have their own set of challenges, and in a way neither is bigger than the other. However, the challenges that really matter are defined by the context; in our lives, the context is that humans are social animals. Even an introvert would confess to the fact that having people around is helpful. But in a world where the nature of our interactions is progressively becoming shorter, and where we meet several people from different cultures and backgrounds, the time one has to make an 'impression' is reducing - this being the reason why extroverts have an inherent advantage.
I remember what I was told within the first few months of my job by my project manager - "at the Firm, like in life in general, it is important to make a first good impression. Your lack of energy can thus be problematic for you in future." To be fair, whoever I have spent enough time with during my job, I have formed great relations with them, irrespective of the background or culture they came from. I have struggled to create bonds with those colleagues who visited the team once or twice a week, and my peers who have a more outgoing personality have done that with more ease. Also, I noticed that in situations where I got drunk, and hence my social hesitance went away, I came out with greater social recognition and acceptance.
However, the fact that extroverts have an advantage in people-centric professions such as mine is not the topic of this post. I take that as a given, and I have made my peace with it. But the more I think of it, I feel that it holds true for one's personal life too. I see cousins and relatives appreciate more those who are more voluble at a family get-together. Those who make calls to relatives at every festival are considered 'better' because it, for some strange reason, seems to convey that 'you care'. Of course, there is a bit of truth in it - if you are making an effort to pick up the phone and call, you do care. But one also has to realise that the very act of picking up the phone and dialling someone is more difficult for people of a particular temperament and less so for others.
Now, this lack of enthusiasm from an introvert could be for two reasons -, one, the simple lack of confidence or, two, the genuine need to be with oneself. In that mimicking an extrovert's personality may lead to greater confidence, I believe it is better for an introvert to put oneself in more difficult situations. For example, going out in Amsterdam by myself and walking around the city has empowered me, because I find myself fully confident in talking to people who're complete strangers. I have been running such an experience for over a year now, and I realise that this meeting strangers has made me so much more confident. That is good, even if this is not my preferred interaction type. However, there would be cases in which I have seen an introvert want to be on his/her own, not because of lack of confidence but because they genuinely feel that way. I have also seen other people try to force their views on such people, especially at parties. That is something which shouldn't be done, because it may interfere, in a strange way, with the intake and outflow of energy for this person, and hence disturb his/her natural rhythm.
In conclusion, the world is indeed a difficult place for introverts. But we have much to learn from our extroverted friends, least of all how to speak one's mind. Because, my experience has taught me that confidence is the key to a happy life - it reflects as much on the people around you as it does on your own personality.
