Tag: solitude

Being an Introvert/Enjoying Solitude

I know that there are tons of people out there who will relate to this subject and topic, for I am one of those people too. I am talking about something that is on everyone’s mind and that is being an introvert. I want to start by saying that there is nothing wrong with being an introvert and in fact, people who are introverts are some of the smartest people we know. Famous people like Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks and Eleanor Roosevelt (another one of my heroes) have been known to be introverts. Yes, they may come across as shy, quiet, and someone who keeps to themselves, but nothing is wrong with that either. When you look up the definition there are many definitions, but one that sticks out is “a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings.” That, in my mind, clarifies who an introvert is to the t.

I think people are introverts for a variety of reasons. Maybe the primary reason is that they like silence in a world and society that is noisy. They enjoy the quietness, solitude and calmness of every moment. Although introverts tend to be quiet, they are observant of what goes on around them. They would observe rather than participating. Introverts are the ones who stay quiet, but that does not mean their thoughts are quiet too. Sometimes it is the quiet people we have to pay attention to. Stephen Hawking says it the best. “Quiet people have the loudest minds.” That is definitely something that is true and applies to introverts.

A part of being an introvert like I said before is enjoying solitude. To introverts it is important and vital like breathing. In other words, introverts need solitude to survive. Susan Cain says it pretty much the same way. “Solitude matters, and for some people, it’s the air they breathe.” People do not always believe me when I tell them I am an introvert because they think with the way I talk to people and socialize they think I am an extrovert. I am only that way around people I know and with people I am completely comfortable with. My therapist once explained that it all has to do with where you get your energy from and how you recharge. You either get it from being around other people or being by yourself and in solitude. I think I am right on the fence of being an extrovert and an introvert. I enjoy being around people, but more and more these days I enjoy the time I take to myself. I am not always the one who loves going out every Friday and weekend day. I wish people would believe me more on that, but each to their own I guess.

I wrote this piece for introverts and non-introverts alike because although a lot of us are introverts, there are also a lot of people who are not. I wrote this kind of as a rule book of what makes someone an introvert and how to deal with these kinds of people. This is a quote to kind of explain how to deal with someone like that. “Yes, I am an introvert. No, I’m not shy. No, I’m not stuck up. No, I’m not antisocial. I’m just listening. I’m just observing. I can’t stand small talk… But I’ll talk about life for hours. I’d rather be at home with a close friend or two than among a crowd of acquaintances. Don’t scold me in public. Don’t embarrass me in public. Respect that I am reserved. And if I open myself up to you, know that means you’re very special to me.” In other words, introverts should be respected just like everyone else. It does not matter what kind of introvert they are because they can have multiple layers. Respect and enjoy that!! Some of the best people are introverts, but that is just my personal opinion being one myself. This poem just touches some of the points of being an introvert. Happy reading and enjoy!!

Quiet Thoughts

In a noisy room, I want every moment that is
Quiet and peaceful. Darling, there is no need
For me or anyone else to be the one who says

Something just to fill the silence. You will lead
And I will follow right behind you. Take me to
Where the horizon meets the ocean. The seed

That nobody thought would grow. Give it a few
Drops of water. Watch it grow into something
Nobody thought would happen. A cut through

The serenity and something magical. A spring
By the waterside and a pretty flower that will
Unfold when you give it a place to grow. A wing

That uncurls and flies away. The quiet thrill
Just as the sun rises every morning and we
Are thinking every thought that keeps us still.

Why I Write

I have been writing poetry for as long as I could remember. I date it back to middle school when we wrote poems for English class. It has stuck with me ever since then. I always credit my 8th grade English teacher, Mr. Rose, for encouraging me to keep writing. People must wonder why I write, especially poetry.

The answer is very complex, but it makes sense to people who are the closest to me and it obviously makes complete sense to one person…That person would be me. I do not write poetry just for the heck of it, although I write a lot when I have nothing else to do. I write it for myself. I write it because it helps me make sense of what I am feeling, especially deep down inside. For other people, it is like writing in a journal or listening to music. It is therapeutic and soothing.

As a person who is, for the most part shy, unless she is around people she really knows, it has always been an important part of my life… the writing of poetry. I know that I have a hard time expressing how I feel, especially out loud and writing poetry has helped me break out of that shell. Writing is the best way to say what I need to say without feeling bad about it. In fact, it feels rewarding and freeing, especially if I am dealing with a bad situation or if I am otherwise weighted down. I write regardless if I am happy, sad, angry, mad, frustrated, etc. It is my way of coping with everything. I always try to carry around a notepad and pencil just in case if I get any inspiration. I even write notes on my iPhone.

In this world, you do not necessarily have to be a poet or a writer. As David Carradine says “If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.” In other words, we can all be writers and poets, but it matters more what you write and the content because it shows we have something to say or at least that is how I interpret that quote. People can disagree with me all they want to. I am leaving it open to interpretation.

To be a poet/writer you have to be open, especially to criticism, the ability to have guts and being vulnerable. That is what makes your writing better and more honest. I feel like honesty is the best policy. You choose what you get to write about. Natalie Goldberg says “Write about what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open.” In conclusion, when you are writer and Natalie is saying this as well, you have to be fearless and be willing to anything/everything. So I strongly encourage all of my readers to write, draw or whatever it is that expresses who you are and what you have to say. I promise you that it will be worthwhile in the end. It gives you a chance to be yourself or you can be someone else like in theatre and acting. That is the reason why I like theatre as well. There are simply no rules and you can do it any way you want to. Here are two pieces just to show similarities and differences. Enjoy!!

Writing

I get so lost in the words that I write.

The rest of the world fades away as

The words spill out like ink on paper

And beautiful images begin forming.

I do not notice the daylight bleeding

Into the darkness. Everybody talks

Their solitude and this is mine.

The paper listens to me and my pen

Is waiting for my command.

Here, nobody tells me the rules

Or how to write or what to write.

I listen to what my head and my

Heart tell me. Every story comes

To life and it captivates me.

 

Spilled Words

Words spilling out on a blank piece

Of canvas and images tumbling

Out. The doubt will stop and cease

 

Just for a moment. Thoughts stumbling

And lagging behind are catching up to

Me. Things that were once crumbling

 

To the floor like ash are rising up to you,

The one who never truly understands

Unless you know me. My long-lasting blue

 

Sky is different than yours. The strands

Running through my fingertips would never

Make sense to you. Hang onto my hands

 

So you know what I feel, but forever

Feels like a long time ago. Catch onto my

Every word. It will take however

 

Long it needs to for you to get why I cry

And the reasons why I write. Everything

I create are my friends. They make me less shy.