“Are you an introvert or an extrovert?” is probably a question you’ve been asked before. If you’re an extrovert, you probably don’t know why this question can be a source of anxiety for some introverts. After all, you don’t get judged that much based on your answer. However, many introverts don’t have that luxury.

Extroverted and introverted are not just fancy terms for outgoing or shy. They refer to the circumstance in which you gain energy. Extroverts find themselves energized when they are around other people, whereas introverts gain more energy when they are alone.

Understandably, extroverts don’t always have a complete grasp on the truth about introverts, and misconceptions are common. 

Rachel Etter, a freshman at Oakdale High School, would consider herself an introvert. When asked how people react to her telling them she’s an introvert, Etter said, “They just assume I don’t want to talk to anyone. I do want to, but not more than five people at a time, or I’ll be overwhelmed.”

Personally, Etter believes that being an introvert does impact her performance. “Actors can’t be afraid to look strange. I constantly worry about what people think of me, so that limits my ability to take on a role correctly and portray different emotions accurately.”

Julia Schillaci, a Sophomore at Oakdale, also considers herself to be an introvert. When asked how people react when she tells them, she said, “Let’s be honest. It doesn’t come up a lot in conversation, but they are surprised because I am a performer.”

Schillaci believes that there’s a lot that extroverts don’t know about introverts. “You can’t change us,” she stated, “and also, being an introvert doesn’t mean that you don’t interact with people, it just means that our way to recharge is by being alone.”

Unlike Etter, who believes that her introversion does impact her performance, Schillaci takes an opposing view. “I don’t think it affects my performance as much as it affects after performances,” she announced, “You get really tired, so meeting people is the last thing you want to do after a performance. Sometimes you just want to eat and sleep.”

In conclusion, introverts aren’t as easy to spot as one might think. They aren’t necessarily shy, and they can even be actors, dancers, singers, or athletes. Introverts don’t stand out in a crowd of extroverts at all, even if you might think they do based on how they are represented in pop culture.