a tribute to the introverts of the globe

     A short while ago, I read a sentence that said that solitude is the best mirror in the world to see our reality. If I had come across this quote a while ago, I would have scoffed at it disbelievingly. The idea that seclusion could bring one happiness was an unfamiliar concept to me. However, recent events in my life have brought about a change in perspective; and a desire to try and express the overwhelming multitude of emotions brimming inside of me are what have prompted this post. 

    Lately, I've been trying to find myself; to love the various aspects of my being as well as come to terms with my personality and who I am. Of course, it's not a feat that can be accomplished overnight; such self-actualisation requires time, effort and endless patience. But through the course of the past year or so, I have realised that one of the most important things to remember is that you are your own most faithful companion. You alone can cultivate the mindset to mould yourself into the person you want to be, and you alone can comfort and guide yourself through turbulent times. 

    Society has instilled in us the belief that being alone or being an introvert is a flaw, an imperfection warranting improvement. I think the opposite. In my opinion, to seek solitude and to quietly blossom in the ever-changing nature of the frenzied world around us is a gift. Being an introvert doesn’t necessarily entail the hatred of company or the desire to distance oneself from society. Moreover, it is a yearning to be engrossed in one’s enchanting surroundings and try to understand their captivating fleetingness without the interference of those who fail to understand the beauty of such intimacy. It is the quality by which a single person is capable of baring their soul to the masses, of being utterly vulnerable and large-hearted almost unintentionally but somehow still in the best possible way, and to drown in the ecstasy of such a feeling forever. It is the ability to appreciate and to understand the depth of words; to feel their resounding effect in every crevice of our souls and to silently dwell in the raw, wild nature by which they have the capacity to shatter us as well as invigorate us.

           Another one of my favourite things about introverts is that we see the world for how it truly is, comprehend the mechanism by which it functions. Every second lost is precious time wasted and thus it is vital to realise that life is too short to dwell on others’ feelings and emotions - it’s a rollercoaster designed to transform us into the best possible versions of ourselves, which is why there shouldn’t be a second of it left unexploited or unexplored. It helps us realise that life is, within and without, transcendent in its beauty, wild and savage and captivating in its resounding impermanence. It tears at us, rips our souls apart, leaves our hearts bare for the rest of the world to taint, but it also exposes us to wonders the like of which we’ve never seen before, and paves the path to a magical road of self-discovery. And after one has embedded this philosophy into their lives, irrevocably, they master the art of living. There is no obstacle, no gate, no bolt that society can set upon the freedom of their mind, for to remain who you are, to retain the very essence of your being after everything the world throws at you, is the most beautiful thing. This is why we must hurt and heal within the same breath, sob uncontrollably and then smile at the irrelevance of it all, for we are inconspicuous in the light of the enormity of the universe.

           However, as Oscar Wilde says, behind every exquisite thing that exists is something tragic, and hence, such a lifestyle comes with a cost. To be tender-hearted and to radiate vulnerable warmth, to pour your emotions out in a fierce torrent and to have the courage to occasionally give in to the threat of tears bears consequences. The ability to mould language fiercely and powerfully, to carry the whispers and remnants of exquisite words in the pores of your individuality, while beautiful, is also dangerous, for life is not kind. It rips us apart, demolishes our beliefs, clouds our minds with a dense fog of blurry uncertainty, and most frighteningly, it confines us to a realm of existence where we are forced to be utterly, helplessly alone. Being sensitive and gentle often cripples us to the extent where we are unable to defend ourselves, unable to protect the fragile aspects of our being from being tainted and broken into. It prevents us from gaining the strength of mind to believe in and love ourselves, and manipulates us into thinking that we need to change ourselves to fit into the societally acceptable image of the people we are ‘meant’ to be. This past year, I have faced such struggles. Exposed to surroundings where my personality was considered inadequate, where my softness was mistaken as weakness, and where my kindness was taken advantage of, I was constantly coaxed into believing that I was not enough – that academic, athletic and social validation were essential to me living a fulfilling life. However, I long since realised that fulfilment comes from being unique – that getting a bad grade once in a while, throwing chocolate wrappers into dustbins instead of basketballs into hoops, and preferring to stay at home and read rather than go out to a party isn’t the end of the world.

           If you’re still here after enduring the messy trail of emotions I’ve scattered through this post, I would like to leave you with one piece of advice. As C.S Lewis says, ‘Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person that you hide.’ Fall in love with life so inexorably that reality becomes better than even your wildest dreams. Of course, people will be cruel. If you ever feel that you aren’t adored or appreciated for who you are, that you are looked down upon for exposing your eccentricities instead of hiding them, then lose yourself in the enthralling worlds of dragons, fairies, flowers and soldiers; wrap yourself in the tales of their strangeness and peculiarity until you find someone who loves you as you are. Write your own story.

Love always,

Sneha 

p.s -> mail blissfulbarfi@gmail.com for any inquiries or questions!