This might sound dumb

[Jessica Ballantyne]

This might sound dumb. I was a shy kid who had trouble bonding with people and making friends. I really should've taken drama, and now I regret it. I basically sat myself out on opportunities and experiences, but by accident. I wasn't a social butterfly, and always made attempts to be socially active, by enrolling in classes, playing sports, taking programs, hitting cafes and bars, and going to weekend events. Otherwise, I spent excessive amounts of time in my room, sitting all by myself on my computer for hours on end, and spending the evenings watching prime time. 

I really wish that I listened to all the advice my dad gave me as a young teen. I hadn't realized how time moves on, and you need to take advantage of the present, or else 25 years later, you'll go "Oooppps, wish I put myself to the challenge." Now I'm an adult, but I still have people making occasional comments, "Smile" or "Don't be afraid to talk to people." Possibly, I'm just a natural introvert, who enjoys my own company, and does my own things. 

But after all these years, I feel like I've just been hiding. Hiding is what probably killed my wish fulfillments because I refused to leave my comfort zone. To top it. I spent a good 3.5 decades hanging out in the same room, hardly ever making a difference. 

[Valeria Franco]

Dear Jessica, 

I feel you.

And I think you shouldn't take all the responsibility of not having done enough experience.

It's true, even introverts need a social life, and not staying in their room all the time. Lonely and alone are two different things.

But the world should help. The society. The parents. 
Pushing an introvert saying "why don't you go out more, smile more" isn't gonna help, on the contrary, it sparks shame.

We need specific, quiet, introverted-friendly environment to thrive.

[Jessica Ballantyne]

Thanks Valerie, that's a good response, yes many just don't get it.