THE
QUIET SERIES a voice for introversion
matt meyers
This project was inspired by susan cain’s book, “Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking.” The goal was to both highlight the lives of introverts living in a world of an extroverted ideal and to give a voice to those who are more hesitant to speak up.
5 17 29 39
One out of three people identifies as an introvert. The Quiet Series highlights the lives of some of these introverts. Society has dictated that only the extroverted are successful and happy. Today, our culture dictates that the extrovert is the ideal citizen. However, introverts hold
11 23 31 43
15 27 37 47
their own powers but often compare themselves to their extroverted counterparts. This comparison can force more introverted individuals to masquerade as someone they are not. This edition demonstrates the quiet beauty and strength of Cynthia Francis, Alexa Drouin, Andrea Vernier, Matt Meyers, Bindi Patel, Isha Pathak, Devon Mcdaniel, Abigail Knight, Rosemary Bornstein, Esther Osada, Teerth Patel, and Raquel Dominguez. Each participant was asked to define their own introversion and were interviewed about their introverted tendencies in order for others to understand a quieter side of life.
3
Quot es I live by: Cyn t hia Francis
“Time and silence are the most
– Tom
luxurious things we have today�
Ford
5
the wallflower Introversion is the tendency to listen rather than speak, to absorb rather than contribute, to wage a battle of words inside your mind rather than spew out your opinions so that others can pick them apart. HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE INTROVERSION? If you’ve ever read Perks of Being a Wallflower, Patrick (a perpetually misunderstood, yet loving friend) describes Charlie’s (introverted) character as the following, “He’s a wallflower. You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.” Introversion is internal, but others perceive it as disinterest or shyness. However, it isn’t quite the same. I could stand up in front of an audience and speak passionately about a topic and then become very uncomfortable when I have to interact one-on-one with members of that audience afterwards. Introvert’s strength lies in his/her ability to find comfort from within rather than feed off of the emotions of others. I think, as an introvert, I strove for independence from a young age. I didn’t want to put myself in a vulnerable position by depending on others so I chose to do things my own way. I was a very cautious child. I found it difficult to open up to others. I’ve grown to be more open and welcoming, but I think there will always be a reserved side to my personality that remains hidden. I think introverts are inherently more protective of themselves, their dreams and their desires.
The quiet ones are secretly the wittiest. Embrace it. As for extroverts, I secretly admire them. Just don’t tell them that.
7
Name: CYNTHIA FRANCIS Hometown: NEWBURGH, INDIANA Major: BIOLOGY Ambition in life: AS BEYONCE ONCE SAID...”TO BE HAPPY” Dream job: ONE WHO DELIVERS BABIES AND COLLECTS FINE ARTWORK Hobbies: COMPLAINING ABOUT BEING PREMED, READING, PINNING OUTFIT IDEAS ON PINTEREST, WATCHING PEOPLE on youtube do makeup, collaging, stress-cleaning, and always listening to music
“Time and silence are the , most luxurious things we , have today.”
– Tom Ford
“hardships often prepare , ordinary people for an , extraordinary destiny.”
– C.S. Lewis
“It is not the strongest of< the species that survives.< nor the most intelligent.< it is the one that is most < adaptable to change.” – Charles Darwin
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP? I grew up in a more submissive Asian household. It was loving, but protective, and built on fostering education and values. I grew up with high expectations and learned to build a work ethic to accomplish many goals I would have otherwise avoided without my parents motivation. With that said, my family values a quiet and respectful younger generation. Rather than voice your opinions and have thoughtful discussion, we were expected to obey without question. I would say that my cousins and I had to push against this standard for the majority of our lives, especially since we grew up in the US. The more relaxed, open mentality in the states was drastically different from the rigid, traditional climate in India and this culture shock was difficult for my parents to absorb. Within my family, I was accepted as a qui-
et, introverted bookworm, but at school or social gatherings I felt uncomfortable and developed a different persona. I turned into someone more open and self-assured and direct. I used biting words and sarcasm as a defense mechanism against my own discomfort. WHERE ARE YOU MOST COMFORTABLE? My room. Where I hang photos with friends and keep random knick-knacks. Where I drop my backpack and the weight of the day. Where I collapse after a long day and don’t have to pretend like everything is peachy keen. In my room, I can have a mini panic attack, vent to my roommate, call my mom, take a shower, make a sandwich, and just get on with life. WHERE DOES YOUR MIND DRIFT? When I listen to music, I create scenarios for specific songs as they play out. I consider
myself a professional daydreamer; like I would add that to my resume. I usually drift off to future scenarios I make up in my head, and they are the most random things like my white coat ceremony when I eventually make it to medical school or the speech I’m going to give at my brother’s wedding (he’s only 12). I enjoy planning out my future, but I’ve noticed that reality doesn’t always follow my ideas. WOULD YOU SAY YOU USE YOUR POWERS OF INTROVERSION TO GET AHEAD? I’m still trying to figure that out myself, actually. Introverts are like human sponges, or wallflowers. We sit and absorb everything, every opinion, every remark, every emotion, and we gain the most from these experiences. My roommate described it as autonomy, or the ability to take all considerations into account and formulate an independent, intellectual opinion.
The shower is my sanctuary. I feel like everyone takes a shower to unwind, reflect, and maybe even just chill for a bit. I try to be really philosophical or just reenact conversations from the day. Its great. In the future, I would like to invest in one of those fancy shower heads that make you feel like your standing under pouring rain.
9
The listener Being introverted means that a person doesn’t necessarily need constant social interaction in order to feel fulfilled. You can still have an appreciation for people and social environments but not feel the need to be interacting with others all the time. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF EXTROVERTS? I feel that the world puts extroverts on a pedestal and prizes that outgoing quality in a person. I sometimes wish I wanted to go out to more parties, or didn’t get anxiety over having to e-mail or call someone I don’t know. But, at times, I also can appreciate that I don’t constantly need to be in the presence of other people and can enjoy my time alone. I never truly feel bored because there’s so much in the world I find fascinating, and I feel that an extrovert can never really appreciate being alone. I think it’s good that there is a combination of extroverted and introverted people, though, because I honestly appreciate my extroverted friends who help me put myself out there. HOW DO YOU USE YOUR POWERS OF INTROVERSION TO GET AHEAD? I’m not the kind of person to talk just to fill silence, so anything I say has a purpose and is thought out, and I try to be as genuine with my words as possible. Essentially, when I have a conversation, it’s about the quality of what I say, not the quantity. In conversations, I generally do a lot more listening than talking. So when someone needs to vent or talk about something, I’m able to make them feel appreciated. I’m actually listening and comprehending what they say, not just hearing and waiting for my turn to speak. I also have a quieter demeanor, which can sometimes be more comforting for people in stressful situations. So, I guess I don’t try to get ahead, but maybe instead take a step back to reflect in order to know where to take my next steps.
Name: Alexa Drouin Hometown: Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Fallon, Illinois Major: Public Health and International Studies, pre-med Ambition in life: To travel the world and to be an active learner for the rest of my life Dream job: working in a national park or any job that allows me to travel Hobbies: Reading, listening to music, photography, hiking, drawing, knitting, singing, etc. I like to do a lot of stuff
11
Don’t fall into the trap of defining yourself as strictly introverted or extroverted. You can be extroverted and still enjoy reading, or be introverted and enjoy a night out with friends; there is fluidity to the interpretation being introverted or extroverted.
WHERE ARE YOU THE LEAST AND MOST COMFORTABLE? Parties used to be such a struggle to endure. Even now in college, I’ll leave parties early, partly because I may not know people, but more so because I’d rather just watch a movie in comfy clothes or hang out with a few close friends. I do, however, enjoy going out every now and then with friends. I am most comfortable anywhere I can be alone to read, or watch Netflix, or just lounge. I’m also really comfortable in my best friends’ houses, so I can be comfortable around other people. I feel the most comfortable when I know the majority of people in a room. From time to time, I have to be by myself, and I will generally knit, or clean, or read a book just to re-center myself. DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH ANY FAMOUS INTROVERTS? Emma Watson, for sure. I remember she said she can appreciate partying and that lifestyle, but for the most part she doesn’t feel the need to go out every night and constantly around stimulation and excitement. I think we are similar in that aspect.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE GROWING UP AS AN INTROVERT? I got grounded for reading too much, because I preferred to read a book rather than hang out with my classmates or friends. I always felt this constant pressure to act outgoing or exciting because that seemed to be what people desired in a friend. I had quite a few friends as a kid. but my best friends were always my siblings. IS ANYONE ELSE IN YOUR FAMILY INTROVERTED? I’d say all my siblings and I are pretty reserved for the most part, but my younger sister is definitely the most introverted of the four of us. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO INTROVERTS? Don’t try to be anything but yourself. Embrace the introverted-ness, but also don’t fall into this trap of either defining yourself as strictly introverted or extroverted. You can be extroverted and still enjoy reading, or be introverted and enjoy a night out with friends; there is fluidity to the interpretation of being introverted or extroverted. 13
The online version of this magazine has expired. The Fourth Edition of “The Quiet Series” is now available for purchase on Lulu.com. Click this link or search “The Quiet Series” at Lulu.com to purchase a copy.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/matt-meyers/the-quiet-series/paperback/product-21937386.html
15