Some people may refer to introverts as the extras, or the people in the background. People think that they are just shy, quiet individuals that have no social life, and this is true but it’s also a choice for many. For almost a year we have felt the pain that is quarantine. We all hate it and need to be freed from it, but the reality is that there are people thriving in this new world. And those people are the introverts. 

As the COVID-19 virus sweeps through the nation and the entire world, we have been forced by unprecedented measures to stay and sit in our individual homes. All this in order to stay away from people who are transmitting the virus. Consequently, for the past nine months you can imagine how miserable and lonely us teenagers have been. Life as we know it is altered. No more hangouts, no more classroom antics, no more sports, and no more social life. Not everyone wants to stay in the house, so they risk themselves by playing basketball with their comrades, shopping at the mall or shopping at the supermarket all while wearing masks.

The population of teenagers that are introverts, don’t mind the isolation, and love their private lives. Introverts usually prefer calm environments that don’t require any social engagements, and that space is even therapeutic for some. The feeling for an introvert to stay in their own bubble feels free, safe, and endless. No stressing about meeting new people, or any chaos from a crowd, just the “me, myself, and I” mentality. It’s not meant to be selfish, but more as a vacation from the exhausting and draining interactions. The option to social distance and the option to keep a muted black screen during class, feels much more comfortable for them. 

Extroverts or people that are known as “social butterflies,” require socialization skills that make this pandemic extraordinarily difficult to cope with. It’s not a full extreme necessity, but it helps them feel in touch with themselves. Without that social interaction, extroverts may feel lonely and missing the life they had before the pandemic.

A County Prep High school student explains why this pandemic has crushed her spirit due to her being such an extrovert.

“ It’s been difficult,” Anonymous said. Especially earlier on because earlier on things were a lot stricter and since the restrictions you weren’t able to see who you wanted to see.” 

The pandemic however hasn’t halted her from completely not communicating. She still spreads her social wings which in her turn helps her cope with being inside 24 hours a day.

“I facetime my friends, watch movies with my friends, play video games with my friends all from the comfort of my home,” Anonymous said. “Instagram, discord, Netflix party and Snapchat are the platforms I use,” Anonymous said.

While extroverts aren’t joyfully thriving during this time in quarantine, introverts are growing fond of this scene. For example:

1. They’re learning more things about themselves 
2. There is more time for personal growth 
3. They finally have the ability to drop pretenses and be themselves, by themselves
4. They don’t have to force any unwanted interactions
5. No more pretending to enjoy group hang outs or intense class discussions
6. Most imperative, they are able to sort out their actual priorities.

It’s unfortunate that some people have suffered through this pandemic, and have missed out on a lot, but introverts found this time as an escape. At the end of the day introverted people don’t mean to appear standoffish, they just want to be left alone and remain privy to their visceral thoughts. The truth in all is you only live once. Living once is about living the way you want to live and that maxim is especially present now, no matter if you define yourself as an introvert.