Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life March Challenge
Years ago I took the Myers-Briggs test for personality analysis. It did not tell me anything I didn’t already know internally. I am an introvert. I have fought against this part of myself all my life. I’ve tried to attend the party, the parade, the picnic, but I never really understood why I would leave exhausted.
Now that I’m in my 50’s it’s time to realize that my basic personality is not going to change. It’s time to embrace the introvert in me. On Facebook this morning, someone posted this article. The article explained that, as an introvert, I have different needs. That I may feel like I have to hide those needs. Nail on head! Duh! How long have I been fighting against my own “needs”?
As the time gets nearer to spring break, my mind is revolting. I am craving time alone. Time alone is not only a luxury, however, it is one of my basic needs. I need to walk alone in the woods. I need to sit with a book and read. I need to watch the sunset.
Another of the 12 points listed that resonated with me was #8: A deeper purpose to their work.
I attended the regional SCBWI conference on Saturday. This morning I am trying to process why the business of finding an agent and marketing your work is unsettling to me. Why did that particular presentation leave me feeling defeated and hopeless? Because I need a deeper purpose for my work. That’s it.
When one of the presenters asked us to write down a purpose statement about why we write for children, I wrote, Children fill my world every day. I love being with them. I love watching them grow into who they are meant to be. I want to be a part of their world. I can be there with my words.
This post is one of those writing-to-discover-what-you-think posts. Maybe that needs to be added to the list of needs for the introvert. Writing is a way to clear the cobwebs to find the root of my thinking. Today, that root is being an introvert.
Introverts are not wrong.
We are different.
Embrace this difference.
Be confident in who you are.
I am sending this message to myself today and any other introverts out there.
I’m OK. You’re OK.
Azaleas blooming on St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans
Reflections on the Teche 