How to Be Alone

One would think that in a world with six billion people, everyone would at least have a few confidants. Reality isn't so kind. In a world full of people who judge rather than accept, it's easy to get lost in the fray for simply being quiet.

Different countries value different virtues and unfortunately for me, I live in a culture that deems quiet and shy as uninteresting and plain. I do admit that I'm not the most interesting person, but that's because I haven't had experiences like others have had with friends. Simply because I don't have them. Our world focuses so much on how people look and discriminate that we forget that simple personality traits can make someone feel alienated from the rest of society.

I'm what one would classify as a drifter. I drift between different friend groups, but I don't belong to them. I'm a convenient partner or the last resort for people. I've had three roommates since coming to college, and I haven't maintained a relationship with any of them. The biggest reason for this is because I don't know how to be social. I don't know how to create small talk, yet I can discuss many things in a long conversation. That's not valued. Neither is letting someone gain your trust unless it benefits you. I'm not going to detail every aspect of my life when I don't know a person, but apparently that's customary in American culture.

Next time you are out in public or sitting in a classroom and you see someone sitting, most likely by themselves, maybe consider talking to them. Maybe consider talking to someone who might not know how. The saying goes, "The world is a lonely place" and for some, that's just everyday life.