For all my fellow introverts, here is a list of ways to keep yourself grounded in a very loud and unrestrained world.

I consider myself an introvert.

Most people laugh when I tell them that because they know me as the guy who feels comfortable on a stage or who is always hosting people in his home.

But many people share my experience of being an introvert:

• Shamefully awkward in school.
• Lots of time spent on creative endeavors.
• A feeling of being different.
• Filled with anxiety.

For all my fellow introverts, here is a list of ways to keep yourself grounded in a very loud and unrestrained world.

Don’t take your introvert label so seriously: It’s a helpful guide, but these labels don’t define you.

Being introverted doesn’t mean you are shy: You can still be an excellent communicator with practice.

It’s okay if you spend a lot of time alone, but you must fight to not be isolated: While things that energize most might drain you, we were designed for community and need to find healthy doses of it.

The world is a loud place, and introverts often feel overwhelmed by it: It’s important to remember that the feeling of being overwhelmed comes from thoughts, not people or things.

You might have a higher tendency to ruminate and worry: You need to exercise daily to release those endorphins and depressurize your mind.

Just because you’re introverted doesn’t designate you to be a hermit in the woods: You’re not weak; you just take more time to process human interactions.

Introverts see the world differently and notice things others don’t seem to notice: With a more attentive eye and retrospective mind, use these things to invent, create, and provide.

There is nothing wrong with being nervous, but your nerves should not limit you: Doing things that we fear is a necessity if we want to continue to grow as a human.

Because you’re in your mind more than others, it is critical that you get your mind to a healthy place: There are lots of ways, but begin with deep breathing, steady prayer, time in God’s word, and therapy.

Don’t be ashamed of the real you.

If you had asked me a few years ago whether I enjoyed being alone, I would have laughed it off and said, “Absolutely not. I’m a people person.”

I didn’t know there was another real option.

If I could go back, I would tell my past self that it is okay to be a little more quiet, weird, nervous, and introspective than others.

God made me this way for a reason. While there is always room to improve, we need to leave room to accept.

To all my fellow introverts, what have you found to be most helpful over the years?