Today, in college, I was talking to one of my friends about the weekend. She groaned and said “I’ve got to go out tonight, for the fifth night in a row. Might just say I’m ill’. It got me thinking. This generation really has been taught that we have to be ‘out’ every night in order to be fulfilled and happy.
I’ve always valued alone time. I like my own company and my ideal evening would be spent chilling with a book. Most of my peers don’t agree, and, hey, that’s fine. I get that not everyone is an introvert. But what I take issue with is the fact that society has drilled into this generation that we have to be around people, partying, drinking, in order to be seen as ‘normal’.
I guess it’s always been like this. Young people are seen as wild and reckless, and societal structure teaches us this is supposed to change as we grow older. But now, with the omnipotent presence of social media, it is easier than ever to show people our ‘big night out’ and it has become easier to filter out the ‘weirdos and freaks’.
And guess what? It makes people change and try to fit a mould that has already been shaped for them. Looking through instagram and seeing people I know clutching beer bottles and laughing at the latest house party really does make me question myself. Should I have gone? People will think I’m boring now, won’t they? But I know deep down that parties just aren’t my thing. They don’t make me happy and fulfilled, they make me anxious.
Introverts aren’t sat at home plotting our next murder or spying on people from the shadows. Getting passed out drunk every weekend just isn’t our thing. If it is your thing, cool! I’m not here to judge anyone, you can live your life however you like. Just don’t judge us.
Whoever is reading this right now, next time there’s a ‘big night out’ occurring and you’ve either not been invited or simply don’t fancy going, just log off Instagram. I promise it’s worth it. You get an evening to yourself, without the constant feelings of worthlessness that come with ‘missing out’ on a party.
You don’t need the validation of strangers over the Internet. What matters is that the people around you respect you. At the end of the day, anyone can press that little heart button. It takes one second. But earning someone’s respect in real life is worth more.
