I used to be pretty shy but I'm better at that now - I forced myself to deal with it because it can be impairing in certain situations. I am an introvert most certainly because I'm not great in big groups and social situations. I can deal with it, but I do need that alone time and I enjoy being on my own more than most, I suspect. Even sometimes with close friends, I love spending time with them, but then at the end of the day I like to go off on my own and "recuperate". Socially I can handle things fine but I don't like to be the center of attention (nor do I like to be put aside) and I'm not the life of the party, though I have my moments. I have come to a point in life where I can read other people a lot better so I can shake off my shyness and talk easily ( because I realise everyone else can feel awkward at times too) and often when I tell people I'm usually pretty "shy" I often get the response that they don't see me that way at all. With close friends I talk plenty and have no problems relating and interacting.
I'd also like to say that I'm fed up of people making it seem like being introverted is a bad thing and it's better to be outgoing and extroverted. It's not - it's just different. I personally much prefer someone who chooses their words and thinks about what they're saying before it just comes flying out of their mouth. If you listen carefully, some people talk a lot of shit. I prefer the complicity of a mutual silence far more than just talking about the weather and what I do for a living because no-one knows what to talk about. I don't want to be that person who always has an answer to everything and knows everyone. I'd much rather just be myself. /rant
