We were born and raised with the idea that we need other people in order to be happy. We stop being ourselves for the sake of others. We are afraid of being judged, either because we have a strange laugh or because we don’t keep up with the rhythm of the music, or even because we think others will find our ideas stupid.
Going against what seems to be “normal”, an introspection is made through some questions, in which "being alone" can be seen in another way. We don't need
to be outgoing or to be surrounded by people, we don't need to adapt to feel integrated. We are able to do what
we want alone, or just share what we want with whoever
we feel comfortable. We explore our wants and desires,
for our own sake and not for the sake of others. Above all, it can be argued that we are only ourselves when we are alone and we accept that.
Home. We create a home, our own personal comfort, where we can be happy within our skin, where we are allowed to be ourselves without feeling judge by others. This home that we create, wherever or whomever that
is, that makes us feel safe. Our own personal home.
Inês Pereira
By denying ourselves the reunion with others, we often deny the chance to rejoice. Isolating yourself from the
ones who surround you, will isolate you from that reality, that possibility.
We don’t walk alone. Several walk right beside us. They are the ones to connect with, they are the ones, alongside with ourselves, that will take us to a personal contentment.
We can lead ourselves at the same time as we lead others on that same path, just by connecting with one and other,
by establish relationships.
The sense of “community” is derivative from this chain
of thought. Several people that established relationships
– some deeper than other – because they connected,
one bigger characteristic brought them together.
By identifying with each other, the sense of joy will almost always be present when together.
"RENDEZVOUS" is born from this gestation. "Rendezvous"
as in "meeting point" or "encounter". The meeting point established between myself and others, where we can be together. A conscious commitment between two parties, aiming this “coming together” as an event, something
to be excited about, that soon will provide joy for both
of them.
Joana Cunha
Surviving among extroverts is not easy.
Introverts can easily pass as extroverts and camouflage themselves, depending on the situations. They end
up having defense mechanisms, transforming themselves to “survive” in this society that consists mostly
of extroverts.
However, it wears them out, they get overstimulated quicker, which makes them want to protect themselves
in their corner due to tiredness. This is not a choice,
it is a matter of DNA. They prefer to focus on one thing
at a time, instead of having thousands stimuli at the
same time.
That is why introverts are so effective, even though
still manage to “survive” as extroverts.
Júlia Magalhães
Fear of missing out. It seems rather contradictory that introverts, who thoroughly enjoy their own company,
suffer from such condition.
The truth is the world is at a distance of a scroll.
In a few minutes, what someone posts on their feed
can seem so appealing that makes even a proud introvert question is whole identity. A sudden urge to be more of
an extrovert, to enjoy life to what's said to be "the fullest". The spiral of thoughts about how boring they are and how even the ones they deeply care for are enjoying their lives without them begins. What if something meaningful happens? A "once in a lifetime" situation?
FOMO is simply a constant dilemma between guilt associated with not wanting to be with a group of people but, at the same time, not wanting to miss out.
The thought of going out or planning a group program
is overwhelming, but staying at home is territory
to a constant “what if?”.
Usually a fantasy is created about the moment they're missing, expectations that are naturally unrequited, resulting in disappointment and anxiety.
For introverts, the answer to this dilemma is a matter
of sacrificing and renouncing their time to recharge
in order to take on another extroverted experience.
Margarida Tavares