Shy

"Oh she's just shy."

   I've gotten that many times. It's usually a statement made from someone who thinks they know me to someone else. It's an excuse as to why I'm not saying much.
I keep trying to define the word shy. It's definitely not a compliment, so does that make it an insult? I'm starting to think so. It's not as obvious as an insult like "oh she's overweight." or "they're such a jerk." Still it doesn't do any good or encourage anyone. So what is the point in saying it? No one has to make an excuse for me not being social enough.

    This problem has followed me for a long time. Back in kindergarten, The Powerpuff Girls were really popular with all the girls. My friends and I used to play that we were them as recess. I remember one day we were lining up after recess and overheard my friends trying to decide who was going to play which character the next day. One girl suggested I be Bubbles..and the other said "no...she doesn't have enough spirit." If you've never seen the show- Bubbles is the really happy, ditzy, bubbly one. I know this was only something a five year old said, but strangely I haven't forgotten about it. Not because I'm still angry to this day but because it stood out to me so much. According to the world I don't have much spirit and I'm shy.  It doesn't sound like things are going too well for me.

"Quiet people have the loudest minds." - Stephen Hawking

   I came across this quote recently and I think it's true. Maybe not true for every single person who is considered quite but still. Everybody is different. Not everyone can be loud and obnoxious. Everybody is different!  And that's good! Not to say that I don't dislike people who are talkative.
No one needs to be permanently labeled as shy. You will get into so many conversation for the rest of your life. Sometimes you just don't have anything to say in a particular conversation or to certain people. That's fine. At the least you can be considered a good listener- and that is valuable.