Adventure Fourteen: Social Sponge

I've always been known as the shy kid. I'm timid upon meeting new people, I'm not one to speak up much in my classes, I usually just keep to myself. It's nothing personal, I'm just quiet by nature.

It's kind of ironic, because everyone in my family and close group of friends is quite the opposite. They're all incredibly bubbly and outgoing, happy to make conversation with just about everyone. I usually stand amongst them and go without saying too much, making myself the first person people forget was even present for the conversation. (Totally fair, by the way.)

But please allow me to explain by shyness and quiet nature. It's not because I don't like making conversation. It's not that I hate people. It's not that I don't have anything to say or contribute.

It's because while everyone is conversing and engaging in the social atmosphere, I'm playing my role as a social sponge.

I was given the nickname "social sponge" by some of my close friends here at Mizzou. I'm often teased for being so quiet and shy amongst a lively and bubbly crew of homies. I'm always present for the jokes and conversations, but don't usually chime in unless I feel incredibly compelled to do so. Sometimes it feels kind of strange, but I usually like the peace of staying quiet.

As a social sponge, I take comfort in enjoy the company of others without speaking up. I learn so much more about a person from their energy and body language than I do from their words. I pick up on certain cues about the relationship between people based on how they interact with one another. I read people's facial expressions to get a better idea of how they feel about certain people, places, things or ideas that are the topic of discussion. Being a social sponge allows me to absorb it all and internalize it however I please.

Yes, sometimes this life I've chosen (in the most dramatic way of putting) feels like a self-inflicted mute button, and I fear people will completely (not with ill-intent I hope) forget my presence. But I've found that I'm able to grow much more through what I take in from others and their energy than through awkward and seemingly forced conversation.