How To Correct Your Introvert

New things are scary. Change is scary. And Busy Town is a book series written by Richard Scarry.

*Artist Re-creation

But the worst thing of all out of all that is being corrected in public. Seriously, that is a terrible idea. Publicly shaming your introverted, anxiety ridden child is the absolute best way to insure that they hate you and will probably never ever forgive you because we put ourselves to sleep at night by replaying our worst memories. The panic attack causes us to pass out.

The Horror!

By no means am I saying don't correct me if I'm wrong. That would be stupid. I'm never wrong so corrections aren't needed.

Bother me again while I'm reading,  I dare you.

I have this one experience from 10th grade English. It was the only time I have pleaded to be switched out of the class and placed in another. She was a terrible woman and not just for the reason I'm about to mention.

We were told that we were to get out a book or something equally as quiet while she spoke to each individual person about the last project we had to do. Fine, no problem, best class ever right? I'm really into my book when (I have wonderful selective hearing that allows me to drown out the inane chatter of other classmates and their social habits) I hear my teacher shouting at me to

Keep in mind this was screamed across the room.

Holy Crap! What'd I do? I didn't hear her call me the last time. Written  up? I don't get in trouble. I am the good girl who sits in the back and hands work in on time and doesn't talk. What will my parents think? Oh God! What are you doing? Are those tears? Are you actually going to start crying in front of everybody? What a stupid child you are? Can't even take a little raised voice can you? No because being yelled at is a new experience. Are they staring? Why is everyone staring? Oh crap. I'm being laughed at aren't I? I have to go. I'm going to be sick.

Which I was. I barely made it to the bathroom in time. It was terrible. And I did wind up getting detention for ridiculous and over exaggerated behavior. And I learned that detention was a wonderful place full of quiet and peacefulness until the first bell rang for the day. I went back for the rest of the year.

But that is a pretty extreme example. It's really the little things. Things that I'm not in trouble at all for or things I'm new at and am just learning. I never expect to be perfect at anything I try. Again, that would be stupid. But what I hate is being told something and not grasping it the first time around. I think that's why math is so hard for me. I didn't get it when it was being explained and I'm too embarrassed/nervous to ask for a repeat.

Yep that makes sense. It is the only logical explanation. 

Especially if it's something I am already supposed to know but for whatever reason didn't do it right or was off. I already know I made a mistake. Please don't say it in front of others. Pull me over to the side and explain. I welcome the constructive criticism, really I do.