Plight of the Introvert Part 1: To Talk or Not to Talk?

I don't think I have to tell anyone that I am a quiet person. It is only in small groups, or one-on-one, that I really talk much at all, and I think only a few could say that I am in any way talkative in their company with any frequency. Yet even though I prefer to listen, to allow others to drive the conversation, I find myself growing discontent when not provided ample opportunity to talk with someone on a consistent basis.

I have a friend with whom I have gone hiking on a consistent basis for a time, a kindred spirit with similar upbringing and outlook on many things. Various circumstances have kept us from hiking or spending any time together for a couple weeks, and I am realizing I miss it.

My writing partner, with whom I discuss writing and share my work, has been busy preparing for her wedding, thus preventing us from being able to meet up and write/nerd out/catch up. I miss it.

One of my closest friends, with whom I discuss music and literature and *gasp* actually enjoy talking politics with, lives too far away for easy or frequent visits. I always look forward to our time together, however far between it might be.

My sister and brother-in-law have a 10-month-old baby girl who has completely restructured their lives, as children usually do. I still get to see them, but baby schedules (among other things) have complicated and limited that possibility to a noticeable degree. (PS: I adore my niece, so no complaints there!)

I miss all of these, and I miss the conversations. Certainly a significant portion of this is missing the connections, the people themselves, but I recognize that readily and require no introspection to come to such a conclusion.

What I am noticing though is a desire to speak, to converse, that has always felt a bit contrary to my introverted nature (or else has not been a significant need I was aware of because the need was being met). Though when I think about it, it shouldn't seem as foreign as it seems.

These are all people I am comfortable with (though these are not all of the people I am comfortable with). I can talk freely with them. I can be open with them. Ultimately- and this is what I have recently been realizing- I can easily get out of my own head with them. They are an escape from the confines of my own mind. This is achieved primarily by talking with them (though sometimes just by being with them), and I get comfortable coming out of my shell enough to actually desire voicing my thoughts.

So for the loved ones I mentioned, as well as those I did not, thank you for the conversation. In the future, please encourage me to talk even more, if only by asking me questions or providing a topic to discuss (my greatest weakness in conversation). I may prefer to listen, but I am better recognizing that I need to be a part of the conversation as well.