Many people who don't know me ( Blaz Kos) that well or who only know my work from the media and speaking on a stage think that I'm a natural born extrovert - outgoing, optimistic, talkative, adventurous and always in action. The reality is much different, with me being an extreme introvert.
There’s nothing wrong with being an introvert. If you are emotionally unstable, being an introvert can become the biggest enemy of your progress in life. There’s a big difference between being an introvert and being afraid of public speaking, meeting people and speaking up when necessary. Social anxiety is not introversion, it’s a fear you must face and overcome.
Throughout college, I was the "shy girl." I often wondered why it was hard for me to open up to strangers and attend social events after a long day at school. But I was so used to being labeled as "shy" that I never thought of changing it-it was just my identity.
The environment has a large effect on personality and mental health. However, genetics may drive us to extract aspects of the environment that match our actual predispositions.
Genes and the environment work together as a dynamic system. Because of that, you can always change it through psychological therapies that can teach you techniques to cope.
Shyness in itself is quite common and normal, but it can become a problem if it develops into social anxiety where you avoid things that need to be done. You might not be able to talk to people at work or have difficulties socializing.