(Too bad neither of us said anything at the time, but that’s high school.) This realization forced me to recast my whole high school experience and, to an extent, my own self-image in a different light. Here’s the point: Sometimes we imagine that to get attention, we have to compete with extroverts’ glitter and sparkle, and that can be discouraging. Remember how your mom used to tell you that if you just be yourself, the right person will come along?For what is probably not the first time, your mother was right. Extroverts are fireworks—introverts are a fire in the hearth.For instance, extroverts thrive on social interaction, and the more of it the better.My best friend in high school was a pretty, outgoing, talkative extrovert.Shyness and introversion for the longest time were confused, leaving many introverts feeling as if they were somehow lacking the socialization gene that everyone else seemed to blessed with.

You’ll at least then have an ally who will be there for you whatever happens.3. Make sure you actually enjoy hanging out with your date.5. Make sure you get to be on the receiving end of the equation.

Not only did she have gorgeous skin, a cute figure, and shiny brown hair that fell practically to her bottom, she was also flirtatious, opinionated, and quick to laugh.

Boys were irresistibly drawn to her, and it seemed to me that she could get the adoring attention of anyone she wanted.

At parties, she was the center of attention, the one laughing the loudest and flirting the hardest, and enrapturing everyone she met.

In social situations, I felt dumpy, clumsy, and dull next to her.