I, like many other introverts, was in denial for a long time. We live in a world (and attend universities) with extroverted expectations and let’s be honest: Extroversion is not difficult to fake.

Now, what is an introvert? Almost every piece about introversion starts with a few qualifications, such as (1) introversion does not mean shyness, (2) introverts do not dislike people and (3) there is nothing wrong with introverts. An introvert is simply someone who is energized by alone time. Alone time is the new party time.

For me, it took an insanely busy semester to finally come out as an introvert. The free time I used to spend between classes sitting on the mall and reading or taking walks around the campus with my giant headphones is gone. I find that I miss the access to quiet thinking about as much as I miss seeing the sun, because what I thought was a just hobby, I realize was my time to recharge. Nowadays, I have to take that alone time when I get home, much to the surprise (and often chagrin) of the people I can’t spend as much time with for fear of exploding.

Regardless of preference, everyone has the capacity to develop introverted or extroverted traits. For introverts like me, the world requires us to learn extroversion fast. Between practical considerations like public speaking skills, class participation grades or interview behavior and social concerns like making new friends, knowing how to be an extrovert is critical for success. But because extroversion is often the assumed norm, many people never have to learn introverted behaviors.

The qualities of introversion are vastly underrated. Being comfortable alone and being comfortable with other people in silence are important skills for anyone to learn. Why? Because, regardless of what anyone says, alone time and quiet time are the times when the best thinking occurs. And thinking – especially independent thinking – is something everyone should be doing.

Without a doubt, dialogue can be a method of finding new ideas – and many people do think “out loud.” But only thinking that way isn’t enough. Really, really thinking requires focus. Focus requires freedom from distractions, like the constant “white noise” author Don DeLillo bemoans in his book of the same name. Much of today’s white noise in a world that defaults to extroversion is perfectly summed up by David Byrne in the classic Talking Heads song “Psycho Killer,” when he muses, psychotically, in a way only David Byrne can: “You’re talking a lot, but you’re not saying anything.” If no one has to think and it feels weird not to talk, then naturally, words are emptier. They exist for their own sake.

Thinking, too, requires some independence. Being alone forces one to think critically and deeply without having anyone else to fall back on. Having someone to bounce ideas off of is great, but one can find that everywhere. What’s missing is independent thought: One individual really considering something.

I’m not writing this to tell you to become a reclusive philosopher or to stop talking to your friends. But I would encourage you to think for yourself. It couldn’t be easier to completely disengage with deep thinking by engaging in surface-level talking. And I feel like the world would probably benefit from more unique ideas.

There’s plenty to think about: one of the thousand-fold problems facing the world, who you are as a person, how prescient this column is. So embrace your inner introvert! And then embrace some introverts! But then give them, and yourself, some space to think.

Jake DeVirgiliis is a junior government and politics major. He can be reached at devirgiliis@umdbk.com.