The life of an introvert...

Often people say, "you should try to be slightly more 'extrovertish'". It's easy for them to say. Being an introvert is much more complicated than just being shy. Ofcourse, the basic root is shyness but there is a lot more involved in a person's behaviour as an introvert.
"Oh my God! That guy is looking at me! What must he be thinking? Does he expect me to say anything? Do I look awful? Is my hair too messy? Are there too many wrinkles on my shirt? Are my shoes dirty? Should I just walk away? Should I look back at him or avoid his gaze? Ahhh!!!"
That is the general train of thought that goes through an introvert's mind each and every time a person does so much as look at them! Imagine how mentally tiring a day at the mall must be!
Being an introvert roots from being insecure and having low self esteem. People who are very secure about themselves, specially their appearances, are mostly extroverts. They like talking to people, interacting, socialising, because they know that the opposite person is enjoying their company. For an introvert, however, it isn't easy to even approach a person. The lack of self esteem makes them think that it would be better if they just kept to themselves because they are too boring or too ugly to be in the presence of confident people so they just prefer staying out of the social scene.
Ofcourse this is no hard and fast rule, it's just something I have come to notice in the people around me and even in myself to some extent. There are even people out there who prefer not socialising because they think that they themselves are their best company. So, if you are an extrovert, the next time you see a person who looks unconfident, approach them and make them feel comfortable, it'll work much better than saying "you should try to be slightly more 'extrovertish'".