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Introverts, find your voice -- and let it be heard!

Woman in silence

Introverts are, by their very nature, unassuming. 

The last thing we want to do is draw attention to ourselves, whether it be promoting our accomplishments at work in hopes of landing a promotion, talking up our best traits on a blind date, or speaking up when on the receiving end of someone's unseemly behavior.

But finding our inner voice is imperative. We must never let anyone -- and that includes ourselves -- silence it.

It doesn't mean you have to turn surly, treating others like they're beneath you. 

But you should never let yourself become anyone's doormat either. You're your own chief advocate. If you don't stand up for yourself, no one will. 

Never feel too embarrassed or guilty to speak honestly and respectfully in support of your goals, values, and beliefs. 

I'm not saying you need to become a masterful public speaker, or that you should pretend to be a Know-It-All. 

Instead, what I'm saying is never to let anyone suppress your voice. You have just as much of a right as anyone to express your feelings, to air your grievances. 

If you let others stifle your voice, you will never feel a real sense of contentment in your life. Something will always feel like it's missing because you're living in fear of losing other people's approval. 

But the only validation you need is your own. If speaking your mind causes some people to exit your life, so be it. 

You don't want to look back on your life many years from now and lament the fact that you didn't speak up when it counted most. 

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