I used to think I was an introvert…

Two years ago, I had been working in a bank for nine years. It was all I had ever known and I hated it. I found the work dull, disconnected from my values, and not “me” at all. Because of that, I never wanted to join team socials, speak up in meetings, or contribute beyond the bare minimum. I just wanted to get in, do my job, and get out.

And I told myself that was just my personality. I was an introvert, right?

Fast forward to today, and I run a business that involves meeting new people and talking to clients every single day. And what’s surprising is… I love it!

So what changed?

The environment.

Back then, I thought I didn’t have a voice. In reality, I just didn’t feel heard. I didn’t feel aligned. I was surrounded by people who didn’t share my interests, values, or ambitions and that disconnect convinced me I wasn’t the type to speak up.

But once I started this business, I had to engage. I had to connect. And to my surprise, I discovered that I could. More than that I actually enjoyed it. I felt like my personality had been ‘uncapped’ so to speak.

Since then, I’ve come to realise that what I once saw as a fixed personality trait was actually a reaction to the space I was in. I wasn’t quiet because I was introverted. I was quiet because I had nothing I wanted to say in that environment.

Now, I’m not claiming I’ve turned into the life of the party. I’m not rushing to do karaoke or dance on tables. But I can hold a conversation, I can make an impression, and I do feel confident in my own voice. That’s powerful.

This is something I wish someone had told me years ago. If you feel like you don’t have a voice in your daily life, maybe it’s not you.Maybe it’s just the room you’re in.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you, who challenge you, and who see you and you’ll grow so much faster than you ever thought possible.

That’s all.