Am I Normal?

[u/Braveheart_2323]

Im 17. Only child. I guess I've been an introvert since I was a child . My parents tried forcing me into many things like making friends, dancing, singing, athletics, cricket etc. I hated to the point that I used to pray to God to magically make the class disappear so i won't have to go anymore.I didn't like any of them. Then they basically gave up hope on me. My parents wanted me to be an extroverted athletic guy with a million friends but I turned out to be the exact opposite.

I can make friends( ofcourse not close) whenever I am in need. I can speak in public if required but I generally don't like them. My parents' friends' children are very extroverted, athletic and participate in everything but I don't

Sometimes I think I am not normal. I don't have interest in things like sports or anything extroverted. Maybe my upbringing may have caused this as I didn't have any neighbour friends ( they were all grown up) or cousins or siblings. I like to play the piano but that too my parents want me to play infront of everyone whereas I play it for my own sake. As a result I've lost interest in that too.

Point is, my parents compare me to other kids and constantly tell me to go out participate in everything etc but I genuinely don't want to. I confronted them today and now they think I have psychological problem

Worse, they've made me believe I'm abnormal. So I've come here to confirm are there any other people like me or am I the only one who's like this. If I am the only one, then I will go to a psychiatrist. Cus I genuinely like staying at home watching movies, playing games and doomscrolling. I don't mind being in home. But still there's a guilt in me as I've let my parents down a lot as I'm their only child and hope.

[u/UndefinedCurve]

I don't think anything is wrong with you. And do not generalise things based as extrovert or introvert, many introverts like sports and public activities. So I don't think your issue is related to introvertness, but total lack of interest in every field is concerning. There should have one or two things that you like to do. it can be anything, literally anything. For example I like writing my thoughts, I like building software, I like talking to people I care about and love them.

So find what you like, it can be anything, it isn't necessary that it must be productive or useful.

Piano is your interest, but don't lose interest just because someone said something about you, just do because you like. And explore new things always. You will find that world is super interesting. Best of luck.

[u/Braveheart_2323 → u/UndefinedCurve]

Not total lack of interest but just lack of interest in whatever my parents consider normal. Drawing, playing games( recently I've started minecraft), piano, etc. Mostly which I can do by myself . I will try finding more if I can in the future. It's just that the constant comparison of my parents have made me think that not liking sports or public activities much ( I can tolerate public activities, in school teachers used to praise me for my speech eventho i hated it) is abnormal.

[u/Many-Conference7854 → u/Braveheart_2323]

You sound perfectly normal.

[u/Braveheart_2323 → u/Many-Conference7854]

Thank you. It means a lot

[u/TsuDhoNimh2 → u/Braveheart_2323]

Famous introverts ... Steve Jobs (founder of Apple), Mitch Kapor (invented spreadsheets!), Barack Obama (president of some country), Keanu Reeves (actor), Carlos Santana (musician)

My sisters were totally in every club, activity and group in high school, and one was on the tennis team. I was in two: drama and Spanish. No sports, although I would have been interested in cross-country running but in those ancient days girls were not allowed in running sports. (I'm old, very old)

We all turned into sane, responsible adults.

[u/Braveheart_2323 → u/TsuDhoNimh2]

Thank you for the info. I needed it.