Being Quiet by Guadalupe

Being Quiet by Guadalupe - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

I have always been the type of person who needs others to come to me first in order for a friendship to begin. Starting conversations with new people has never come naturally to me, and for a long time, I viewed that as a weakness. Most of my current friendships began because someone else reached out and made the effort to talk first. I used to wonder how something that came so naturally to others was so difficult for me to do.
The moment that I discovered it was actually a strength took time. I began noticing a pattern in my friendships and relationships. While I didn't have the largest group of friends, the ones that I did have were much more meaningful and long lasting. The people who approached me felt comfortable opening up quickly and the speed of which our conversations moved was crazy. I realized that my more quiet nature made me a good listener. That sounds very simple, but not everyone knows how to properly listen to someone. This realization changed the way that I compared myself to others and how I viewed myself as a person. I stopped comparing my social skills to others who were able to talk to anyone. I grew to understand that my strength was more about connection. I pay attention to what people say and remember even the smallest of details. I am able to respond more thoughtfully. These qualities made my friendships much more real and interconnected over time. I was able to create safe spaces for those around me.
Additionally, by understanding this as a strength, it grew my confidence. Once I accepted that I didn't need to be the loudest person in the room in order for people to want to be my friend, I felt less pressure to change who I was as a person. It made social situations less awkward and embarrassing for me. It helped me grow the confidence to speak up.
This newfound strength also influenced me. I was able to contribute by listening first and then responding secondly. I am able to understand people's different perspectives before sharing my thoughts. I have learned that being a leader does not always mean being loud, but rather being someone dependable and observant. Discovering that me being quiet was a strength rather than a weakness changed the way i see myself. It taught me that growing sometimes means embracing who you are. I feel more confident in my own skin. It also taught me that strengths are able to come in many different forms, even if you don't see them physically.