Written by an 18 yr. old, US male. Probably an introvert... What type do you think that he is?
"Music has had a huge impact on my life in several ways. It has helped me deal with many stresses that came to me in the course of my life. The main stressor that really affected my life was the lack of stability in my living situation.
As a young child all the way to my teen years, I could never really rely on living in one place, going to one school, or keeping the same friends for more than six-months to a year. Oddly, I was never sure of the exact reason for these moves, as they always changed and seemed unclear to me, but I gather it was due to my father’s job or maybe our financial situation at the time.
The matter was though, it was causing me to isolate myself from other people because I figured I would just have to be pulled away again and be hurt; a sort of dissasociation I placed on myself. I also began to lack commitment to school and my grades began to sink.
Then I found something new and once unappreciated by me: music. It opened my eyes, helped me identify myself, and gave me an outlet to vent through. I soon got into rock music and became very fascinated by the guitar. I picked up lessons and practiced everyday. I could identify with where the music was coming from and idolized bands like Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Tool and finally felt that I could get out my angst in a way that was productive. I started to meet other people who were interested in the same kinds of bands I was into and played similar musical instruments as me.
As I took on my new interests and hobby, I began to be more open as I was having a better time and outlook on things, I believe. My grades got a little better and I became generally happier. When I began high school, I stayed in the same one for the whole time, which I’m sure helped to a degree. Friends and interests were what I gained, and inhibitions were what I lost."