The use of contractions

Recently someone who was critiquing my work informed me that I needed to use more contractions. I have thought about that for a while. I am trying to finish a short story I am about to post; trying to use them, and have come to the conclusion that I simply do not like them. It is not my voice! For a reason that completely eludes me, I find them distasteful!

It would be like my speaking in a Texas drawl and swearing. While there is certainly nothing wrong with the Texas drawl, or not much wrong with colorful language in very measured use, it is just not me.

I have thought a lot about this and I just feel like perhaps I may be from another time and place. I just don't know what I will do if I must use contractions. Can the consciousness from another time and culture carry through down through the ages?

Must I use contractions, really?