Franco Amati, I can't clap enough times! What an astute breakdown of the assumptions about being social. Some people described me as aloof and antisocial when I was growing up - they meant asocial!

Although I have since gained more confidence and ability to be bubbly and succeed socially, I still love being alone the bulk of the time, being a social butterfly only in short bursts. It's true there are negative aspects to socializing which can be especially noticable to us extreme introverts - the comparisons, the competitiveness, the gossip... I feel more at home in my internal world of solitude, or communing 1-on-1 with a kindred spirit, where everything feels more equal, honest, and peaceful.

Thank you for helping me reflect on matters of socializing and introversion. What an amazing piece.