RE: Being Introverted is NOT a Personality Defect in Need of "Fixing!"
Many moons ago, I would go stay at my elderly aunt's summer cabin in Denmark. When she was not there, I'd sometimes be in complete solitude for up to two weeks... not a phone call, not a trip anywhere, even to the shops... and it was perfectly serene and wonderful. But I also know many people for whom that would have been a particularly vile form of torture.
I can "do" groups OK, but I just get to damned exhausted. 2-3 hours, tops, and I am fully cooked. And that includes family gatherings where I already know everyone.
The Internet brings up and interesting point, vis-a-vis introverts. In many cases, Introverts are actually more "talkative" online than extraverts. Many extraverts I've talked to about this find it distressing to not have "visuals" and "body language" to gauge how things are going with the conversation.
That sounds like heaven to me at times. :) Absolute solitude for a wee while would be wonderful. I am fortunate that I am quite strong minded and am not affected by the opinions of others but I feel for those who are not as strong as you or I and who believe there is indeed something 'wrong' with them just because they are introverted. I hope your post has helped someone in this position see that this is not the case!
Thanks again my friend!
Hope you're having an excellent day!