Why are Introverts more common now? If you are, there are Strategies…

Some degree of social introversion seems to have become much more common, or at least acknowledged, recently. Why? There are many societal reasons why this might be the case, and we can discuss those. But for those of us who feel this way, at least a little, some of the practical strategies in this article strike me as potentially helpful. It’s written by Jenny Valentish, who is the author of The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House:

“It can be challenging to leave the house when you’re all out of eye contact, but a low social battery doesn’t have to mean a life short on socialising.”

“In my 30s, I’d embarked on a five-year mission to become more outgoing, figuring out which situations I could be comfortable in, and setting myself exercises in social etiquette, empathy and positive reframing. These techniques became second nature by the time I hit my 40s, so I decided to share what I’d learned.

It seems timely. When discussing the book with non-introverts, I realised that social overwhelm has massively broadened in recent years. Whether you blame lockdowns, news-cycle malaise or digital-era disconnect, we’re less likely to commit to an outing.
But I’ve learned it’s possible to engineer low-key hangs that charge an introvert’s social battery – or at least don’t drain it as quickly.”

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/may/29/five-introvert-friendly-ways-to-hang-out

Optional, for those who suspect that they might have “disagreeable…flinty, lonerish tendencies”, here’s an article on whether it’s possible to change your personality and become more extroverted:
https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/apr/14/why-am-i-like-this-disagreeable

Optional but possibly helpful, here are strategies to deal with other people “who talk and talk and talk and talk and talk”:
"Gabby," I said one afternoon over coffee, "I've been feeling a little irritated that whenever we meet up, it's mostly you talking about yourself. We never talk about me.” And I never heard from Gabby again.”
https://annekadet.substack.com/p/talkers

Optional - 'How personality affects our approach to the gym':
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jul/08/extroverts-and-exercise-how-personality-affects-our-approach-to-the-gym

~Michael

p.s. Non-introverts are very welcome at this discussion.