this is very sensible advice. I'm an introvert too - and yes while I like to be alone, I also like to be with people, and sometimes I just want to be there with them but not actually engaged.....and yes, we introverts are only a small part of the population (at least in Western societies) because extroversion is valued. Kids are brought up to be outgoing and friendly, and if it does not come naturally it can be really hard. However, if you lived in Japan, you would fit right in. There, people are trained to be quiet and unobtrusive; introverts are more highly valued and extroverts are the ones who feel different .

I have heard it explained in terms of energy - extroverts gain energy from being with other people but introverts lose it. We introverts need alone time to recharge. Extroverts need people time to recharge because they lose energy when they are by themselves. So if you feel you need alone time, it is probably because you need to re-energise yourself .