8 ways to socialize deeply
Because the social shadows contain social depths
Dearest Reader,
Last week, I sent you a Kindred Letter about an Atlantic magazine article, The Anti-Social Century, that’s getting a lot of attention. As I mentioned, the article cites (in a section called “The Introversion Delusion”)(!) studies showing that people feel happier after socializing with a stranger—introverts included. Such studies are real, and this is an effect that I’ve noticed in my own life—when I push myself to chat, I often feel a burst of happiness.
Yet the article fails to mention other studies showing that people report higher levels of fatigue after socializing. And that for introverts in particular, too much social performance = burnout. Research suggests that acting falsely extroverted can lead to stress, burnout, and cardiovascular disease.
All of this would seem to leave introverts in a pickle: socializing can make us happy—but also over-stimulated or anxious.
But this situation can be a gift—because the social shadows contain social depths. There you can find your kindred spirits, hidden gems, and truest passions.
Today, I’ve collected eight of my favorite ways to socialize deeply: