See, if it wasn't for message boards I would unbelievably lonely. When the tests asked me if I could live as a hermit I answered yes, but only because I no longer trust people, if I still had my former trust and optimism and if I had answered that question 10yrs ago, I would have said no way.
I find too much company over very long periods to be draining, and need time alone, but when I still wanted friends I couldn't go too long without company, I would always be out socialising, I mean always.
I really wonder if my current introversion is based more on my islamic marriage in which introversion is a muslim womans expected attitude. Prior to that it was very rare that I chose to be alone, even if it meant hanging out with people that I found annoying just as long as I was with people doing stuff.
Being alone now is because I just don't like people as much anymore, yet I still constantly reach out across the net for contact.
What do you think?
EDIT: I score 57% introversion if that helps.
I think:
Humans are social beings. Although it's possible to score 100% I on a personality test, I would hypothesize that anyone who is TRULY 100% introverted is clinically crazy. (And that goes the same for 100% E)
It's also been my experience that humans need meaningful exchange... even moreso if you're NF, I'd bet. (NFs cannot not be personal? PUMII?)
I feel the need for meaningful exchange, when I don't get it I get lonely. And I'm an INT.
I think there may be a feminine aspect, as well. I really think a female needs this more than males. So, even a very introverted female (especially the NFs) would need meaningful exchange.
I don't think I can answer if you're an I or E, but I do think regardless you need to take the risks and get out there and find some friends. You don't need huge amounts, but you need real friends. I've done the "hole up and avoid social contact" thing for a full year (just choosing not to see my friends, to the point when no one contacted me b/c I'd just say I was "busy") and in retrospect, I was mildly depressed because of it.
My whole life was stagnated because I wasn't meaningfully interacting with others. You need this--go out and do it.
Yeah, you might get burned again.
But I don't think you can risk not doing this... I'd venture to guess that by choosing to not get burned, in the long run it's far more painful to be lonely.
(I also think loneliness is pretty common among females in general... even extraverted ones!)
Your life will be more full if you go out and make friends again.