In a front page article on shyness, author Bryan Walsh describes the difference between introverts and extroverts, and the unrecognized value of introverts in the workplace and as corporate leaders.
You may find this article gives you some valuable insight into yourself.
My assertion is that an introvert can learn to enjoy more social gatherings. There's nothing wrong with the desire for solitude, to enjoy solitary activities. But I think it's even more enjoyable when it's not a default choice. If it's so uncomfortable and punishing to be around people, and such a relief to be alone, one defaults toward solitude. Why go through all that punishment for such little reward?
Learning the skills- and I had to develop a map when I was teaching classes on shyness because I wasn't any better than anyone else- reduced anxiety and self-consciousness. As we tried the "maps", we learned there were underlying structures, so it didn't seem like everyone else knew the rules of the road except us. There were social frameworks that helped one relax and have a little fun among the human species.
That made solitude even more enjoyable because one had a choice to be alone, not an anxiety decision, because of the stress in going to social gatherings.
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