They very much do get lonely and the “get energy” thing is a silly mnemonic. People don’t operate in fundamentally different ways except for neurodivergence (and even then), it’s just differences along a gradient. It’s probably more accurate to look at it as how much strain is involved in being with company vs alone.

introversion is just more pop psychology stuff the public gets latched onto. it means just as much as when someone says “I need to get my dopamine” or other stuff, aka very little

I used to think I was an introvert because I do enjoy solitude and doing things alone. I flourished when I was quarantined in 2020 because I didn’t have to get up early and could go outside and do tons of stuff whenever. When I came back to school and mostly just had acquaintances and listened to too many podcasts I got lonely. I still love being alone and being around some people is draining, but I’m also energized by being around friends and have worked hard at getting closer friends in the last year, successfully. Now I think very few people are solidly introvert or extrovert, and many of the things that “introverts” claim to be unique for aren’t that unique. I do know a couple solid extroverts ig. My (probably) autistic brother’s greatest fear seems to be doing anything alone. Some people look lonely, but aren’t receptive if you try to reach out, so idk what’s up with them.

Introverts are the most likely to be lonely tbh. It’s less that they receive energy by being alone but rather that the “social battery” recharges when alone. It has nothing to do with the need of human interaction.

Wanting to make dinner and being physically hungry are two different sensations. I can absolutely be hungry but not have the energy to make dinner. In the same way, I can be in need of social interaction while still not having the drive to go out and do it.

I do at times, but i’ve gotten used to it enough that i’d rather just put up with it than face the alternative.