Jessica Pan: The Introvert's Guide to Socialising

In this episode, Jessica Pan discusses her book 'Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come' and her journey of embracing extroversion. As we discuss on the show, Jessica is almost the opposite to me – she’s an introvert who learnt to be more extraverted, whereas I started exploring Alonement as a means of dealing with my fear, as an extrovert, of being alone. She tells me about her journey to embrace solo travel, socialising with strangers and making new friends, all with the help of her 'extrovert mentors'. What this following episode touches on is the importance of balance and choice around how we spend our alone time, plus how learning to integrate more connection in your life can help you fall back in love with your solitude. We also touch on the loneliness of big cities, particularly London, and how Jessica has managed to curate her own tiny village within the UK capital. Jessica also talks about starting her Substack newsletter, It'll Be Fun, They Said, based on part-time job working in a local independent bookshop. Finally, she shares her favourite kinds of alone time, which involves reading by the ocean and journaling in a cafe.

Takeaways

Embracing alone time can be a luxurious and fulfilling experience when it is a choice.
Working in a bookshop can be enchanting and provide opportunities for meaningful connections with customers.
Journaling is a valuable tool for self-reflection and understanding one's thoughts and feelings.
Solo travel can be challenging but can also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
Having extrovert mentors can provide guidance and support in navigating social situations.

Chapters