Facing her bedroom mirror, 26-year-old Margot (all first names have been changed) took a deep breath: "Every time it's the same. I breathe in and tell myself that everything's going to be fine." That evening, the Parisian was anxious about going to a surprise birthday party where she would know no one. "It's not that I don't want to reach out to others, but it takes a lot of effort. I have to be prepared to have the energy sucked out of me," said Margot, who inherited this trait from her mother.

The 20-something art enthusiast would spend her Saturday evenings slumped on her bed, drawing still lifes, if she didn't give herself a good talking to from time to time. Margot is currently studying for a master's degree in political science at the American University in Dubai but doesn't want to isolate herself any further. "You have to push yourself. Being an introvert and going out is quite a balancing act: On the one hand, it requires a huge amount of mental preparation, and on the other, it's essential to avoid closing in on yourself!" Except that there's one golden rule: Margot has to have a week's notice. "Partying is never spontaneous," she said with a chuckle.

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