The parties, the celebrations, the dinners, the gatherings — all the events that fill up the holiday season — oh my! For introverts, this can feel overwhelming when it comes to managing their social battery. Carolyn Cole

Not only am I an introvert who would much rather spend the holidays reading a book — alone — than attending a party, but I’m also a socially anxious introvert. Sometimes, my anxiety gets so intense that leaving the house to attend an event feels almost impossible.

As an introvert, any social gathering with more than four people (sometimes even two or three) is exhausting for me — and family parties are no exception. They can be awkward, too, especially when it comes to family you only see once every few years or when weird family dynamics are at play.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, and every holiday in between — the number of family events can quickly add up. While most families only celebrate a few of these (lucky for us introverts!), if you find yourself drained by the idea of attending a dozen events a year, it’s perfectly okay to skip the ones you’re not into. Nicole Kariuki