When I am offered the option, I always get a room to myself when attending a conference, an event or retreat.
It's an introvert survival strategy.
Apart from the event itself, there's lots of enforced or expected socialising: at breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the bar or café. In little areas where conversation springs up.
And yes, I know that networking is part of the game but I'm better at it when I manage my energy.
At big busy events, my room is my sanctuary - a sanctuary that wouldn't exist if I agreed to share with a colleague or total stranger.
It's also a way to grab some alone time at a moment's notice. I can "get something from my room" any time I need an introvert recharge break.
When I get those breaks, I can show up and network with the best of them, being very intentional and who I talk to (but that's another story.)
At the end of the day, it's back to my sanctuary to wind down, usually leaving some of my more extroverted colleagues still partying - and that's ok.
My fellow Introverts, does this sound familiar? How do you manage your energy at big, busy events?
Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism educator, author of I’m Tired of Racism, and founder of the SHHARE anti-racism community and of Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter, which provides tools and lived experiences to fuel systemic change. A seasoned professional writer and journalist, she leverages over 30 years of experience to mentor introverted leaders, and is co-founder and co-host of the Introvert Sisters Podcast. Her recent work focuses on helping Black and Global Majority women achieve high-impact visibility and professional influence without the exhaustion of performing extroversion.
© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2026. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).