Voices of Introverts: Navigating Social Spaces and Solitude

A vox pop feature in Frankie magazine collects perspectives from self-identified introverts on how they navigate social interactions and solitude. Contributors include Hannah, a retail worker who uses headphones and a resting-bitch face to deter strangers; Alex, a writer who brings a book as armor and prefers solo theater visits; Ewan, a fundraising coordinator who avoids free sample givers in Coles and Woolworths; Eliza, a multi-disciplinary creative who dislikes being asked if she's okay at parties; Jules, a journalist who weaponizes social awkwardness to escape unwanted conversations; Dominik, an actor, writer, and model who has been called a snob for being quiet; Ella, a writer who feels perceived as stand-offish; Kitiya, a craft artist who develops a stage persona online; and Carla, a marketing rep who struggles with eye contact. The piece explores themes of deterring strangers, quietly taking up space, and being perceived by others.