I can totally relate to this! One of the most life-changing things I ever did was have this fancy personality test thing done (a Birkman inventory) where they combine the results of your test with individualized counseling to help you meet your goals (most people use this for career-related stuff, e.g. to decide whether to go into sales or engineering). I only did it because the school where my husband teaches was offering it for free, but it turned out to be amazing.

It showed that I was an extreme introvert, and I'll never forget the counselor lady looking me in the eye and saying, "Look. You need alone time like other people need air. Your life will run a lot more smoothly when you factor that into your routines."

Ever since then my husband and I made it a big priority to make sure that I get regular "introvert" time, and it has made SUCH a difference! Of course there are sometimes when it's not possible and my duties as mom of lots of little ones prevent that, but simply recognizing it as a very high priority (and not just something that would be "nice to have" like some of my extroverted friends) has made a lot of things fall into place.

Sorry for the long comment. Just wanted to say that I can totally relate!