I'm naturally introverted but don't have to be. As a one-time improv actor, I overcame some of the shyness and seemed outgoing to many who quickly found out I was the opposite offstage. It bugged me too, but past a certain point it seemed my deep-seated fear of people couldn't be overcome. My behaviour created a vicious want/don't want cycle.
While I appreciate my need for solitude, I also value going the other way with people and situations I think I might be comfortable with and/or would find good rapport with. But it seems I can only successfully reach out so far before I withdraw into my fine-tuned bubble. Sometimes I feel like I might be the friendliest hermit on the planet--lots seem to like me but I also have difficulty accepting that and attempts to establish rapport inevitably fizzle. The result is almost invariably another fade-out.

I used to listen to the inner critic's take that see, I really am the bad person I was raised to believe I was. I've stopped listening, and all I've decided is to keep being my best, minus expectations, and just be me.