Welcome to the home page of my advice column for introverts.
I answer questions online about about living and working as an introvert.
I’m answering questions occasionally and I do love to hear from you. (Contact options listed below.)
In the past it was a syndicated advice column for introverts on Huffington Post and Quiet Revolution and you can find those below. (I am open to other advice column opportunities as relates to introverts and highly sensitive people and our work in the world.)
For now, I answer questions on my blog, my newsletter, and sometimes via Facebook video.
You can find featured selections that came from real questions via the links below.
Video advice example:
Sampling of my advice column answers:
Career questions:
- What if you don’t know what you want?
- What are the best careers for introverts, HSPs, and other sensitive souls?
- What if my career ideas feel impossible?
- How do I answer “What do you do?” when it’s complicated?
- Informational Interviews for Introverts
- “Am I too old for a career change?” or “Am I too young to do this?”
- Wrong field? wrong job? is it me?
Self-employment/Business questions:
- Are there other ways to market my business that are more consistent with being an introvert?
- Why do I get so tongue-tied when talking about my work?
- How can it be easier to create the dreaded writing for my new website?
Life, Socializing, and Relationships questions:
- Managing the Whirlwind of Feelings in a Whirlwind World
- Is it shyness or introversion? Are they connected?
- I’m tired of people asking me “Why are you so quiet?” (A hot topic.)
- How can I deal with the drain of social events?
- How am I supposed to put myself out there when I’m too introverted for that?
- What to do when you don’t like “small talk.”
- Do I have to become extroverted to be confident?
My syndicated advice columns:
You can read my work advice column for introverts that has appeared on Quiet Revolution and Huffington Post via this link, where you’ll find links to my articles:
Val Nelson on Quiet Revolution
Featured Work Advice Columns for Introverts:
- Meet Val Nelson, Our Career and Business Expert
- “How Do I Cope with a Conflict at Work?”
- “I’m Uncomfortable with Online Discussions.”
- “How Do I Handle My Bosses’ Gossiping?”
- “Introverts Often Hate Meetings. Here’s Why and What To Do.”
- “How Do I Handle a Tricky Conversation?”
- “Do I Need to Be an Extrovert to be a Good Mentor?”
- “Do I have to suck it up for online marketing?”
Stay Informed
If you want to hear when new articles are published, be sure to sign up for my emailed updates.
How To Send Questions
You can send questions via my Contact form. (Please indicate “Advice Column” in your note.)
You can also ask questions and get direct answers from me and other introverts in my Facebook group for introverts.
Typical Topics You Can Ask Me About
Anything ringing a bell for you personally?
- Career direction that aligns with who you are
- Marketing for introverts
- Career transition (e.g., managing your energy, adjusting to a new workplace)
- Self-employment decisions and taking the leap
- Making your business more aligned with your heart and wallet
- Speaking up with clients (about money and time limits)
- Tricky conversations (asking for different work conditions, saying “no”)
- Creating introvert-friendly meetings
- Balance and self-care (overworking, breathing, alone time)
- Managing over-thinking and perfectionism
- Public speaking and giving presentations
- Being an agent of change when you hate the spotlight
- How not to get trapped listening to “talkers”
- Shy moment remedies
