The Pressure to Perform: Social Media, Introverts, and the Art of Authentic Expression

A few days ago, I was asked to record a video of myself speaking. It wasn’t a big request - just a simple clip. But the moment I imagined looking into a camera and talking, I felt an immediate resistance. A familiar discomfort settled in, one that I’ve felt many times before.

It’s not that I don’t have anything to say. I’ve spoken in small groups and had deep, meaningful conversations where people truly listen. I’ve written articles, created art, and expressed myself in so many ways. But the idea of standing in front of a camera and speaking… it feels unnatural. Forced.

And yet, I couldn’t shake the thought: Am I holding myself back? Is this something I should push through?

If you’re an introvert (or a neurodivergent INFJ like myself), you might have felt this too - that subtle but constant pressure to be more “seen,” to show up in a way that the world seems to demand, to “convert” to extroversion. But does success really require us to perform? Or is there another way?

The Social Media Visibility Trap

Social media is designed for extroverted expression. The loudest voices, the most visible personalities, the ones who thrive in front of a camera - they get the most attention. The algorithms reward those who are constantly “on,” engaging, and performing.

For introverts, this can feel suffocating. The expectation isn’t just to create; it’s to be a brand, a personality, a storyteller who speaks directly to the camera. And if you don’t? If you prefer quiet forms of expression, like writing or visual storytelling? It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind, like your work won’t reach people unless you push yourself to be someone you’re not.

But here’s the thing: Visibility does not require personal exposure.

I know this because my work has been seen by millions of people - without me ever stepping into the spotlight.

The Myth of the “Blocked Throat Chakra”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that I have a “blocked throat chakra” just because I don’t enjoy speaking on camera. As if verbal expression is the only valid way to communicate.

But I express myself all the time - through my art, my writing, my blog, my presence. Through the quiet but powerful ways I share my vision with the world. And the reach of my work speaks for itself.

Before becoming an independent artist, I worked in Visual Effects for film. My work was seen by millions in some of the biggest movies and TV shows. I even worked on the final scene of Game of Thrones, an episode watched by nearly 19 million people on its premiere night alone. And yet, my name was just one among hundreds in the credits. That never mattered to me. My work was seen, even if I wasn’t.

Later, I started creating meditation visuals for YouTubers and digital platforms, uploading them to Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. I didn’t promote them. I didn’t have a massive audience. And yet, my videos started appearing on meditation channels with millions of views. People were experiencing my art, my creations, my energy - without ever knowing my face or hearing my voice.

If my throat chakra was “blocked,” how did my work reach so many people? Maybe the issue isn’t about energy, but about the narrow way we define expression.

Embracing Alternative Forms of Expression

The truth is, there isn’t one “right” way to show up in the world. If speaking on camera doesn’t feel right for you, there are so many other ways to share your "voice":

Silent videos with captions – You can capture your world without saying a word. Let the visuals tell the story.

Voiceovers instead of live speaking – If writing your thoughts comes more naturally, you can record them later instead of speaking on the spot.

Blog posts and written storytelling – Some of the most influential artists in history were writers, not speakers.

Letting art speak for itself – Sometimes, words aren’t needed. Your work carries your essence, even in silence. We've all heard the expression "a picture speaks a thousand words".

And you know what? Some of the world’s most famous artists have embraced this.

• Banksy remains anonymous, yet their art is known worldwide.

• Daft Punk built an entire career behind helmets, proving that music doesn’t need a face to be powerful.

• Deadmau5, Sia, and even The Gorillaz all created massive audiences while staying hidden behind their art.

They weren’t less seen because they didn’t show their faces. If anything, they became more iconic by staying true to themselves.

You Are Enough

Being brave doesn’t mean being loud. Being successful doesn’t mean being an extrovert.

You don’t need to perform to be worthy. You don’t need to force yourself into spaces that don’t feel right. Your art, your words, your quiet presence - they already matter. They already make an impact.

So to my fellow introverts, to the artists who feel like they should be more “seen” but don’t want to be: You don’t have to change yourself to succeed. Your work is enough. You are enough - exactly as you are.

And remember, what truly matters is being seen in our personal lives, by those who love and cherish us. There’s a world of difference between the need to be seen, heard, and understood by the people we hold dear, and the pressure to be visible to the public. Genuine connection with loved ones fills us in ways social media validation never can.