Why Introverts Need a Tribe

Shaped by the Sea exhibition, Talla Na Mara, Isle of Harris, till the end June 2026.

Long Exposure Photography Workshop - Feb 9th-15th 2027, Isle of Harris with myself and Lesley Lintott

Outer Hebrides Photography workshop Feb 23rd - 1st March, Isle of Harris with myself, Adele & Max Warner Tate

Creative Retreat - Words, Art & Wellness, June 4th-10th 2027, Isle of Harris

Writing Retreat at a Coastal Hideaway 31st Oct - Nov 6th 2026 in Pembrokeshire with Sean Tucker

The other day, I stopped in at the island darkroom in Lewis as they had put a call out for photography books. I took my books in and ended up chatting with Danielle about life, creativity, business, art residencies, and everything in between. I had gone in a bit tired after a long morning in Stornoway, but came away enthused, with several ideas of what to do that afternoon and just genuinely happy to have had time to chat to a like-minded creative.

Just two weeks before that, watching the retreat group in Harris that I was leading come together, ladies chatting as they walked down the beach, happily painting around the table in the Leverburgh hub, sharing stories and opening up in the way retreats allow, I realised the same thing.

Although I am fairly far down the scale of introversion and I create best alone with acres of space and quiet around me, I need other creative women to feel inspired, supported and to bounce things off. Without that, there’s a piece missing. I am lucky to have several close friends whom I speak to most days, so I have that as a constant, but it was a lovely addition to speak face-to-face with Danielle and gain a new perspective. And I have always loved attending retreats myself for this reason. Day events work just as well, as long as meeting other creatives comes from a place of openness and real sharing, rather than fearing competition and holding back to protect your own art or business. Supporting someone else’s work or life doesn’t take away from your own, but instead lifts both of you.

There’s a high proportion of creatives who are introverts, and I think that’s part of why this balance matters so much. When Sean Tucker came over to Harris to film my life here, the video he made ended up being called “The Strengths of a Creative Introvert,” and that title has stayed with me. Being an introvert was never about preferring to be alone all the time. I do create and think alone, but it’s almost always sparked by something someone has said, a conversation I’ve had recently, or a chat with a friend. This writing, in fact, was inspired by ten minutes with Danielle.

I think many introverts make the mistake of assuming that because solitude restores us, we don't need community. But the two aren't opposites…. The solitude helps us create, and the community helps us keep going.

In June, Carien Borst and I welcomed seven ladies from around the world to the Isle of Harris. Molly Ella was invited along as well, and she has just released a lovely vlog from the trip, which you can watch here.

We visited the fabulous beaches of the island, swam in the sea, had a sauna session with Saltbox Sauna and visited A.S. Apothecary. We took inspiration from other artists with a private viewing of Mary Morrison’s new exhibition at Hulabhaig, visited Cliff Studios and spent time at Talla Na Mara with coffee and a look at our Shaped by the Sea exhibition.

The slow pace and gentle nature of the week slowly opened up laughter and connection between the women, and watching them walk, swim, chat and eat together was quite emotional for me. I love bringing people together like this, and I see the need for it in a world where connection is so often missing, and at a time in life when many women are struggling with the demands of caring, working, and finding space for creativity.

The way we approach it is to let people breathe first, rather than demand instant creativity. Sometimes it comes naturally, in sketchbooks on the beach or writing back at the lodges during downtime, and sometimes it happens after the event, once they’re home. It brings me back, again, to the importance of gathering and talking.

Words, Art & Wellness Retreat – a Creative wellness retreat on the Outer Hebrides returns to Harris from June 4th to 10th, 2027, and is now open for booking.

Thanks for reading, Margaret x