While not limited to introverts, the relief of cancelled plans is a well-established trope of the personality type. But if a social occasion demands your attendance, it makes sense to be prepared. “It’s a good idea to keep your calendar clear for a few days before and after the event, to store up energy and then recover,” says Dembling, who is herself an introvert. “Events like this can take a lot out of introverts, so we need a plan to take care of ourselves. I’ve been known to set my alarm for an ungodly early hour to have a little quiet awake time if I know I have a busy, people-intensive, all-day schedule ahead.”

Red carpets may not be Cillian Murphy’s idea of a good time, but he styled it out in a custom Versace tux to collect his Oscar, a Gatsby-esque SAINT LAURENT tux at the Golden Globes or with pure movie-star class in a black-on-black ZEGNA suit at the Critics Choice Awards. What you wear matters, Dembling says. “You want to feel powerful, and you want to be comfortable. Since your brain is going to be overloaded, you want the rest of you to feel as right as possible.” So, make a statement, but nothing that’s going to bug you. “Avoid anything you have to tug or tweak or keep re-tucking,” Dembling says.

Broadly speaking, extroverts get their energy from social interaction, while introverts get a charge out of alone time. But this doesn’t mean introverts can’t turn up for the big games. Introverts tend to be good listeners, ask questions and form tighter bonds with a small friendship group. Use these powers to your advantage, says Ms Jessica Pan, a journalist and introvert.

“The best way to cope in social situations is to try to engage in deeper conversation with people who genuinely interest you,” Pan says. “Vapid small talk with people you don’t even like is why introverts hate socialising. But if you can find interesting topics with people you want to engage with, time will fly by.”

It’s good for you, too. Research shows that introverts experience a greater boost in feelings of social connectedness via intimate conversations than extroverts do.

Pan spent a year trying to be more extroverted for her book, Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come. One of the most valuable lessons she learnt from the project was how good people were.

“People were so much kinder than I expected,” she says. “Introverts tend to be in their heads a lot and we can catastrophise, but when you talk to strangers or do things like stand-up comedy, the reality is much less than scary than anything you’re imagining in your head. Overall, people want to help you.”

Making a speech? Remember the audience is there to love you, Dembling says. “If you act comfortable and relaxed, then they will be, too.”

You’ve decided not to cancel plans. Next up: identify what you want to get out of the event, Goodman says. “Be specific. Distil what’s meaningful to you,” she advises. “You may be dreading the event, but what’s something about it that matters to you? Try this thought exercise: If you were free of anxiety, what part of the event would you be most excited about?”

Murphy was in the spotlight this awards season because he delivered a five-star performance in one of the movies of the past year. But all of us could bring out the thespian in us to navigate these big events. “I try to shut down my busy, ruminating, introvert brain and just play at being an extrovert for as long as necessary,” Dembling says.

Make it quick and clean. “Try: ‘I’m out, thank you so much, I had a wonderful time,’” Dembling says. “And don’t let anyone tell you that the party will fall on its face without your presence.”