I'm actually quite antisocial for a "xenial", and most of my online communication is either related to business, school, or special interests. Influencers typically (note I said typically, not all) are either marketing majors and/or highly social extroverts with large social networks backing them. I have yet to hear of an artistic photographer influencing. Usually influencers start out with marketing and then get into photography to improve their photography skills. It's not a job I envy, at all, though - unless you just have the natural knack for it and gain a huge following, the financial gain is almost zilch. Especially when you factor in the middle man companies, that work directly between the advertisers and the influencers. It's very much like doing PPC advertising.
Social photography trips sound horrifying to me. Part of the beauty of photography or any artistic endeavor for me is getting out alone with myself to take my own pace and time to make my own discoveries.
You're not as unusual as you think. Most artists I know like to be alone to create.. not just photographers, and not just older people, and not just aspies.
Thanks... I know what you mean