trying a new thing...being fake.

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I'm tired of peope thinking I'm a b***h or an a-hole when I have a shut down. People think I don't want to talk to them because I'm mean or anti social. I don't consider myself anti social or mean. I like people and enjoy being around them. I still get exhausted by doing this though. After socializing a lot I need a few days off. By days off, I mean I get very quiet and reserved and stop making eye contact for a few days. People are usually very confused by this and think that I'm moody.

So I'm going to try to just be as fake as possible. I'm going to start smiling at people even though I feel no inclination to smile. I'm going to pretend that nothing's wrong. I don't know if it will work. We'll see.

good luck! report back regularly. I have tried at different times to change this aspect of my personality but I always messed it up somehow, even when I tried to be what other people wanted.

Well, you clearly haven't listened to Shadows Collide With People by John Frusciante

Don't know that would make YOU happier, but it does seem to work for those with whom you interact (in my experience at least). Smiling/eye contact/interacting in general are all forced for me. I think I put on a decent show.

bad idea.
There are different levels of withdrawal, I use to go empty on energy as well but instead of diving into a hole in the ground I gradually step it down and go in to battery saving mode, I'm still polite but a bit mellow and I don't act all hyper and active as I usually do with my friends. They will think it's odd from the start but they will get used to it and you don't have to withdraw as much.
Being fake is really no solution it will only drain you more since it will later on anger you that you're not true to yourself.

When I read the topic header I thought you meant fake as in back stabbing, flattering, conniving etc. and I said oh no no,
but if you're just talking about smiling that's a different thing. I discovered people just want a quick acknowledgment and that can be easy with practice. A quick glance at the eyes and a brief smile will do and it satisfies people. Otherwise people start thinking "What the hell's wrong with that one?" and they start getting pissy which ultimately leads to more unpleasant interaction for you. A glance and a smile is a small price to pay. NT's walk around feeling like crap too. It really doesn't matter if it makes logical sense, it is the way it is.