The question posed here lies partly in my introverted nature (and my laziness). I guess I noticed the first indicators of that in the context of language learning a while back. While I'm able to pick up language well enough (given that there's enough input), I don't know if I can progress at the same pace with the current approach. A recent chat in English showed that I have a problem with recalling some words on the fly or even transforming my passive vocabulary into an active one. The fact that I don't interact with native English speakers definitely plays a role. I heard a guy the other day who is not a native speaker but does interact with native speakers. The way he speaks and the expressions he uses speak volumes. His speech sounds natural and he can describe things in a natural way, like a real English speaker would do. I guess it's because he gets to retain vocabulary by practising the language directly with native speakers, reusing and repeating the words that have been said right after coming across them. In a way, I can apply the same technique here, I can create sentences containing the words and phrases I recently learned. Let's say, I watched an episode of a series and I wrote down sentences worth noting. And now I construct my own sentences with words I want to remember. The thing is, I'd still need something that would keep my brain from picking the words off the "shelf" of my active vocabulary and moving them back to the passive one. Ideally, a conversation would be great for this. Different topics would come up and trigger certain words, reinforcing them. But then again, it's hard to find conversation on the internet. Additionally, I might have a hard time bringing myself to "study" language, rather than acquire it. Mind you, I spend most of my free time binge-watching and occasionally seeking conversation, so... I don't know, maybe I should use a more clever approach, try harder, or change the way I do things?
Honestly I'm kind of tired of the idea that being introverted inherently means being worse at talking. In my opinion, it's just as hard for an extrovert to learn how to be conversational as is for an introvert, it's just that the extrovert might progress faster because they spend more time speaking to others (and therefore getting automatic feedback on how they construct and produce their speech). Look at Wouter Corduwener on youtube. You can feel the introvert vibes from a mile away, but he is conversational in an amazing variety of languages probably because he goes out on the streets and talks to people so much. My advice is to keep trying different methods and see which is most sustainable to you, as you will always be able to modify a method that you already do way easier than trying to immediately be motivated to use a different method from scratch.
If I'm understanding correctly, your main goal is to take information out of "storage" and into "active use." Maybe reading and writing simply doesn't stimulate your brain as much as listening and talking does. You say that you write down words and phrases that you come across while watching shows, and then write example sentences. What if you tried speaking example sentences instead? You could also record yourself saying the sentences to remember for later.
But as for acquiring language in contrast to studying it, that's how some words stick with me most strongly. Sometimes I learn a word and I know what it means before ever searching its definition. I just know it from context, and having had to work to figure out its meaning cements it in my brain permanently. But this might not work for you; you'll have to test it. Anyway, good luck and keep us posted.
I'm extremely introverted so I understand the struggle. If you can't find anyone to talk to, my advice is to talk as much as possible even if you aren't talking to someone else. I will talk to myself out loud. I make videos talking about how my day went (even though I'm not going to show them to anyone). It's not quite the same as having actual conversations but it's the next best thing.
@JGComm I meant that it would be a good idea to incorporate the approached I mentioned. As for speaking example sentences, that a good idea. I do this every now and then when I write them down but not on the regular.
It's nice to see your feedback, folks