Heya Meghan, welcome to the addiction .) Just my 2 cents worth, but personally I love being in a guild. There have been some days where I have been so busy chatting and hangin out that I didn't get too much done.
* Gasp! *
Some of the best belly laughs I have had in a long time come from guild chat. I love that I can help out my friends. I also know that there are people out there that have my back, and don't mind all my typos. More hands make lighter work and all that. It is also OK to do things solo too, even when you are in a guild. I agree, definitely check out the guilds here that have their own forums.
Find a comfortable chair, dim the lights and channel Goldilocks.........I am sure you will find one that is juuusssttt riggghhttt. Don't worry about the time zones. I am in Hawaii, and get to play with the night owls on the mainland and the early birds in Australia.