I used to travel a fair bit, and don't miss it at all.

It sounds like most of your downsides are from other people. Visible headphones serve two purposes; decreasing noise (which is surprisingly fatiguing) and sending a message that you don't want to talk that much.

I've used eye covers as well and generally just try to sleep for the flight.

As for boarding and de-boarding, you can try to be last on, last off, or if you can get towards the front, last on, first-ish off. But you can only have a personal item, not a carry on if you try to do this.