How To Not Accidently Spend All Your Free Time Alone
After talking so much about solitude and alone-time, I decided it’s time to talk about the opposite – the importance of not constantly flying solo.
Introverts need (and love) alone-time…but trust me when I say, “Don’t overdo it.” Indulging in silence is good for us, in terms of reflection, relaxation, contemplation on the existence of the humans. But honestly? Even I get sick of myself sometimes; therefore need some social interaction.
Being conscious of your schedule and understanding how much solitude your mind and body actually need is the best way to prevent holing up too frequently. Tracking your time-spent on a calendar is a constructive way to give you an overview of what you are doing, who you are with and who you are not with throughout your week. When you use a calendar, then you can easily track your interactions and remind yourself to reach out to check in on others. Remember, the people you care about care about you, too!
Rest assured that plans don’t always have to be an all-day affair. Here are some examples of low-social-impact activities:
Walks with friends
Doggie dates
Lunch, coffee or dinner
Making an effort, and remembering to make an effort, is essential for introverts to be conscious of when it comes to their self-care and personal relationships. I know, it is so easy for us to forget about the world when we crave to be away from it so much!
Working on your schedule and being in control of your time is a struggle, but worthwhile. It ebbs and flows. I’ve mentioned it in other episodes, but being prepared for the “crash” after a few hours of company helps. Use those buffer times I frequently talk about, and make sure you are nice and relaxed before and after your social interactions. Spending time with people may be good, but it can still be overwhelming! I get it.