Embracing an Introvert Lifestyle

I am an introvert. Plain and simple.  I always have been and when people say they're shocked, it's usually because they see me in a setting where I can't embrace my introvert side and I have to be social and engaging with others even if I don't feel like it. This usually happens at work when we have an in office day.
That being said, I wanted to talk about how embracing my introvert lifestyle has served me very well and why I think it's important to honor that part of you if you consider yourself an introvert as well. 

We always try to be inclusive for different people and learning styles yet it feels like society wants us all to be a certain way especially at work and in social situations even if it's not natural for us. Of course I would never sit there and ignore everyone because I don't feel like talking, but it can be exhausting to have force myself to be that way.  I think we should normalize embracing other people's identities like this.  If you are an extrovert that's great and you may thrive in a setting at work with less privacy and more social interaction. But for some positions and personalities, we need our quiet time and our space to focus and do our work tasks. 

 

Now I do have moments where I'm extroverted and I find that's generally when I'm in a place that I feel comfortable surrounded by people that I feel comfortable with.  I thrive then too but I still need breaks from that type of socializing.  It doesn't exhaust me the same way it does when I'm in a situation where I may not feel comfortable and I am not vibing with everyone in the room.  

 

So what does my life as an introvert look like? Well....

 

I wake up early EVERY DAY. 

Of course I have dogs so they definitely won't allow me to sleep in because how dare I delay breakfast for them, but I love waking up early regardless. I feel like I have time to slowly awaken and adjust to the day ahead before anyone else is awake and can engage with me.  I can catch up on the news from over night and I can check my emails and messages and get caught up reading them before more come in when the day starts for everyone else. 

 

I run first thing in the morning. 

Okay, not first thing because I do need 30-45 minutes to wake up but I still run very early.  Year round my feet are hitting the pavement by 5:30 am.  In the cold weather months it's very dark then but in the warmer months the sun is peeking up by the time I'm on my final 1/2 mile to get back home.  I like running because it feels like it's just me and the outdoors.  There are rarely people outside and if they are, they're either focused on their own fitness or they're walking their dogs.  We don't really even need to acknowledge each other's presence.  So there's no waving or small talk.  I can just focus on being in the zone while running and it's glorious. 

I am very productive on work from home days. 

Our office gets to telework all but one day a month.  Sometimes it's 2 days a month because we have quarterly meetings for our entire office.  Working from home means I can focus fully on my work tasks without people interrupting me in person.  When I'm in the office, I can't focus on something for more than 15 minutes without someone approaching me.  I get it because I have an administrative job but I personally always email someone instead of just approaching them.  That way they can do what I do and choose to deal with that request when they are ready.  On in office days I am so burnt out by the time I get home and it's miserable.  How I did this daily before the pandemic, I have no idea but I do know that I was not healthy physically or mentally then like I am now so it makes a big difference. 

I keep in touch with friends when I can. 

I don't feel the need to constantly talk to people if I'm not in the mood.  My friends understand that and most of them are just like me so if we send each other a message and don't hear back it's no big deal because we know that the other person will respond when they feel up to it.  We don't require in person contact in order to be friends.  Life is busy and exhausting and if I only see you once a year, I feel no different about you.  I am still grateful to have conversations with you regularly!

 

I prefer to stay home. 

Seriously, it's not just because of being an introvert but I'm also a homebody and just love the comforts of home. Travel isn't appealing to me no matter where the destination is.  I would rather have my bed, my bathroom, my water pressure in the shower, my floor, and everything else that comes with home.  I don't mind leaving my house of course when I have to but I am never bored or frustrated being at home for days on end.  I can just be myself in my own private sanctuary and don't have to engage with others unless I actually want to.  

Small groups are my preference for company. 

I never mind attending a party or an event but for the most part, I enjoy small intimate gatherings even if I don't know everyone there. It's easier for me to get to know people in those settings and I also feel more relaxed because the amount of people doesn't have me overwhelmed and on edge. And I love meeting new people that I stay in touch with for years to come but it's just easier to do that in a smaller setting. 

I don't overshare on social media. 

This is especially true for Instagram, X, and Tiktok because I have less control over who sees what since I use those to engage with people I don't know but when it comes to Facebook, I am very selective with who I am friends with and also what I share. To be fair, I usually just post dog photos and little life updates because my life isn't all that exciting. But I will say that social media is nice because I can still be an introvert when posting on it so I stay within my comfort zone. 

Are you an introvert or an extrovert or something in between? How do you live YOUR life?

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA