8:53 pm
Well, if no one else is going to say it, I might as well: as an introvert, I’m kind of loving this social-distancing, sheltering-in-place stuff. I mean, I haven’t seen any media story cover the COVID-19 pandemic with the angle of, how do introverts feel to “have” to be alone all the time. It feels like the elephant in the room when I’m talking to people who really know me. I keep joking about it, like, haha, this is how I usually live, my life hasn’t changed at all, secretly wondering if I was, am, and will be judged for being an introvert (some might say that I am bordering on hermetic these days).
Of course, all the stories zero in on extroverts, or are written from the (more common?) extrovert mindset: this sucks, to not be able to have human contact, to not be able to get together, to not be able to talk or hug in person.
Um, not if you’re an introvert! It kind of truly is how I live my life most of the time. And, a part of me feels slightly scared (is there something terribly wrong with me?) and another part is intrigued (what is it about me, about my own company, that sustains me more than that of others?). For me, the timing of this pandemic is a relief, considering my days and nights are stressed by work and trying to maintain a sense of sanity and normalcy in the face of my severe perimenopausal night heat. As an introvert, I find myself thinking, I finally don’t have to make excuses anymore for not wanting to go out or be with other people in a social setting!
I mean, I am used to working from home, but also, spending my time alone and doing a lot of things alone–and preferring it that way! Even to me, that still sounds bad, but it’s taken me 45 years to not feel the urge to apologize for who I am; it’s probably never going to feel perfectly right, but at least I’m on my way toward being more accepting of myself.
Like, my life is pretty much EXACTLY the same as it was pre-lockdown: I spend all day home, alone, working, except for the (admittedly relieving–even introverts need connection!) conference calls that I typically almost always conduct via voice (we don’t normally dial in using video); I work out alone; I usually don’t go out to dinner or (gasp!) the bars anymore. Once in a while, I’ll hang out with a friend or go to the beach with a group, but it’s rare.
Of course, I have my people, those one or two or three people whom I’ve let in, who know me, and with whom I can be myself. Even still, I need my space and “me” time. And, by that, I mean, time alone to observe, to process–and, to get the kind of deep, soulful feedback from myself that I need to feel full, whole, good. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy others’ company; more often than not, though, I prefer my own, maybe because I am overly self-conscious, maybe because I feel like I “get more back” (in terms of what makes me feel grounded and optimistic) from my inner self.
That being said, I totally understand that feeling of being out of control and insane from spending too much time alone! I’ve been working from home, as a writer, for almost a decade; what I’ve found helps me is this:
- tracking my time (making to-do lists, writing in a journal);
- processing the negative thoughts that just start to whir when you’re alone a lot (again, writing in a journal is essential to me getting all that junk down on digital paper, as it were, and letting it go/clearing the way for positive thoughts); and
- doing things outside my home (and, that could be, doing yoga on the deck instead of in my bedroom, just to see a change of scenery).
It’s not easy, and I feel for people who don’t have significant others, pets–anything to help you feel less up in your head after a long day of being and working alone. I have hated it at times, but, the alternative is one, not being a writer (I’ve done that, and I’m probably going to do that again–though an introvert, I can swing toward extroversion for extended periods of time as well; a true Gemini!); and two, writing from an office with people around me, which isn’t really different from writing alone at home except there are people around me, talking or distracting me. I guess the biggest difference is that I don’t have coworkers to chat with, and that can grate on anyone’s nerves, even mine! Dogs don’t talk back to you (in words, anyway).
And, all that being said, it does suck to not be able to go out and see friends, hug your people, etc. etc. etc.! But, this, too, shall pass, this, too, shall pass. (at least we don’t have to worry about keeping stocked with red wine, right?)
Drunky Drunk Girl 