The holiday season is right around the corner. It’s full of family get-togethers, office parties, and Christmas shopping trips. If you’re an introvert, the holiday season might be something your dread. Trying to catch your breath between dealing with crowds in stores and social activities isn’t easy. And feeling overwhelmed during the holidays isn’t uncommon for introverts. it’s tempting to want to clear your calendar and hide away until it’s over. But you can be an introvert and still enjoy the holidays.
For most introverts, their ideal holiday would include a load of quiet time with their extended family, a long walk, and curling up with a book. But in reality, it includes aunts and uncles who want to know what you’ve been up to. Navigating crowded groceries or airports. Getting a talkative uber who’s ready to tell you their life story when all you want to in scroll through your phone. Then after it’s all over you’ll spend the next week trying to recover. It’s unlikely that you’ll have the perfect holiday season that you’ve imagined, but you can create a holiday season that’s less overwhelming and enjoyable.
Don’t be afraid to turn down an invitation
The holiday season comes with lots of invitations. And if you were to accept them all, you’d have a full calendar that doesn’t leave room free time so you can recharge. It’s easy to fall into the trap of blinding say yes to everything because you feel guilty. Be honest and let your friends and family know that you’re reaching your limit and have to turn down their invitation. They’ll understand and respect your decision.
Limit Guest
Being an introvert during the holidays can be stressful, but it’s even more stressful if having people over. If you’re hosting limit the amount of guest you have over. Don’t overwhelm yourself with having a bunch of people over at one time. Set things up so your guests can do their own thing. And you can have a little bit of solitude if needed.
Have a place to recharge
Instead of staying with friends or family get a hotel. That way you have a place to recharge when your visiting friends or family. If that’s not an option, make yourself useful by volunteering to run errands all day.
Make an escape plan
Sometimes you’re at a party and after about an hour your feeling drained. You didn’t plan as well and you should have and depleted your energy reserves. Have a safety word or phrase to let those around you know that you’re reaching your limit and need a moment to recharge.
Learn and grow
With each year you get closer to creating your ideal holiday. As you implement changes, take note of what worked and what didn’t. And add to your survival kit for the holiday season.
If you’re an introvert the holidays don’t have to be something you dread this year. Take time to figure out how you can nurture your inner introvert, and enjoy the holiday season instead of looking for a place to hide.
Related post: How to Plan a Stress-Free Thanksgiving
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As an introvert, I love this post and can totally relate! Because of Covid, things are different this year, but typically my grandparents would invite people over to eat and I often choose to eat in my room because my family is A LOT and I just need a break.
I feel you on that. When I spend the holidays with my family I end up hiding for a couple of hours to get a break.😅