How to balance your time when you’re an introvert
As an introvert, I know all about the struggles of balancing your energy. At work, school or almost anywhere else, the world seems dominated by extroverts who thrive in busy, loud, competitive environments. As an introvert, it’s not that I don’t like showing interest in others or spending time with friends and family, it’s just that it takes a lot of energy for me. When I have to balance my time with work, school, taking care of the house, sports and keeping in touch with my social circle, it can be quite taxing. In this article, I will advise on how to balance your energy as an introvert.
Accept the fact that (certain) activities cost energy
It can be challenging trying to balance everything you want to do in a day. When surrounded by people who seemingly do everything (have a career, a partner and family, a large social circle, stay healthy and have a beautiful, organized household), it can be difficult to accept that you may be differently wired as an introvert. For myself, it’s not that I don’t want to talk to people all day or do all these activities in one day, it’s that I literally can’t. I have a limited amount of energy I can spend on small talk with colleagues, video calling or meeting with people in real life.
If you feel like you have to set goals for yourself and achieve them, you may put too much pressure on yourself. Unfortunately, as an introvert, you have to be watchful of your energy levels because one, many people don’t understand how you can be drained after a day of talking and two, no one else will. Try to accept the fact that these things might work a bit differently for you than they do with other people. You may even find that other people at work experience the same thing, so you’re not the only one.
Set your priorities straight — and stick to them
Many people around me have multiple things going on a regular weekday. They are home around 6, cook dinner, do sports and meet up with colleagues or friends in the evening. The next morning, they’re at the office at 8 again, maybe a bit tired, but ready to grind. For me, that sounds like a nightmare. As an introvert, it’s fine to realize that you don’t have the energy to spend 16 hours in tow, including a regular 8-hour workday.
Certain things are mandatory: going to work, grocery shopping, exercising and housework. Other things, you can delay to another day in the week or even put off for a while, such as: calling customer service about cancelling a subscription, clothes shopping in a busy mall, or meeting with friends or family.
If you have a long to-do list, it’s important to prioritize tasks. You probably won’t be able to do everything every day. You just have to be smart about it. Being social at work can be exhausting, but in most cases, you don’t have much of a choice in that matter. Everything after work, can either be mandatory for your (mental) health or can be delayed a bit to later in the week.
Make the most of your weekends — but don’t forget to enjoy them!
Most people look forward to the weekend- and for most people, those two days pass by too soon. For us introverts, that is not different, it’s just that you have to balance your activities to make the most of them. After a five-day workweek, I am usually exhausted, mentally, from all the small talk, acting assertive and determined at work, forcing myself to show up at drinks after work, etcetera.
Try to find a balance that works for you. For example, I try to balance three things on my weekend: resting, social life, and exercise. I usually meet up with friends or family, go for a long hike or to a gym class and try to catch up with my sleep and unwind before the next work week. Some practical tips on how to manage this:
- Take one night off. Don’t plan anything, no household tasks, no calls, nothing. You can spend it catching up with your TV series, taking a nice long shower, reading a book, or doing whatever you want. Just don’t plan anything and spend alone, so you can properly unwind. You can also reserve this time for your hobbies.
- Combine certain “obligations”! You can meet your family, and go for a long hike. You can invite your partner over and do grocery shopping together. You can convince your friend to go to the gym with you. It will save you time and you get to spend time with them, it’s a win-win.
- Try not to think of your to list. You can also put a lot of pressure on yourself by trying to make the most of your weekend every single week. Some weekends, you won’t be able to make it to the gym, or you’ll skip seeing your family for a while. There’s no shame in it, and it’s important to remember that if you feel too overwhelmed or stressed, it can also be a signal from your body that you should take a rest. Ignoring that signal can mean you might end up with a migraine or feeling seriously unwell.
In summary
As an introvert, you must accept the fact that your energy distribution might work differently from people in your environment. You find yourself often too tired on a workday to meet up with colleagues for drinks after work — and that’s fine. Many things have to be done every day, so it can help to prioritize which things have to be done and which tasks can be delayed until a later time. Finally, try to spend the weekends doing things you like and meeting the people you love. If things don’t work out and you’re too tired to do everything, try not to punish yourself- it’s fine to take a break sometimes. Listen to your mind and body, and pick up the pace later.
