An Introvert’s Guide to Socializing After COVID-19

Don’t get me wrong, these last few months have been terrifying. A deadly disease swept the world, taking thousands of lives. Billions of us hid in our homes with bated breath, and anxiety was at an all-time high. But at the same time… wasn’t it kind of freeing?

Most of my friends complain about feeling bored, lonely, and stir-crazy. Of course, there were moments when I felt that way too. But for introverts, home-bodies, and people with social anxiety, quarantine was a chance to break free from an extrovert’s world.

With work, socializing, and life on hold for a while, introvert batteries got a chance to recharge. There was no pressure to be “on” all the time. If you’re like me, social distancing gave you time to take care of yourself in the way you wanted to.

How can you navigate reopening?

With restrictions beginning to lift all around the world, this introvert’s paradise is about to come to an end. As much as I’m looking forward to hugging my friends and spending some much needed time out of the house, it’s a little daunting to jump right back into the real world.

If you’re finding yourself thinking “is it normal to be nervous about quarantine ending?”, the answer is yes. Besides health anxiety, this change has caused social anxiety in many people, especially those who are introverted or have preexisting social anxieties.

How can introverts navigate life post-quarantine? Here are the top tips that have helped me transition back to the real world.

1. Don’t feel pressured to rush back in

Certain things, like returning to work or school, might be out of your control. That’s why it’s important that you be in charge of all the decisions you can control.

Some of your extrovert friends will be pushing to have a get-together as soon as restrictions are lifted, but if that’s not you, that’s okay. It’s up to you to decide when you’re ready to resume socializing.

Having a hard time saying no to others? Check out my last post on standing up for yourself here!

2. Start small

If you hadn’t gone swimming in years, you wouldn’t jump straight into the ocean. In the same way, socializing is a skill and it might take you more time than others to feel comfortable with it again. So let’s start in the shallow end – rather than heading straight for the mall, try to stick to less populated areas. Public parks or trails are the perfect place to see a few people without getting overwhelmed.

Not only will small groups decrease your chances of coming in contact with COVID-19, they can also help you get used to socializing before you have to interact with more people.

3. Focus on people you’re comfortable with

Surrounding yourself with people you love will make you feel so much more comfortable in the beginning. This is not the time to see your friend’s boyfriend’s cousin’s girlfriend who’s been wanting to grab coffee with you. Instead, reconnect with close friends and family in familiar places. A close friend’s house or your favourite coffee shop might feel safer in the beginning.

Of course, please follow your area’s physical distancing guidelines when deciding where or how you’ll be socializing.

4. Embrace the awkward

In the beginning, socializing is going to feel weird. And that’s okay. Remind yourself that it’s okay for things to feel a little awkward in the beginning. Chances are, the people around you are also feeling a little strange about being out of the house for the first time in months.

Today I ran into a friend while shopping. We actually laughed about how weird it was to see each other after spending so long apart. Chatting about our shared awkwardness immediately made our interaction so much more comfortable. Don’t be afraid to talk about your feelings surrounding the end of quarantine – it can be a great way to bridge the gap you’ve felt after spending so long apart.

5. Don’t forget the lessons you learned during quarantine

I think that everybody, introverts and extroverts, learned a lot about themselves during isolation. Take some time to reflect on those important lessons before things return to the new “normal”. If isolation reminded you how being alone recharges your battery, find time to keep recharging that battery post-quarantine. Learn to say no to social events that don’t serve you, take yourself out for dinner, and get as much alone time as you need. I often hear people say that we live in an extrovert’s world, but we’ve all got to live in it. It’s time to create a life that makes you thrive.

Thanks for checking out today’s post! How are you feeling about restrictions lifting? Let me know in the comments below