I am an Early Childhood Educator and a Family Lifestyle Photographer. Both of these jobs are fast-paced and high-energy, and I LOVE them both. But, I've learned to adjust my daily routine to accommodate my introverted ways. Otherwise, I'd always be on the precipice of burnout. And believe me, NO ONE wants to visit that hot spot for long. Here are a few things that have made my day-to-day life more enjoyable and given me the bandwidth to pursue goals outside my comfort zone.
1. Sleep
I am NOT a bare minimum sleeper. I've come to terms with being 38 and often bed before 10 pm, okay, usually 9 pm. It's what my body needs, so it's what my body gets.
2. Social Limits
I am SUPER selective about social engagements. I say "no" a heck of a lot more than I say "yes" now. Over-scheduling is the easiest way for my anxiety to rear its ugly head.
3. Journalling
I need a lot of reflection time to process my day, which has been done best for me through journaling. Writing out a problem or feeling has been a healthy outlet for me to determine the next steps or to give that negative energy somewhere to go besides inside my head.
4. Recovery Time
Years of trial and error have helped me define my threshold for activity. I know how busy I can be before scheduling some downtime. I very rarely do sessions or social engagements back-to-back. I want to give 100% to whomever I'm with, and I can't do that unless I've recharged first.
5. Delegate
I very rarely go into a store because I find it overstimulating. Thankfully my husband loves running errands like that, so he does it. I try to reserve my energy and avoid the hustle and bustle whenever I can. We both have our strengths, and we consider those when dividing duties. It's been a game-changer for me!
6. Exercise
I fall off the bandwagon of this more than anything else, but I feel so much better when I do it consistently. Yoga, walking in nature or dancing are my favourite activities.
I used to think there was something wrong with me because I couldn’t keep up with society’s hustle, or I felt guilty if I turned down a social event. I worried so much about letting people down. But by saying no, I show up more effectively for myself and my relationships.
Do you have an introvert survival tip? Share it with me! :)