Labels are tricky things. They can quickly communicate an identity or complicated set of ideas in a 
word or phrase. They can also box us into roles that only sometimes actually fit.
Today let’s talk about some alternative ways to recharge personal energy for people who usually do so by spending time alone. If I was discussing this with someone who had never known this need I’d use terms like introvert and extrovert and gloss over the idea that many people switch between the two in certain circumstances. I’d like to talk around these terms, though. Even people who usually are energized by being part of a crowd will either occasionally need to be alone or need to brainstorm other ways to recharge.
Sometimes one needs time alone in places or situations where it isn’t easy to carve out that space. Maybe you’re the primary caregiver for one or more small children, have a demanding, fast-paced job, are sharing a hotel room with three other people on a vacation or are trapped by a spring snowstorm in a remote cabin somewhere.
Here are some of the things I’d try to help prevent becoming (temporarily) burned out on people if I wasn’t able to have time alone:
- Ask for quiet time. Noisy environments drain my energy much more quickly.
- If the environment cannot be made more quiet, wear headphones. Sounds I choose to hear are far more relaxing than those I’m forced to process.
- Go for a hike.
- Imagine new stories.
- Work on repetitive tasks. Boring physical or mental chores can block out what is happening around you.
- Sleep.
- Meditate.
- Prepare a favourite meal.
- Spend time around water. Swimming is the most helpful but even a bath or hot shower can clear the mind.
How would you bounce back in a situation like this?
I read of a woman back at the turn of the century or soon after 1900 that had many many children and would simply sit on her chair and put her apron over her head. The message was clear and nobody bothered her from time to time as she would take a personal time out to recharge.
That is awesome.
I feel a little drained this week…to recharge, I think I’ll take a nice long nap on Saturday afternoon. It feels awesome to just lay on the couch and sleep for a while 🙂
I’d also like to get outside. It’s starting to warm up again! I’m going to try to get a volleyball game set-up if it’s nice out this weekend.
Awesome tips! I will have to do a bit of everything when I go to my husband’s side of the family get together in July.
My MIL likes to hover over you and talk non-stop. One often wishes for a magic wand to make her disappear.
One magic wand coming right up! 😀
Trying to figure out a way to have quiet time is no problem for me at all. I stay clear of people as a general rule. 😀
Heh, that would work as well.
Asking for quiet time often doesn’t work for me, since I work in an office where, to the CEO, “noise means money.” But every once in a while I sneak into a back conference room and put on my headphones to really focus on my work, which works for a little while until I’m discovered and people start popping in every few minutes to ask questions that “just can’t wait.” I have yet to come up with a solution to that problem, other than sitting at my desk with music in headphones turned up loud enough to drown out the cacophany. It would be incredibly useful to have an office with a door, which I’m working on… 🙂
Hopefully you’re able to get an office with a door soon. That must be very distracting!