How to survive and thrive in Canberra as an introvert: Part Two
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Introverts! Feeling so frayed after another year of hard work that you’ve almost forgotten how to have fun? Struggling to unwind to the point you can be a functional and carefree soul?
Shifting between the two speeds of hyper-productive or catatonic is no way to live. And reconnecting with yourself demands a bit more than the passive, easy option of Netflix-and-chill. But it is an important intention to nurture as we reflect, nurse and heal this New Year.
The dangers of social media doom-scrolling, and taking in all the motivational, curated frivolity of friends and inconsequential internet personalities are ever-present. And, somehow, burying your head in a book – luxurious as that sounds – can feel like just another thing to keep your overactive mind busy.
To add insult to injury, everything also costs an arm and a leg, and indulgences like getting your nails done or splurging on a massage just aren’t financially viable like they once were. The guilt of spending more than you can afford can tend to take over any curative benefit of a go-to beauty routine.
Fortunately, Canberra is a veritable paradise for introverts looking for a bit of gentle reflection on a shoe-string budget.
Here’s the second part of my list of affordable or free things you can do to let go, self-soothe and relax in solitude.
Creative play and art therapy
You don’t need to be a reincarnation of Claude Monet to have permission to play with colour and this is a perfect time of year to dust out that old tin of Derwent pencils or buy some cheap tubes of acrylic paint to meditate on the colour green.
Just remember, different people will get their own unique benefit from this arty exercise depending on what medium you use. For example, the movement of pressing and shading with coloured pencils is a very different kind of physical expression from the act of pushing paint colours around. And within the variety of paint choices, the experience of using watercolours is very different to oil paints.
My tip? Start simple. Ditch any sense of perfection and just commit to having fun. There’s a reason so many Kindergarteners love art and it’s not because they’re in it to win any kind of kudos or prize.
I like to create a simple still life using fruits from my latest supermarket haul or a tableau featuring leaves and feathers from my walks to do freehand drawing or painting. Alternatively, you can pull up a photo from one of your holidays and try to recreate it. The aim is never perfection, and the exercise is a great way to engage a part of my brain which is dormant or otherwise trapped in the motions of my working 9-5.
Set yourself a time limit (15 minutes is always doable) and commit to finishing. Soon enough, this will become a whole new way of relaxing and having fun on your own.
Coloured pencils (some decent quality ones can be purchased at Coles for just under $7), and the local dollar shop opposite Kingston’s Supabarn were selling $1 colouring books the last time I checked. Aldi also regularly offer seasonal art supplies for very low prices, so keep an eye on their catalogue for the next drop. Officeworks also sells cheap art books (starting from $4) if you’re after a thicker paper card to use for your canvas.
Set firm, kind boundaries, and prioritise essential time alone
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic shook things up for the world, shrunk our lives, and made things more intense for everybody, learning how to ‘just be’ has become a lot harder.
For the introverts and risk-averse among us, diving head-first into the social fray of the festive calendar was not very appealing. In fact, the performative joy of this season is probably something you’ve actively dodged. For a start, it requires eye contact. And then comes the emotional heavy lifting of making others feel better about your lot.
When I spend time with my social circle or people I love, I want to be present and bring my best self to the conversation. Last year I was very firm about capping the number of days I spent at home with my family over Christmas and even cancelled casual plans to spend NYE with a friend. I’ve decided that this is the year I put my needs first, and I know everyone in my life will get to enjoy the benefits of that.
Being your most authentic self as an introvert means making time (and protecting it) to be alone, digest all that has happened, and sift through the feelings it stokes. Be gentle with yourself, and be kind and clear with others about what you need to achieve that.
Then, when you’re restored and feeling yourself again, you can venture out into the world with a smile on your face and pep in your step. It also means you can be more intentional about where your precious energy is flowing and give yourself to others sustainably.
Happy hibernating!
