The introvert’s guide to Christmas

Posted on 9 December, 2019

It was deep into my third Christmas gathering for the week and I was spending it glued to my phone in the toilets.

It probably sounds unpleasant, but in reality, this was my safe haven—a place to recharge all the energy that had been sapped away with small talk, networking and meeting new faces.

I’m aware that this is already reading like a whine post: “poor me, too much to do and too many people to see.” It’s not that at all.

I absolutely love Christmas, and I’m incredibly grateful to have loved ones and friends to celebrate with. But as an introvert, I have a social limit, and at a certain point over December—somewhere between the networking Christmas nibbles and catch up BBQ—I well and truly reach it and go running for solitude.

For the extroverts out there, being an introvert isn’t necessarily about being shy. We can socialise like anyone else, even be the life of the party—but there comes a point where we reach our social limit and need to withdraw in order to stay sane.

Many of us approach December and the many social gatherings that come with it with a sense of dread, because our energy is being drained at a constant.

Half an hour of small talk makes us feel as if we’ve run a marathon, and successfully making it out the door to go home is akin to winning a gold medal.

So how can introverts survive the party season without collapsing into a heap? Here are five golden rules…

Don’t be afraid to say no

Don’t feel guilty or apologise for needing a break when it all gets too hectic.

Explain your needs to friends and family, so they don’t misread a need for space as a rejection.

Spend some time away from your phone

The pressure to always be available means we are also constantly responding to social arrangements or feeling guilty about not attending. If we take social media away from the equation, it can make things easier.

If you’re feeling too overwhelmed, try removing your social accounts temporarily during busy periods and let people know you’re taking some time for yourself. They will understand and will still be able to contact you via text if it’s urgent!

Set a limit

Schedule some quiet time for yourself between gatherings. Got events on Friday and Saturday? Make Sunday your day, no questions asked.

Setting aside time to unwind will give you something to look forward to later and means you won’t feel too trapped once event season is in full swing.

Have a game plan

A great way to get through an event where you don’t know many people is to be helpful.

By volunteering to help out the host, you’ll keep your hands busy and do a better job of staying in the moment.

Work out an escape route in advance

Working out an escape route in advance can provide a sense of comfort to any introvert.

Whether it’s the need to catch public transport, go home to check on the kids or attend an alternate event, let your host know in advance so you don’t have to fumble for an excuse once you’re there.

Most hosts will appreciate you made the effort to go and will be so busy they won’t mind if you slip out early anyway!

Got any more tips for introverts? Hit us up in the comments!