Solitude matters, and for some people, it's the air they breathe. ― Susan Cain

Are You An Introvert Or An Extrovert?

Yes. I’m one of those weird people who is an extroverted introvert. That is, I love chatting with people and am very social. But talking to people makes me exhausted, and I always leave the party early to crawl into bed and read. I am, in fact, famous for that. One minute, I’m dancing on a couch waving around a flashlight, and the next, my friends are like, “Where did Lisa go?” It’s extreme.

Introverts Are Not Alone

Most of my friends are writers, which means that most of them are fairly introverted, too. It’s a self-selecting demographic of people who like to read and spend time alone with imaginary people. That’s not wrong. For people like us, this time of year—with celebrations and whatnot—can be exhausting. For introverts, it’s important to protect your time and energy.

Ain’t No Party Like An Introvert Party

An introvert party is easy to host, because it has only one guest: you. Sometime this week, treat yourself to a seasonal drink (I’m a holiday spiced coffee fan) and sit down with a book or notebook, put on some music, or simply close your eyes. Make sure you’re in a place where you won’t be disturbed and put your phone on silent or—better yet—in another room.

Then simply take the time to recharge.

Don’t spend your time doing something intentionally useful, which can create more pressure. (For example, if you write in your notebook, write a poem, not a To-Do list.) Simply be still and quiet for a while, like a phone sitting patiently in a charger. Even fifteen minutes will leave you feeling calmer and more creative. Remember—it’s your party, and you can be alone if you want to.