by Michaela | Jul 19, 2017 | Blog, introvert energy, Introvert problems, Video |
Hi Innie Friend, I’m on ‘workaction’ in Montreal right now, and I’m dealing with a frustrating side effect of socializing that I know most introverts will relate to; it’s what I call a “social hangover”. You’ve probably had plenty of them in your life, and I think you’ll agree that they are the worst! Funnily enough, an introvert social hangover is a lot like a real hangover. You feel groggy, irritable, exhausted, and overwhelmed. You don’t want to go out, talk, or even think. All you want to do is curl up by yourself and catch your breath. The reason we introverts are extra susceptible to social hangovers is that being around people is highly stimulating. When we spend a lot of time socializing, we become overstimulated, and we literally start to shut down to protect ourselves. Even though I’ve created countless resources for introverts, and I’ve written an entire book on how to be charismatic as an introvert, I still find social hangovers really tough. Because here’s the thing. As much as I’ve learned to honour my introvert needs, and take quiet time to recharge, sometimes I really can’t avoid overstimulation. When I’m on vacation in a big city, I know a social hangover is inevitable, so I’ve found ways to cope. Take my vacation in Montreal, for example. There is so much to do, see, and eat in Montreal, and I’m only here for one week. Even though I’m not doing nearly as much outing and abouting as most would on vacation, I still wake up a lot of mornings with a social hangover. But that’s okay,...
by Michaela | May 16, 2017 | Blog, Introvert funny, Introvert Health, Introvert problems |
INTROVERT: I don’t feel so good. DOCTOR: What are your symptoms? INTROVERT: Well, I don’t like talking very much. But writing is okay. And people make me feel tired, like I want to take a nap. Also, I like to be alone. (Pause.) I mean, I really like it. DOCTOR: Okay, but are you ill? INTROVERT: Most of the time, no, but then sometimes I get this funny feeling in my stomach, like I’m trying to do yoga after eating a Big Mac. DOCTOR: Are you eating a Big Mac when this happens? INTROVERT: No. DOCTOR: What are you doing when you get the stomach problems? INTROVERT: Nothing. Just thinking (Pause.) and not talking. Maybe looking at my phone. DOCTOR: Hmmm. Did you bring in that urine sample the nurse asked for? INTROVERT: Yes, one sec. (Reaches into his bag and pulls out a urine sample in a small plastic container.) Here. DOCTOR: (He dips a test strip into the urine sample, and places it on a paper towel.) Let’s take your blood pressure. (Attaches a blood pressure cuff and takes a reading.) 119/80. Very good. Now, open up. INTROVERT: That’s another problem. I’m not very good at opening up. I guess I just don’t like talking about myself. DOCTOR: No, I mean open your mouth and say “ah”. INTROVERT: Oh. (Opens mouth.) Aaaaah. DOCTOR: (He presses down INTROVERT’s tongue with a tongue depressor, peers inside his mouth.) Hmmm. Okay. (Goes to glance at the urine test strip, and then sits). I think I see the issue. INTROVERT: You do? DOCTOR: You’re an introvert. INTROVERT: You can tell that from my...
by Michaela | Mar 27, 2017 | Blog, introvert energy, introvert mind, Introvert problems |
When you’re an introvert like me, you spend a lot of time feeling overwhelmed. Who can blame you? Introvert overwhelm is a natural side effect of being an introvert in an extrovert’s world. As an introvert, you are more easily overstimulated by things like noise, crowds, and bright flashing lights. You wish you could press pause on life, so that you can take it all in and process the chaos. Because here’s the thing about introverts. We process more information at a given time than extroverts. Our mind is like a high-end computer that can hold a whole lot of data. We take in so much information that we need more time to make sense of it all. Unfortunately, time is in short supply in our fast-paced world. And introverts are suffering for it. Signs that you’re struggling with introvert overwhelm: You feel chronically exhausted, even when you get enough sleep You’re constantly irritable and on edge for no apparent reason You often zone out and shut down at work or social settings You feel mentally fragmented, as if your thoughts have gone through the shredder I’ve been there. In fact, I used to live in a constant state of introvert overwhelm. Everyday, I felt like I was swimming against giant waves of overstimulation. The people, the ever-growing to-do lists, the constant noise pollution, the crowds — it was all too much. Nowadays, I’m much better at keeping introvert overwhelm at bay. I’ve learned the secrets to prevent it, as well as how to curb it the moment it starts to set in. In case you’re struggling with introvert overwhelm,...
by Michaela | Feb 22, 2017 | Blog, Creative Introvert, Introvert problems, Video |
When you’re an introvert living in an extrovert’s world, you spend a lot of time feeling misunderstood. People wonder … Why are you so quiet? Why do you keep wandering off? Why would you want to be alone when there are parties to go to, people to meet, and adventures to be had. They don’t understand that for an introvert, our adventures begin on the inside Our imagination gives us wings Carrying us to new worlds We are the thinkers, the creators, the dreamers We may be still and silent, But we are soaring So when you look at us sitting alone, or daydreaming or wandering off by ourselves Don’t feel sorry for us We may be quiet, but don’t underestimate our power We know more than we say, we think more than we speak, and we observe more than you know. We’re introverts, and that doesn’t make us ‘failed extroverts’ We grew up thinking there was something wrong with us But the truth is that introverts are so much more than what meets the eye We are deep divers in a world of shallow swimmers We know how to listen, not just to words, but also to the subtle messages carried on the wings of silence Give us the freedom to be who we were meant to be And you’ll see how much introverts have to offer the world It’s true that some people might never understand us, and that’s okay Because, when you know how to stand alone The crowd can’t knock you down Please don’t try to change us into extroverts We don’t want to...
by Michaela | Feb 8, 2017 | Blog, Business/leadership, introvert energy, introvert mind, Introvert problems |
If you’re an introvert, you know how it feels to be too tired after work. After a long day slaving away for the man, you come home with mush for brains, and zero energy. This is frustrating for many reasons. First of all, there are a lot of things you need to do when you get home. There are animals and loved ones to tend to, friends to call back, neighbours to hide from. But here’s the problem. All of the above tasks take energy. And when you are an introvert who works in a draining environment, energy is one commodity that is in very short supply at the end of the day. Thankfully, there are ways to refill your energy tanks when you are too tired after work. Many of these after work recharge tips are things you can easily slip into your daily routine. Before I share my top tips, as well as a summary infographic, I want to ask you something important: Do you know why you feel too tired after work? For introverts, this is an important question with an answer that is more layered than you might think. Sure, work is stressful and demanding for anyone — that’s why they call it “work”, right? But for introverts, it’s more than that. For introverts, going to work is a daily battle with overstimulation. The reason has to do with the way an introvert’s brain works in comparison to an extrovert’s. In the 1960s psychologist Hans Eysenck proposed that introverts and extroverts have different levels of cortical arousal (the speed and amount of brain activity). Introverts...
by Michaela | Oct 31, 2016 | Blog, Introvert List Post, Introvert problems |
The teens are tough for anyone. But being an introverted teen comes with its own specific set of painful problems. There is the pain of wanting to belong, but instead, always feeling out of place . There is the absolute agony of always understanding, and never being understood. Then, of course, there is the confusion of having a personality that turns inward when everyone is pushing you to be more outgoing. As an introverted teen, you also struggle with the pain of constantly being forced into places (i.e. school) that highlight just how different you are. Isn’t it ironic that being quiet and observant is something that makes you stand out nowadays? You are the black crow in a crowded jungle of parakeets. You are simultaneously ignored and singled out for your quiet nature. So, yeah, being an introverted teen isn’t easy. Hopefully, today’s article will help you see that you’re not alone, even if you desperately want to be. Here are 7 introverted teen problems that show that the struggle is real for young introverts: 1. Pretending to be immature to fit in. As an introverted teen, you tend to be more introspective and reflective than many of your friends. While others focus on the superficial, you think and feel deeply. Basically, you are an old soul in a teen body. This isn’t exactly the norm in your high school, so you force yourself to be more superficial and fun. You act immature so that you don’t get called out for that weird inner Yoda thing you’ve got going on. Here’s my simple advice for you: A wise one...
