Dear Innie Friend,
I know everyone has those days when you just want to hide out under a blanket rather than face the world. But, as introverts, I feel like we’re a little more susceptible to these kinds of days. Us innies are easily overwhelmed by the demands of our noisy world. Even a few hours of social activity can leave us exhausted. And cranky. We also tend to feel physical manifestations of our depletion: headaches, whole body aches, tired eyes, upset tummy.
What it all boils down to is sensory overload. We introverts get overstimulated more easily. In order to feel good again, we must find ways to block out stimulants, like light, noise, and chatty people (humans are incredibly stimulating, by the way). What better way to do this than by hiding under the blankets in our cozy, warm bed?
I must confess that at least once per month I experience a string of days where all I want to do is hide out in bed. And so that is precisely what I do. I spend as long as possible swaddled in my frilly turquoise cocoon until some obligation, or crisis yanks me out. Sometimes I crawl back in a couple of hours later if I can.
This is one of the reasons I don’t like living with roommates anymore. I always felt like they would judge me as lazy or depressed because of my bouts of extreme introverting. I used to feel self-conscious and guilty about it. After all, healthy, happy, productive people don’t hide out in bed for two days straight.
But what if they actually do?
What if a key part of living a “balanced” introverted life is accepting the fact that you will always be thrown off balance? What if the ebb and flow of energy and creativity is natural? And beautiful?
This is what I’ve come to accept as an introverted, highly sensitive creative person. Sometimes I wake up in the morning buzzing with ideas and inspiration. I leap out of bed. I do grown-up things like write sales pages, deliver webinars, and take out the recycling (still working on this one – missed the pick-up for the past two months straight). And other days I hide away in my blanket cave and give a mental middle finger to all of the obligations that are piled high atop my petite 5’5” frame.
Whatever kind of day I’m having, I’ve learned to cut myself some slack. Small acts of kindness go a long way – especially when they’re directed at yourself. So, if you’re having a hide under the blankets kind of day, don’t be too hard on yourself. Accept the ebb and flow. it’s a good thing.
Lots of love,
This is so true…. great article!
Thanks, Kimberly! Glad it resonates. 🙂
Nail on the head can definitely relate
Love this post! I often feel like this after being “out & about”, either at work, with friends, or just because I feel like it. I knitted my cat a cat cave and thought, “Boy, I could really use one for myself!” lol…
I can relate to this. Good read.
This is where I am today – thanks for sharing
Hey, have you checked your “hiding days” don’t coincide with your menstrual cycle (I assume have one)? Sort of depressed mood is pretty typical symptom of PMS. It took me a forever to realize that I am not fucked up or clinically depressed, I just react to my hormonal cycle more than necessary.
This post resonates so much with what i am living right now! I have just discovered the concept of introversion and struggled greatly all my life with demands and obligation of the social world! I am so tired of being called ‘lazy’ or ‘lethargic’. When people don’t see you moving around, they think you are doing nothing 🙁 so sad to be misjudge all the time 🙁
As an innie, i feel i have so much to bring to others, i bring peace, simplicity, and joy when i feel happy and rested (which i often struggle to be, i mean, rested). The values are so needed in the world! I wish i could express mysel more 🙁 sorry to ramble about myself but i needed to take it out. Ultimately i feel lonely and misunderstood. Good luck to everyone!
Yes! I’m loving how you are celebrating your introversion, Emma! This is the place for you to share this kind of stuff, so you don’t need to apologize for it. I’m sure a lot of the innies here can relate to what you’ve said. xo
Ah, I can so relate to this! Some days I have no energy or feel so overwhelmed, that I can’t think straight, i just want/need to stay home to recharge the batteries so I can face the world again! I don’t understand how everyone seems to go, go, go non-stop – and I feel guilty for taking time out but I have to, it’s a necessity.
This is exactly what I am feeling right now. It is Saturday late morning and I know I have a lot to do but I really just want to stay in my bathrobe, sit on the couch under a warm blanket and watch TV and browse the internet and feeling a lot of guilt over it and trying to motivate myself.
Now after reading this I am going to stay in my bathroom, sit on the couch with a warm blanket, binge watch Sex and the City and browse the internet until I feel recharged and ready to go out again. I love my introvert life.
Thanks for writing this article! I’ve been feeling very sluggish lately and hiding away like a hermit crab. I had a very tedious job this summer working as a housekeeper at a camp which meant I was on my feet for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Now with my new job, I’m not as up and at’em as I used to be, and when I have time for myself, I hide away and don’t speak to anyone unless it’s meal time. I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but I’m glad it’s okay since I am an introvert after all. I do need time to myself to recover.
You are slightly taller than me. I’m 5’4 and a half!
I absolutely love your page and information. I learned about the world of introvert/extrovert almost 10 years ago and it changed my life. I have educated most of the people in my life. My husband has been really great about learning it, other people take a little longer. ? I live in a house with 3 extroverts so I don’t get a lot of alone time. I too have those days where the blanket sounds really good. It is so nice to know that other people share my tendencies and characteristics. Thank you for putting yourself out there Michaela, trust me it truly does help.
I TOTALLY FEEL YOU! Literally in bed eating some comfort food–Hubby told me I need to be good to myself and not feel bad about not wanting to make a phone call tonight!
I often feel like this in the morning, but after about ten minutes I have to get up and start my day. Unless it’s a work day, I typically have some very important pondering of my life to do, which requires me to shower and brush my teeth, and maybe grab a coffee before heading to the couch to think. Then comes a nap, then some more thinking. Then another nap. It’s just so intense!
Thanks for writing this post. I particularly empathised with the overload ‘symptoms’, such as whole body aches, tiredness and recently I’ve developed IBS-type symptoms, it seems I keep a lot of stress built up in my stomach from how anxious and stressed I get. I do think you have to be kind to yourself at all times, it’s the only way – the outside world can be quite a cruel and judgemental place, so sometimes hiding away is the best thing to recover.
Thank you!!!
It gets easier as you get older and better understand yourself. That’s my experience, so don’t despair ?
I get that feeling and ever though I live on the beach and today’s it’s gorgoeus and I’m looking at the incredible panaroamic view of the ocean and blue sky, cliffs and beaches, I’m in my bikini and running shorts but can’t get myself out there/ it’s literally just steps down to the beach….. it’s crazy I just wanna crawl under my fresh and crisp pink sheets and surf the net while the sun shines??? Surely this cannot be healthy!!
I’m also confused as to what I am. I or E?? I teach a variety of fitness classes at the club, Am a manager for major healthcare company so lots of public speaking. Sing in a band for fun and am big into dance HOWEVER, I like to spend hours on my own, doing my own thing. Chatty people drain me as do loud noises. The ocean calms me which is one reason I live here.
This must be my counterbalance to the extroversive activities I do.
Wonderfully written x