Any big life change is difficult. Moving house, changing job, ending a relationship – they can all feel like a lot. Add in a healthy dollop of introversion and you’ve got a recipe for emotional overwhelm.
Let’s get real though. The truth is that these things are going to happen at some point. Unless we live in a cave as a hermit, which honestly sometimes sounds appealing, we’re going to have to deal with big life stuff at some point. Probably a lot of it all at once, as that seems to be how the universe likes to work. You wait forever for one bus… You get the point.
So what can we do to protect ourselves? What strategies can we put in place that mean we can navigate significant life events without burning out and running away to that cave? We’ve got some ideas that we think will help. Add them to your introvert’s toolbelt for whenever you might need them.
Why Big Life Changes Can Feel Even Bigger for Introverts
Before we get into the practical tips, let’s take a step back. We know that there’s a tendency here to compare ourselves with others. We see other people going about their business, starting new jobs, enjoying meeting groups of new people, and we sometimes berate ourselves for not finding things so simple.
First, hold up. Check your sources. Has someone posted pictures on Instagram of their amazing new home? Chances are, they found moving stressful and are worried about making new friends, even if their open kitchen shelving looks amazing.
And hey, even if they are thriving, that’s okay. We’re all different, remember? We’re not being lame if we find something hard. We shouldn’t feel we have to ‘man up’ and push through things we find exhausting just because someone else might not find it as tough.
As introverts, we process deeply. We don’t just skim across decisions; we sit with them. We turn them over, imagining all the different outcomes. We think about how they’ll affect everyone involved. That depth is a strength. But during major transitions, it can become exhausting.
Conclusion? The overwhelm is real. Give yourself a break.
Practical ways to reduce emotional overload
While we can’t change who we are and how our brains work, we can use what we know about ourselves to smooth the process. Here are a few ways that we can protect our energy during big life changes.
Limit the number of voices you let in
It can be tempting to get as many opinions as possible when you’re making a big decision, but this is definitely a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Choose one or two people you trust to give you advice by all means, but not every man and his dog. Tune in to your own instincts, don’t appoint a committee.
Batch your communications
Batching your communications can be revolutionary. It’s like batch cooking, but less mess. Rather than respond to emails, texts and phone calls as they come in, set aside a period during the day to reply to everything in one go. This allows your brain to switch off from that feeling of constantly awaiting the next message.
Explore simpler routes when you need to
Hate driving and hospitals? Take a taxi to that next medical appointment. We shouldn’t feel we have to always be testing ourselves. Make it easy where you can. For the bigger decisions, we can be just as open to alternative routes. The traditional housing market for example is ripe for emotional overwhelm, but research how to sell a house fast and you’ll find other ways of doing it. With a cash buying service you choose your own completion date and can have funds in the bank in as little as seven days.
Protect your recovery time
We need time after big decisions or events to recover, so actively keep time free after a change to allow for much-needed rest. Recovery isn’t indulgent, it’s sensible maintenance. We function better when we allow for it, so build it in.
As introverts, we don’t need to become louder or tougher to survive big life changes. We just need to move through them intentionally. By being aware of our own needs and adapting to soften big changes as much as possible, we can keep our calm centre.
