If you’re a quiet type like me, you might have asked yourself, “what do introverts do for fun”? After all, we introverts aren’t exactly known for being party animals.

We’re more likely to seek solitude than thrills. This leaves a lot of introverts feeling like we’re not fun enough. I’ve definitely felt that way.

Can introverts be fun?

For a long time I felt pressure to do activities that other people (mostly extroverts) thought were a blast.

The problem was that these activities often felt draining to me. Things like drinking, partying, amusement parks and concerts really took it out of me.

Sometimes, I’d end up having a good time, but I didn’t really look forward to those kinds of activities. I also needed a lot of recharge time afterwards. 

As I got older and learned to embrace my introversion, I started asking myself what is fun for ME. Answering that question meant looking at the word fun differently.

Most people think fun is defined by excitement and thrills. But according to dictionary.com the definition of fun is “enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure.”

If I think of fun in terms of pleasure I can be more honest with myself about what I truly enjoy. 

Asking myself the below questions helps too.

What activities do I actually look forward to?

What activities energize me? 

What would I do if other people’s opinions and judgments didn’t matter? 

What introverts do for fun

Some activities that I enjoy as an introvert include:

• Reading: It’s a joy to brew a cup of tea, find a cozy corner and escape into a good book.
• Creative projects: Creativity is the ultimate form of fun for an INFP like me. I love to express myself through writing, singing and dancing.
• Time in nature: Spending time in nature is a relaxing form of fun that allows introverts to recharge as we play.
• Self-education: Like many introverts, I love learning new things. Online courses, self-help books and TED Talks keep my mind buzzing with fresh perspectives.
• Sewing and crafting: I’ll admit I’m not the most crafty person, but for a while I took up sewing and I LOVED it. It was a pleasure to get in a flow state as I sewed into the wee hours of the night.

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of sensory activities like massages, saunas, baths, and hot yoga. 

I’ve realized that, unlike a lot of my hobbies (writing, singing, dancing, standup comedy), relaxing sensory activities don’t require much effort on my part.

They aren’t about improving myself, or performing in some way. Instead, they provide an opportunity for me to receive and ‘fill my cup’. 

They also leave me feeling energized and joyful. 

I’ve started asking friends to join me on my sensory adventures. The other day a girlfriend and I went to a day spa to do a circuit of steam rooms and saunas. 

In the past, I’ve gone with friends to a local rec center to swim and use the hot tub and sauna. It’s a great way to connect without having to talk the whole time. As a fellow introvert I’m sure you can appreciate the value in that!

 All this is to say that we can make our own definition of fun as introverts. And we can do activities with friends that we truly find enjoyable—rather than forcing ourselves to endure the extrovert’s version of fun. For some introverted teens, a residential treatment center can provide a structured space to explore fun activities while focusing on their recovery and developing new social skills in a low-pressure environment.  

So, what does fun look like to you? 

Feel free to share in the comments. And for more insights on how to have fun and make friends on your own introverted terms, be sure to grab my free guide:

Download my Introvert Connection Guide

You’ll get 7 steps to make real friends, even if you’re quiet and hate small talk.

Xo,

Michaela