Brenda Lyle – Florida Today

Q: How can I enjoy the holidays as an introvert?

A: For many people, the holidays spell FUN— filled with sparkly lights, shopping and parties galore. But introverts are not in love with the overload of social connection, and often approach the season with a sense of dread. Sound familiar?  Read on!

Introvert Energy

Misconceptions about introverts abound. Not all introverts are shy or anxious, just as all extroverts are not overbearing or aggressive. Many people are a mix of both personality types. What’s really different is the source of personal energy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, introverts “feel the most comfortable and thrive in their alone time.” Conversely, “People, places, things —extroverts tend to draw their energy from the outside world.” Introvert characteristics include natural listeners who enjoy alone time, avoid conflict, consider things carefully and are creative.

Holiday Social Whirl

It’s perfectly OKAY to decline invitations you’d rather not attend. When possible, choose smaller gatherings that suit your personality. Focus on the events that matter most to you and release any guilt for skipping others. When you accept an invitation, let the host know you may be staying for a limited period. This gives you the freedom to enjoy the event for only as long as you want. For a fun alternative, consider sitting at the “kids’ table” during family meals. Avoiding small talk (a common introvert challenge) might mean refreshing, unexpected conversations with the younger set! Or host your own quiet get-together, where the environment feels more meaningful and less draining.

State Your Preferences

Be open with friends and loved ones about your preferences for holiday events. Most people will understand once they’re aware of your needs. If you are hosting a known introvert, leave some interesting books on the coffee table—it provides an opportunity for the introvert to have some quiet time and can serve as a conversation starter.

Focus on Meaning

Maximize holiday enjoyment by focusing on traditions that resonate with you. Decorate your home at your own pace, listen to favorite holiday music, or watch treasured films. Grant yourself permission to spend the holidays alone or with just a few close companions–whatever brings you the most peace. Introverts recharge when they are alone, so take time for blissful solitude. Reflect, relax and enjoy the quiet moments that make the season special for you.

When all is said and done, you have to set the terms of holiday self-care. Engage in activities that suit your energy levels and connect in meaningful ways. Be up front about your preferences. Senior or teen, you can learn to navigate the holidays with greater self-understanding, making them a source of true peace and joy.

Brenda Lyle is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Practitioner with One Senior Place, Greater Orlando. One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Submit your questions to AskOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com. For immediate help, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.