As an introvert, you can feel like a bucket of water with a hole in the bottom—always feeling drained unless you fix the leak.
Have you ever wished you had the energy of an extrovert? Me too.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt like I’ve been trying to get 100 percent from a 50 percent charged battery. I never understood how other people could juggle full time work, family responsibilities, social life, exercise and hobbies without burnout.
Discover how introverts recharge differently From extroverts, it brought me a real way to play. The whole time I thought it was my fault because I couldn’t keep up with those around me. Turns out I was fighting the wrong battle with the wrong weapons all along. I tried to achieve the impossible – to be something I am not.
I’m finally starting to see my energy levels as they should be succeeded rather than recorded. Being an introvert isn’t a bug—it’s a personality trait that comes with many benefits. Here are seven methods and philosophies that help me I manage my energy level as an introvertand I hope they help too.
7 ways to maximize your energy as an introvert
1. Don’t compare yourself to extroverts (because they get energy in different ways).
If you try to keep up with an extrovert, you’re running an impossible race. Extroverts get their energy from spending more time spent with peopleno less. This gives them an automatic advantage when it comes to maximizing their time.
One of my best friends is a textbook extrovert. You can easily juggle your full-time job while still having enough energy to socialize after work. He could pack his weekends with day trips, concerts, and family meals, and still not show up to work on Monday tired.
Why? Because socialization and stimuli invigorate it. My boyfriend wants company – he gets bored when his planner isn’t full. Spending time alone literally drains you.
As an introvert, we are not wired the sameand that’s it All right. We just have to find ways to work with instead of our energy against that.
2. Make yourself a priority – practice saying no to things more.
Your needs are just as important as anyone else’s. Many people (especially if they are extroverts) do not understand how introverts recharge. That’s fine, but not everyone needs to understand. I have to the energy level of your budget it doesn’t make you selfish or uninterested.
Sometimes I feel guilty that I don’t get to see my friends as often as I’d like. I am a recovering philanthropistand I hate letting others down. I had to reprogram my brain to realize iit’s not selfish to say no. It’s actually healthy.
Life is demanding. We all have responsibilities and obligations to which we must devote time and energy. As an introvert, if you’re not careful, you can feel like a bucket of water with a hole in the bottom. No matter how full your life is, you will always feel drained unless you fix the leak.
3. Don’t overcrowd your schedule – instead, plan time to relax.
It’s tempting to use a day off as an excuse to cram as much as possible.
“Hmm… I have the day off tomorrow. Maybe I could swing by and see my grandma while I meet my friends for coffee. I still have time to work out, call my cousin, and work on my side before I meet my boyfriend for dinner.”
This kind of schedule wouldn’t be a problem for an extrovert, but it might be for introverts express way to burnout. Socializing is not a way for introverts to recharge, so we need to actively schedule rest and activities that rejuvenate us.
In his belt book, The science of introvertsPeter Hollins suggests that while most people make plans based on availabilityintroverts should make plans based on that energy consumption. He claims that “Just because you have free time doesn’t mean you have to use it. You can think of it as a Tetris game that requires some creative energy.
Do you ever struggle to know what to say?
Someone asks, “Why are you so quiet?” A co-worker corners me when you are exhausted. A friend strives to plan you don’t have the energy for it.
Later he thinks I wish I had said something.
I’ve been there too. That’s why I created it Confident introverted scripts.
That’s over 150 ready-to-use phrases time spent alone, protection of boundaries, energies, social life, etc. The guide is provided by feedback from therapists and introverted colleagues to make sure it really helps when your mind goes blank.
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4. Find out what activities rejuvenate you, then do more of them.
Introversion and ambition are not always a harmonious combination.
The ambitious side of me likes to save my time, to use every free minute to achieve something (like the example above). Even when I should be resting, I constantly fight the urge to do something productive – my mind is very alert to new ideas, inspiration and knowledge.
The problem is that constant stimulation cannot be maintained. As an introvert, energy is my most valuable commodity. Balancing the conflicting aspects of my natural makeup is not an easy challenge, but this was the solution for me make sure I get enough downtime. Alone time is a way for introverts to recharge, and in order to thrive, we need to make decompression a priority.
Take the time to figure out what activities rejuvenate you and give your brain a chance to recharge. Try to be fully present without mentally multitasking. For example, when watching a movie, allow yourself to be completely immersed in the story without worrying about your to-do list. The same goes for reading a book or writing a journal. Practice presence and true recharge through these relaxing activities.
5. Schedule enough alone time – you don’t want an ‘introvert hangover’.
Time alone is like oxygen to introverts; without it we wither like a flower in the shade.
Unlike extroverts introverts are easily exhausted in social interaction. Socializing uses energy because it involves a lot of listening, talking, and concentration. Even a one-on-one conversation or being alone in a public place can be exhausting for an introvert.
As Hollins says in his book, “The introvert’s battery drains quickly when they are in an environment that requires a lot of interaction. Their social battery only recovers when they spend enough time without the company of others, in the confines of their private space, doing things that don’t require contact with the outside world.”
If I don’t have enough time to be alone, a “introverted hangover” sets in quickly: I feel tired, unfocused, overwhelmed and emotional.. I resemble a bear who wants to curl up, hide and hibernate until I recharge, ready to face the world again.
It is not always possible to avoid social burnoutbut sometimes the effect can be reduced. Nowadays, if I know I’m facing a busy period in my life, I actively allocate time alone. For example, if I know I’ll be socializing a lot over the holidays, I don’t over schedule myself. I create a buffer of alone time around other commitments so that I can relax and maintain my energy.
6. Manage your social battery and try to do introvert-friendly activities with others.
Everyone needs to socialize, even those of us who are introverts. My friends and family – the ones who “get” me. – they are very important to me and I enjoy spending time with them. The tricky part is finding ways to spend time together that don’t drain my social battery too much.
For example, I avoid going to parties, bars and clubs as much as possible. Instead, I suggest introvert friendly activities i know they will like it too, like eating, walking, watching movies, etc. Watching movies is a good way to spend quality time together while also being able to relax. This way you can share common experiences without too much social strain.
Setting time limits for social activities can also help prevent introvert burnout. In my case, three hours is usually enough for a good meal and a meeting with friends. If I spend a full day with someone, I make sure I have some “rest time” for the next day.
Socializing on alternate weekends also helps keep my energy levels balanced. For example, if I have a difficult weekend in my social life, I try to plan a “rest and recharge” weekend for the following week.
7. Personalize your life as much as possible.
When it comes to life, one size fits all not goes with everything. Some people wake up at 5am every day, but that doesn’t work for me. Early awakening it just makes me tired and unable to function properly for the rest of the day. Instead, I let myself wake up naturally (usually around 8am).
I used to beat myself up about how I was lazy, for not being able to keep up with the world of online miscreants churning out content like a 24-hour factory. It was liberating for me to realize that I was an introvert. I’ve learned to accept the things I can’t change and embrace my natural traits – thinking things through, being organized, being an attentive listener, being creative and so on.
And now I’m creating an interesting career to work around my energy levels. I am learning to balance social life and rejuvenation. And most of all, I’m learning not to be too hard on myself. Do I prefer an extroverted energy level? Hell yeah! But there are also a lot of great things about being an introvert that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
If you have any tips or strategies for maximizing your energy as an introvert, please share them with me in the comments section below. 
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