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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:14:13 GMT
I'm having a really rough time and I need some suggestions on how to deal with it. I'm an extrovert. I'm used to interacting with people everyday at work and I'm working from home all but 1 day a week. And when I'm there I love being there but I am pretty much working with 3 other people. Although I enjoy being there on days when I am.
I have during covid turned to social media for interaction. Mostly Facebook and here. I get overwhelmed when there are a lot of posts here. So I check the dinner thread and the craft thread on the regular because I don't want to miss any of the conversation because I'm seriously craving conversation and human connection. But I can see how my social media usage is interfering with my concentration.
How do you protect yourself from covid yet get the amount of interaction you need without the constant disruption that is social media? I've thought about taking a social media break. But I fear it because I cannot imagine the level of depression I might feel if I have to deal with being cut off from what little interaction I do have with people.
So hit me with suggestions. What are some processes I can put in my life to get my fill of people without having to check my phone every half hour and disrupting the actual things I am doing all day. And yes, feel free to tell me just how bad for me the social media usage is. This post can totally be a discussion of that too. I find it interesting. I'm just having a harder time focusing on the tasks I need to accomplish because I'm so people deprived.
I even invited my MIL and SIL to dinner last night just because I had tried to invite like 4 other people and all of them were busy (it was a good weekend to move college kids so many of our friends were doing that). I needed to see people that badly though.
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Post by busy on Aug 29, 2021 20:18:18 GMT
I don’t know if you have a dog but the dog park has been a freakin’ social life saver for this extrovert during Covid.
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 29, 2021 20:19:19 GMT
Do you have friends you could message?
I have a squad from work. We haven't really seen each other since the last day of school, but we message each other as a group and have random conversations that way.
Personally, I've done paint and sip at the library (we are spaced apart)
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:20:53 GMT
I don’t know if you have a dog but the dog park has been a freakin’ social life saver for this extrovert during Covid. I do have two dogs. But my big dog is a pitbull. We keep her away from other dogs because I get so many negative comments about her. She lives with two cats and a Chihuahua so she's very gentle but I know if something were to happen she would end it and then be blamed. I'm very careful about who I expose my dog to. That was a great suggestion though. Maybe it will help someone else in my shoes |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:25:41 GMT
Do you have friends you could message? I have a squad from work. We haven't really seen each other since the last day of school, but we message each other as a group and have random conversations that way. Personally, I've done paint and sip at the library (we are spaced apart) Maybe I could phone a friend each day. I could pick a different one each day and just reach out. I think talking on the phone might be better to give it more of a personal connection. |
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955 
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Aug 29, 2021 20:25:45 GMT
This probably won't be very helpful, because I am as far from being an introvert as it is possible to be. But sometimes while I am working my online job, I like to have a talky radio station on in the background. It isn't enough to distract me from the work, but the sound of voices is just enough companionship for me. No interaction, obviously, but it's like having people around without the pressure of actually having them here.
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Post by voltagain on Aug 29, 2021 20:31:25 GMT
I am an introvert and even I had difficult days. I send my coworking friend a zoom link every day. I set the "meeting" for 8 hours. We can then zoom with each other through out the day much like office drop in visits.
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Post by yodutchess on Aug 29, 2021 20:31:27 GMT
I do group exercise at the gym. We chat before, during and after class.
I just retired, so I lost my daytime people to talk to.
I have been reading random threads on reddit, in addition to here.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:32:26 GMT
This probably won't be very helpful, because I am as far from being an introvert as it is possible to be. But sometimes while I am working my online job, I like to have a talky radio station on in the background. It isn't enough to distract me from the work, but the sound of voices is just enough companionship for me. No interaction, obviously, but it's like having people around without the pressure of actually having them here. This is a good idea. But it can't be news. I've had my fill of news lately.  News just seems to be adding to my discontent. |
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Post by katlady on Aug 29, 2021 20:33:21 GMT
Is there someone you can go where there are people around like the mall, a walkable downtown area, a popular park, an outdoor eatery, etc.?
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:34:26 GMT
I am an introvert and even I had difficult days. I send my coworking friend a zoom link every day. I set the "meeting" for 8 hours. We can then zoom with each other through out the day much like office drop in visits. This is a good idea too. Thank you. |
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Post by freecharlie on Aug 29, 2021 20:39:36 GMT
This probably won't be very helpful, because I am as far from being an introvert as it is possible to be. But sometimes while I am working my online job, I like to have a talky radio station on in the background. It isn't enough to distract me from the work, but the sound of voices is just enough companionship for me. No interaction, obviously, but it's like having people around without the pressure of actually having them here. This is a good idea. But it can't be news. I've had my fill of news lately. News just seems to be adding to my discontent. what about a podcast? |
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Post by busy on Aug 29, 2021 20:40:54 GMT
I don’t know if you have a dog but the dog park has been a freakin’ social life saver for this extrovert during Covid. I do have two dogs. But my big dog is a pitbull. We keep her away from other dogs because I get so many negative comments about her. She lives with two cats and a Chihuahua so she's very gentle but I know if something were to happen she would end it and then be blamed. I'm very careful about who I expose my dog to. That was a great suggestion though. Maybe it will help someone else in my shoes Pit bulls are welcomed at my local dog park. People who bring them are aware of the reputation so don’t bring them unless they’re impeccably mannered. I’ve yet to see I’m cause problems and I’m there twice a day almost every day. Huskies are the ones everyone avoids |
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Aug 29, 2021 20:41:58 GMT
This probably won't be very helpful, because I am as far from being an introvert as it is possible to be. But sometimes while I am working my online job, I like to have a talky radio station on in the background. It isn't enough to distract me from the work, but the sound of voices is just enough companionship for me. No interaction, obviously, but it's like having people around without the pressure of actually having them here. This is a good idea. But it can't be news. I've had my fill of news lately. News just seems to be adding to my discontent. Yeah, definitely NOT news. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 20:42:31 GMT
This is a good idea. But it can't be news. I've had my fill of news lately. News just seems to be adding to my discontent. what about a podcast? Podcasts would work. I always put one on when I'm getting ready for sleep. I listen to wind down for the evening. Then I switch over to reiki music and do that until I fall asleep. |
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Post by snugglebutter on Aug 29, 2021 20:47:27 GMT
Do you know anyone who might do Voxer (audio messages) with you? I haven't used it personally but I have friends that like it for keeping in touch with friends who they would rather talk to than text.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Aug 29, 2021 20:51:38 GMT
I highly suggest finding some outdoor activities that are covid safer and put them on your calendar. For me, I have set appointments with 2 different friends to walk every week. I've done it throughout the pandemic and it has been incredibly helpful. I also have another friend I get together with ever few weeks for drinks on our patio.
My daughter went further, and you need to figure out your own risk profile for both covid and your mental health. She is a hard core extrovert and suffered greatly at her university when they went shelter in place and she was in her room 24/7 for 10 days. When she came home she picked a few friends including her boyfriend to create a bubble and socialized with them. They're all vaccinated and they try and be very cautious outside their bubble with masks etc. If you can find just a friend or two that you know is also very covid cautious, perhaps you can get comfortable interacting in person with them.
Best of luck to you - this has been very hard for many and as wonderful as technology is - it really isn't a substitute for extroverts.
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Post by leannec on Aug 29, 2021 20:59:26 GMT
Wanna trade jobs? I'm a teacher and so over-peopled it isn't even funny  Seriously though, I think this introvert has no suggestions but you have already been given some great ones!  I hope you find some that work for you  |
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kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,597
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Aug 29, 2021 21:06:46 GMT
Another vote for finding a walking friend! I started going with a neighbor every morning. We walk until we hit 10k steps, then we go home. It's been SUPER helpful to me as an extrovert!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 29, 2021 21:12:10 GMT
For your situation, phone calls are probably your most realistic option for something that both (A) fits in your work day easily and (B) satisfies a need for *interaction* not just noise. I have one friend and a son who telework and I get fairly frequent brief calls from both. I know they can only talk a minute or so and may have to cut the call off abruptly if things come up, but I'm okay with that. Hey, wanna call me too?!? I'm really good at that format already!
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Post by Merge on Aug 29, 2021 21:15:08 GMT
My husband, the extrovert, often meets up with a friend or two for an outdoor happy hour after work.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Aug 29, 2021 21:43:49 GMT
For your situation, phone calls are probably your most realistic option for something that both (A) fits in your work day easily and (B) satisfies a need for *interaction* not just noise. I have one friend and a son who telework and I get fairly frequent brief calls from both. I know they can only talk a minute or so and may have to cut the call off abruptly if things come up, but I'm okay with that. Hey, wanna call me too?!? I'm really good at that format already! Well yes I think you should make yourself available for me to call you periodically throughout the day! Lol! |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Aug 29, 2021 21:53:17 GMT
Not an extrovert at all but I “talk” to a friend through FB messenger. She runs a daycare in her home so can’t talk on the phone but this works as she can check when the kids are napping and such. Some days we talk more than others but it’s nice. You leave a message and the other can answer when they see it. Sometimes we are on at the same time which is nice but others not. That’s more likely after work but we t helps me feel a bit more connected. We have been doing this since we moved 7 years ago. I’m not a fan of the phone as the timing usually isn’t right and this works better.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Aug 29, 2021 21:55:29 GMT
Do you know anyone who might do Voxer (audio messages) with you? I haven't used it personally but I have friends that like it for keeping in touch with friends who they would rather talk to than text. we could talk this way? I know we text a lot but it would work. I sometimes don’t know what to write and my reading comprehension is terrible at the best of times. Talking I can do. |
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 29, 2021 22:04:49 GMT
I'm having a really rough time and I need some suggestions on how to deal with it. I'm an extrovert. I'm used to interacting with people everyday at work and I'm working from home all but 1 day a week. And when I'm there I love being there but I am pretty much working with 3 other people. Although I enjoy being there on days when I am. I have during covid turned to social media for interaction. Mostly Facebook and here. I get overwhelmed when there are a lot of posts here. So I check the dinner thread and the craft thread on the regular because I don't want to miss any of the conversation because I'm seriously craving conversation and human connection. But I can see how my social media usage is interfering with my concentration. How do you protect yourself from covid yet get the amount of interaction you need without the constant disruption that is social media? I've thought about taking a social media break. But I fear it because I cannot imagine the level of depression I might feel if I have to deal with being cut off from what little interaction I do have with people. So hit me with suggestions. What are some processes I can put in my life to get my fill of people without having to check my phone every half hour and disrupting the actual things I am doing all day. And yes, feel free to tell me just how bad for me the social media usage is. This post can totally be a discussion of that too. I find it interesting. I'm just having a harder time focusing on the tasks I need to accomplish because I'm so people deprived. I even invited my MIL and SIL to dinner last night just because I had tried to invite like 4 other people and all of them were busy (it was a good weekend to move college kids so many of our friends were doing that). I needed to see people that badly though. When I’m overwhelmed I walk. Spread a blanket in the yard and stare at the sky. Get out into nature. Or I’ll make our bed, pile up my pillows and get a throw blanket, a beverage, a book and I’ll either read, watch a movie, or iPad. I sometimes struggle being without adult communication (work is not the same because I pretty much work away from everyone else) I try calling my siblings, my adult nieces/nephews to chat or visit and they’re always too busy. I crave that relaxed, personal, more intimate connection. I usually end up outside, or crafting. |
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Post by Linda on Aug 29, 2021 23:27:51 GMT
can you join the online crops/chats with the scrapbooking peas? I've only managed to join once - and as an introvert, it was a little overwhelming - but seems like it might be a nice way to chat and craft (or just chat). I'm planning to try again myself
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used2scrap
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,097
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Post by used2scrap on Aug 29, 2021 23:29:04 GMT
As an extreme introvert I don’t have any real helpful suggestions, but I do want you to know I’m sorry you are struggling.
The only advice I can think of is to actually personally reach out a message someone on social media, start a real conversation instead of just liking and scrolling. I don’t know if that could be helpful.
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Post by dewryce on Aug 29, 2021 23:33:12 GMT
Do you have friends you could message? I have a squad from work. We haven't really seen each other since the last day of school, but we message each other as a group and have random conversations that way. Personally, I've done paint and sip at the library (we are spaced apart) Maybe I could phone a friend each day. I could pick a different one each day and just reach out. I think talking on the phone might be better to give it more of a personal connection. If you zoom/Skype/FaceTime a friend or small group that might be even better. BFF even figured out how we could watch a movie together over zoom. I miss her face! So just a phone call isn’t the same for me. I’m sorry this is affecting you so (((hugs))). |
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paget
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Posts: 7,110
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Aug 29, 2021 23:35:36 GMT
What about like a zoom craft time? Like some friends could get on and be doing any kind of craft like scrap or crochet and just chat? I am an introvert but I could possibly get into that type of format if there were multiple people so it didn’t feel like “pressure” to always be talking. Lol Don’t get me wrong, I can talk nonstop but only if I am comfortable and feel like it etc.
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Post by scrapmaven on Aug 29, 2021 23:37:21 GMT
Zoom was my lifesaver during the pandemic. When I couldn't go to a store or see anyone in person I could zoom chat w/my girlfriends. IT made a huge difference in my mental health. I rarely go to FB, because I have nothing new to add to my story and don't like the hacking that takes place. Can you connect w/your friends online or do socially distanced meetups at an outside venue? I meet 3 of my mom friends at the local parks. We sit in our soccer chairs 8 ft apart and yak away. In my case, I'm high risk, so I take more precautions than the average bear needs to take.
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News just seems to be adding to my discontent.
