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Covid

Any introverts feeling a bit apprehensive about lockdown ending?

17 replies

Opoly54 · 26/05/2020 18:14

Parts of this have been tough-DH is a keyworker so I’ve been at home with the DC while he works really long hours however the introvert in me has loved it! Now things are starting to go back to normal I’m feeling stressed at the thought of everyone wanting to meet up again, we only get Sunday’s all together as a family and every one will be taken up with the expectation of attending BBQ’s and garden parties for god knows how long! I know how ridiculous I sound but if the kids could go back to school and I could return to work I’d be quite happy for everything else to stay the same!

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ComtesseDeSpair · 26/05/2020 18:18

Why do you have to change? Honest question. If you really don’t want to see people you can just say you’re all still going to remain cautious and avoid socialising until there’s a vaccine available, for your own health and that of older family members.

I don’t understand your mentality but I really don’t think it’s going to be that big of a deal to make your excuses and stay isolated. Many others will be doing the same either because they have to or want to.

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LordEmsworth · 26/05/2020 18:20

No.

I mean, don't get me wrong, it is nice to be able to be at home and know there's no pressure to socialise. But... I like my family and friends. I want to see them!

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Dondevastu · 26/05/2020 18:22

I agree op. I find it physically draining having to meet up. I do miss people but other aspects I dont miss at all

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Opoly54 · 26/05/2020 19:06

That’s the thing-I love my friends, I love my family and whenever we meet up I always enjoy it but I’m happier at home. I also have a health condition that’s quite challenging to manage so that adds stress to all social situations.

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Rojelio · 26/05/2020 19:10

Yeah aspects of this have been hard, but I enjoy my own company and that of my family, I find it nice not worrying if someone will just pop in.
My DH is opposite though and usually most weekends he wants to arrange for people to come round or us to visits others , I do it and do enjoy seeing ppl but really if it was down to me I'd just stay home and get some jobs done while he visited but I know that would appear rude.
I do want things to get going again now though.

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Meruem · 26/05/2020 19:14

Then do what makes you happy. I have lost count of the number of times in my life I have been “pressured” into doing things I don’t want to do. I finally realised a while ago that I don’t have to keep doing that. Pre lockdown I had started saying no to things and it was fine, and the relief I felt was huge.

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BlessYourCottonSocks · 26/05/2020 19:14

I can empathise to a certain extent. I have realised that there are very few things I miss in the 'normal' world and people are certainly not one of them. People think I'm an extrovert because I'm cheerful and certainly not shy, but actually I prefer my own company and peace and quiet to doing the social rounds.

However, I am also quite good at politely refusing invitations and think I'll be doing a lot more of that once we get back to a more normal lifestyle. I'm quite keen to preserve as much of my 'home bubble' as I can.

I'm happy to go back to work, but am intending to spend my weekends not socialising.

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PorpentiaScamander · 26/05/2020 19:15

Yep and "just not meeting up" isnt that easy
My family apply a lot of pressure to 'fit in'.

I did hope that the anxiety/depression people* have been feeling at being locked down would make them more understanding of how I always feel. But nope. I've already been told by a family member I need to "stop being stupid and start going out" Sad

*by people, I mean my family. And I have nothing but empathy for the mh issues this lockdown has caused. But I wish they would realise that some of us feel like that all the time. Actually some of us feel better with lockdown.

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Drivingdownthe101 · 26/05/2020 19:16

Can’t you just decline? I only go to thing I want to go to.

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Opoly54 · 26/05/2020 19:20

How do you decline without offending people though? It would cause huge fallouts in the family if I just said ‘no I don’t want to see you’. I don’t want to lose my friends either. Usually I space invitations out so we do get down time but I just know that everyone will want to meet up straight away. I’ve definitely got issues asserting myself.

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DilysMoon · 26/05/2020 19:26

Yes a little, apart from home schooling 3 kids at completely different stages I've quite enjoyed lockdown.

I'm still working 1 day a week as a keyworker, still seen parents and close friends as they're local and we sometimes stop to wave/say hi on our walks. Had zoom chats with others periodically. I'm definitely keeping things lower key when this all ends, we're all a lot happier here being less busy and with less interaction and demands on our time/mental energy.

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Bumble84 · 26/05/2020 19:33

Yeah I feel ya OP. Pre lockdown when I had a weekend of just me and DH and no plans I relished in it.

I don’t think a lot of people can understand that mentality. Even after I have a zoom call with friends I have to spend a lot of time decompressing afterwards because of the stimulation. I love my friends but spending time with a lot of other people can get exhausting.

I don’t know how to say no either. Its expected that if you have nothing else on then you are available and have to say yes. Unfortunately ‘I just want to stay at home with myself’ isn’t classed as having plans!

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Mojitomogul · 26/05/2020 19:33

Yes I agree!! Such a strange feeling isnt it. Enjoy most things when I'm there ...but just dont want to have to go to loads.. hard to say no as its family and friends who will be like huh why you not coming. Think I'm an introverted extrovert, bit of both! Luckily I'm hoping it will be a slow opening of places and things so it wont feel like too much too soon

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TheGreatWave · 26/05/2020 19:42

In some aspects, yes. As much as Zoom is the most annoying thing on earth, when on it today for a meeting I realised how nice it was that I could be part of a meeting but not actually have to participate or make small talk.

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BlessYourCottonSocks · 28/05/2020 12:45

OP - you need the life changing magic of not giving a fuck! It will help you.

Watch this:

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whatisforteamum · 28/05/2020 17:30

Yes OP I agree.I have loved everything just stopping.I can say the anxiety is slightly rising.I don't meet up with people I politely decline.The fear of missing out is forced on me by others.
The lockdown has taken the pressure off completely.

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BlusteryLake · 28/05/2020 17:50

I think lots of people will make changes to their lifestyles after this, be that spending less, travelling less, working from home more, etc. It is your perogative to keep a reduced number of social occasions if you want to.

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