Has lockdown turned us into introverts?

[NannySEN]

Now that things are getting back to normal ish, I feel like I’m missing out if I say no to plans. But, as much as I’m jealous of seeing everybody’s fun plastered all over Instagram, I don’t seem to have any interest in meeting up with anyone. It seems like such an effort to get dressed up now whereas I used to love it. A friend asked me to go meet her for a coffee in two weeks time and honestly I just felt like saying no. At the same time, I’m incredibly bored so really need some social interaction, not sure what’s going on! Maybe lockdown has turned me into an introvert. Anyone else?

I was always an introvert and and quite the recluse.

But this has made me examine my people pleasing and I’ve spent a lot of time this year being happy that I’m not “expected” to want to socialise.

For example, SIL hen do coming up, just a bbq. I have no interest or intention of going. But before, I would have got the invite, said “oh lovely, thank you!” And spent the next month dreading how I was going to get out of it before making an excuse not to go the day before and feeling shit.

This time I just said, “thank you so much but I won’t make it - have a wonderful day.” Much better to say that than let her down closer to the time.

If anything it's made me realise how much I love people. I make much more effort to connect with other people when I go out now. I have introvert tendencies but I'm usually completely different at work and with my (carefully selected) social group so I wonder if this might change. I've also missed being closer to people. I loathe this suspicion of others, the insinuation that we are all 'diseased'. When I saw my best friend last, she held my hand a lot which still makes me feel tearful now.

This is exactly how I feel OP.

I used to be quite shy in my teen years but after putting lots of effort into being more outgoing (fake it till you make it) 😂 I ended up quite extroverted, now I've gone back to how I used to be at 15.

I do feel a little bit left out that I'm not rushing off to see my friends and meet up at a the pub but at the same time I really can't be bothered with it all. I have lots of good friends at work and hated wfh at first but now I love it and I'm honestly dreading having to go back to my office.

I can relate to this - have a couple of big-ish social events coming up and feel really anxious about them
I think for me it’s sort of lack of practice and the old ‘covid stone’ isn’t helping 😂

I think some of us have just got a bit lazy. And perhaps the isolation has kicked off low level depression. I think it's important to maintain connection with people. Not hundreds of them if that's not your thing, but honest, authentic relationships in the real world.

I can never say this IRL as I'll get lambasted for this but I think the last year has done wonders for my mental health.

I no longer am criticised for being 'unprofessional' if I choose not to wear makeup/heels at work (I mainly do mathematical modelling so it's not even a client facing role) due to WFH and masks, and I no longer feel obliged to go on all sorts of night outs that invariably involve plenty of alcohol. Instead, I'm now able to spend every weekend by myself cycling and drinking coffee, and I get to spend the weekdays working in the peace and silence of my own home. I have also come to the conclusion that, aside from 2 of my dearest friends and my sister + parents, I could 'lose contact' with everyone else I know and my life would not be any worse off because of it! It's like a lovely dream.

No. I can't wait to meet up with people. I am going out twice this week, and can't wait to wear nice clothes and make up again.

Cabin fever is really getting to me.

I am exactly the same. I am mildly extra very but can’t be bothered anymore. At the same time I have a sinking feeling that I am missing out!

I think before lock down l was out everyday and very overstretched so I’m just trying to find a happy balance. At the moment, I probably stay in 2-3 days a week.

Yes. Supposed to be seeing people tomorrow snd feel irritable and unsettled. Social anxiety has got worse in spades. Have come off social media and makes me realise that I don't need to see it and how few real friends I have in terms of frequent contact. I feel really down at the moment about it all.

I want to go out and about everywhere again...but only with the family I've been cooped up with for a year. I struggle to know where to begin talking with new people or catching up with old friends. I'm making myself do it but I feel like I've lost the social skills.

It hard thinking of something to talk about now too even with close friends because I've barely left the house for the last 14 months