How To Actually Enjoy Staying Home All The Time, From An Introvert

As my circle and I have been checking in with each other throughout this unfolding coronavirus pandemic, my introverts acknowledge—apart from the panic buying and health-related fears—staying in has been pretty awesome.

Can't go to bars and clubs? No biggie. Working from home? Yes, please. With COVID-19, staying in, quarantining, and working from home is becoming the new normal. In a somewhat facetious way, we are living in a germaphobic, introverted, creative person's dream world.

Think of it like this: You have access to people all around the world, without even having to travel! Traveling to and from a location not only takes up a large portion of time, but it also incinerates energy. You save on both time and energy by staying home and doing all your work and social meetings online. All I need is a five-minute buffer between appointments to debrief from one meeting, jot down my goals and intentions for the next, and repeat the process. With minimal interruptions, I'm actually profiting on both time and energy. 

This applies to fitness, too. When I have 15-minute breaks between appointments, I slot in kettlebell swings and pushups—the only equipment I own is one kettlebell and my bodyweight. As for running? I just put on my shoes, and off I go. No need to travel to the gym.

Whether it's a makeshift office or a space for self-care, try to create separate zones in your home. That way, you'll avoid working from the comfort of your bed, no matter how tempting. Working from the bedroom can exacerbate insomnia and lead to poor sleep quality, all of which can also increase personal relationship issues. (When you're exhausted, you're cranky!)

I'm a clinical psychologist, but I’ll admit I probably spend more time studying apartment therapy than psychotherapy. I’m a sucker for creating beautiful spaces. Like many house-proud introverts, I love staying in because my apartment is welcoming and beautiful—even if all I have is 550 square feet. 

In his book The Power of When, sleep expert Michael Breus, Ph.D., says that in order to function best, we have to consider our sleep appetites and body clocks. So whether you're an early bird or a night owl, you should adjust your working hours accordingly.

During times of economic downturn, there's opportunity for entrepreneurship and innovation. Consider tapping into this extra time on your hands with that business idea that you've been sitting on for some time. "There's never been a better time for you to step up and lead," business strategist Selena Soo tells mbg. "After the impact of what's happening right now, we'll see more services, education, entertainment, and connections online."

Let's get one thing straight: Being an introvert means you need to withdraw to recharge. This is not the same as having social anxiety, nor is it the same as being a misanthropist (aka an anti-people person). I love the people in my circle—they energize me, and we know that isolation is terrible for mental health.

To combat that, I schedule in loads of "people time." I just do so in small groups or one-on-one sessions with the people I choose to give my time and energy to.

If you're in a country that's practicing social distancing, the best means is to connect virtually. A computer screen shouldn't change your ability to be vulnerable, share your concerns, or laugh about shared memories. If you're in a country where the spread is relatively contained, and the people you spend time with are socially responsible and practice good hygiene, then you might be able to connect in person. Otherwise, stick to virtual hangouts.