#introvert advice

a dream because i’m away from home and i can be independent

a nightmare because i have a roommate, i am constantly surrounded by people no matter where I am and I have no alone time to myself which i value a lot. Along with my ADHD it is definitely something, I have found ways that have helped me and could potentially help anyone else that deals with this type of problem. Even if it isn’t for college specifically, it’s just some good tips.

• headphones

dude….these are lifesavers. i am always walking around with headphones on or earbuds. i just got me some over the head headphones which are really nice and noise cancel just the right amount that it doesn’t make my head explode and hurt. And does a good job of telling people “i’m busy” and also helps keep me focused whenever i’m doing any work or projects for my classes.

• Calender/notebook planner

OKAY. BEFORE YOU GROAN HEAR ME OUT. I hate planners. like LOATHE THEM. But I wanted to try something new so I would have a spot where I could just slap all my homework and stuff in, I found Notion which is a calendar thingy that you can customize and make it all cool and whatever and there’s templates you can use. i don’t remember which one I used but it’s a plant one that had a bunch of pixel art and was for university.

I like putting in the work to put each and everything in to the calendar as it makes me want to use it more. and I get to look at things i like, for example I had a ghibli themed this past semester which made me happy. And for the new semester I changed it to a Zelda theme. This has made me more motivated to do work as well.

I had everyone tell me “oh use google calendar” NO. no. it’s boring. it looks plain, i need to be looking at things i like and Notion works for me. but I do know some people who just straight up use the Canvas calendar

• boundaries

yep. boundaries. it’s a necessity, I had to learn that very quickly since i am constantly around people. If you are getting fed up with someone. set that boundary. or anything really, set the boundary

sometimes I will go into an empty classroom that i know has no classes going on at the time and i will sit in there and just be alone for a while. it’s a great way to recharge as well as cool off if there’s anything bothering you

•it’s okay to say “no” when you don’t want to go somewhere

this goes along with the boundaries thing but still it’s good advice to learn to stand up for yourself. especially if there is someone who is continually pestering you, or if you have been adopted by an extrovert (luckily for me my college is very small and we are all gamers and nerds so i don’t have that problem as much)

If you have a car, and you become the “chauffeur” (the person who drives around people) for people. you can say no to taking them somewhere. gas prices are expensive and there are times where you are too busy, or even just don’t want to drive. i have plenty of those so i tell them no or give an excuse that i need to work on homework

also you can take advantage of your car and either scream in it, or just sit there and recharge if you have nowhere to go

that’s really all the advice i have for you, or if you know someone who would need it? send it to em or reblog or whatever you want.

These are little pieces of advice I give myself, a hot mess of an infp-t just trying to get through it. (this advice may not be relevant to all infps)

Listen to podcasts or music when out in public - it will make you feel a little less self-conscious, especially podcasts

Avoid eating solely junk food - it will make you feel lethargic and unmotivated! (i know this is common sense lol but seriously)

Recognise when ur negative feelings stem from ur physical needs not being met (e.g. not enough sleep or eating badly). Sometimes I get so caught up wallowing, thinking my life is the worst, when I actually feel bad because I’ve drunk a gallon of coffee and haven’t eaten all day

Avoid drinking coffee before being social - it gives me anxiety!!!

Instead drink coffee when at home trying to be productive - coffee is the sole reason i have any sort of productivity

Journal your thoughts and feelings and just cry it out - this is especially helpful when you feel like you can’t talk to people about your feelings. ik i lot of infps are very private and feel uncomfy being vulnerable with people about their issues. because i’m like that I find it therapeutic to just write it out. don’t worry about being angsty! Let the angst out!! no one but u is going to read it :)

Find solace in escapism - I go on youtube and netflix for a good old distraction

Also find solace in close friends and family

Find infp celebrities and characters to look up and relate to

Make a list of favourite things (e.g. fav movies or links to fav videos) to fall back on when you need a pick-me-up. I add to a pages doc whenever I find something that inspires me or makes me laugh.

When you feel energetic and motivated - take advantage of it and clean ur room!!! or do SOmeThing productive omg

Spend time with individuals u love - I get SO much more out of one-on-ones with friends than hang outs with a group of people. Often i feel like such an outsider in groups, especially with my loud extroverted friends (i cannot match their energy levels for the life of me). These sorts of interactions leave me v drained. However, when I have meaningful convos with individuals i feel like i’m going to be ok.

Avoid drinking in excess - hangovers mess with ur e-mo-tion-s

Consume feel good movies, shows and books

Hello loves! I apologize for not being too active lately, things have been hectic. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!

- Get yourself out of your comfort zone. This might be difficult for certain people if you are shy or nervous in public situations. I am also this way but maybe if you have something to fidget with such as a hair tie or something of the sorts, you can mess with it and it may help you feel at least a little less nervous. You can start off by just complimenting them, besides, You might just be the one to make their day!

- Make friends through current friends. If you decide to hang out with your friend, let them know that they can bring their friends so that you can meet them too!

- Join a sport! If you’re in school, join a sport that you’d be interested in or even a club! Not only will you discover possible future hobbies, but you can share your interest with others who share the same!

- Go to an event/festival! If you have a fair, go to one! If there’s a festival, go to it! Have fun and let loose.

- Say yes to things. Even though many of us may just want to lay in bed and binge watch Netflix, It won’t do much if we want to socialize more. If a friend invites you out, say yes and accept the invite. You might just have more fun than you think, plus you can meet some new people!

It’s been a long day and you’ve been surrounded by many people. Whether they’re people you know well or don’t know at all, It can be tiring sometimes especially if you’re an introverted type of person. I completely get that and it’s okay to feel this way. It’s not your fault and you’re not being rude at all. We can all only take so much until we need alone time to recharge ourselves. We can do this in such ways like

Taking a warm bath with essential oils (lavender is a favorite of mine!) and just closing your eyes, allowing your mind to empty and clear

Taking a nap. Letting yourself relax by getting a few z’s and dreaming some good dreams can be very refreshing and can make you feel brand new again

Spend time with a pet. If you have one, Spend some quality time with him/her. Play fetch if you have a dog or play with your cat! They are a person’s best friend after all.

to my parents??

They don't seem to grasp that introverts are always gonna be tired after work. At least a little, or for a little amount of time.

They also won't understand that me working for 40 hours feels the same as working for 16, or 8. Because it honestly does.

They also believe that me seeing a counselor is going to lessen my exhaustion. That's not how any of this works!!!