Ep. 001: An introvert’s guide to embracing yourself at uni
To an introvert, the idea of energetic seminars, group projects, busy coffee shop catch ups and clubbing can seem a complete nightmare.
Getting home after being surrounded by chatty students for the day leaves us exhausted and in desperate need to curl up in front of Netflix, the only company being a hot cup of tea. I know after my freshers I cocooned myself in my room for about a week, not just from the post lockdown freshers flu (a particularly nasty version, might I add), but from the sheer amount of energy it took to talk to such a multitude of people in such a short space of time.
Introverts are known as shy, sensitive beings, who gain energy from alone time, whereas extroverts are distinguished as feeling energised by social situations.
In our world of set aesthetics and categorization, it feels mandatory to shut yourself into one of the introvert or extrovert boxes, despite functioning humans actually being a mix of both, known as an ambivert. There’s actually no such thing as a complete introvert or extrovert. Everyone needs to socialise every now and then, and no one comes out of events such as a work social feeling exhilarated.
Being stereotyped as an introvert means people might assume you’re less fun, socially awkward and always tired, when we know it simply means we appreciate our time alone. Introverts are often more empathetic, creative and methodical, and should be celebrated as such.
Here are my tips on embracing your 'introvertedness' and finding your vibrancy within your quiet soul.
Prioritise friendships that appreciate you for who you are. Show love to yourself by being around like minded people. This might seem backwards for people who like to be by themselves, but we all need to connect with people sometimes. If you are surrounding yourself with people who don’t understand your need for space and solitude, it won't make you feel great about yourself, and might make you feel like something is wrong with you. Hang around with the extroverted friends who allow you to shine in your own quiet way, and your introverted friends who understand you and love you for it.
Don’t forget to socialise. I know this can be a tricky one, but I promise it's important. Instead of socialising via clubbing etc., try out your uni's societies. Personally at my uni, I love art soc. It's the perfect vibes for an introvert, there’s no expectation for you to chat, but the friendly, calm atmosphere might bring out some chattiness within you. I go there with my other quiet friend and often we just sit in peaceful silence together, listening to other's conversations while we create. Also, try out some solitary sports that your uni might offer! I go to pole soc and open water soc!
Set aside time for you. Make sure you honour your personality by setting aside a little me-time, whether that be movie watching, crafting, baking with headphones playing your favourite tunes. Don’t punish yourself by over socialising or thinking it is wrong to spend time alone. A common misconception about uni is that you're supposed to surround yourself with loads of people, all of the time, especially in freshers. This wouldn’t be healthy for anyone, not even the extroverts among us. Try to relax with friend making, and remember, quality over quantity.
Balance is key. Check in with yourself both in social situations and alone time. How do you feel? If the energy isn’t there, maybe your battery needs charging in a different way. Practise getting the ratio right for you, and set firm boundaries for yourself to protect your mental health and to embrace your personality.
Introverts are so important to keep our society balanced, and you should never feel embarrassed by being one. Show yourself love with a cosy night in, but don’t forget to see your friends too!
I hope you found this helpful! I also made a cute little Pinterest board to match this article which you can find here: https://pin.it/5p1UxWQ
