Extroverts in Exile – How to Cope in Quarantine

           Being alone for prolonged periods of time can be torture for extroverts.  Isolation for weeks or months would be unfathomable.  It’s like being a child sent to your room despite doing nothing wrong.  For introverts, it’s a solitary paradise, and they are enjoying their holy hamster ball of hermitage.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reaching out to friends old and new, coworkers, classmates, and family regarding their wellbeing during this pandemic.  Along the way, I’ve heard grievances of missing friends and loved ones.  To quell the stir-craziness, I am sharing the coping skills I have discussed.

-Call friends and family.  While a significant portion of people claim to have telephone allergies, it is nice to hear another person’s voice.  Reserve this to your innermost social circle.  Even extroverts don’t want to call acquaintances from ten years ago.

-Text!  Reach out to your friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, etc.  Ask how they are doing, if they are alright, and how they are coping with the pandemic.  It’s nice to reconnect with people.

-Social Media.  Go on your Facebook and message your friends, family, coworkers, old classmates, neighbors, acquaintances, and ask how they are doing.  Unless you are reserved and have a short friends list, you probably have friends you haven’t communicated with in years.  LinkedIn is also a nice place to chat with coworkers, bosses, etc.  Despite the obvious downsides of this pandemic, it is a conversation starter.  It’s okay to check if others are okay too.

-Skype, FaceTime, Zoom.  Seeing people and hearing their voices is the most effective way to cope with loneliness, according to my friends.  Both sight and hearing are satisfied in those moments.  In a virtual world, it’s the closest thing to hanging out.

-Hugging Alternatives.  If you’re the type of person who needs physical affection and likes hugs, try to create a substitute.  Hug a pillow or a large stuffed animal.  You can think of your loved ones who are away while you hug.  If you have a dog or cat who likes affection and attention, you can hold them and pet them too, as long as you are careful with them.

-Watch Vloggers on YouTube.  This was my idea, and a friend liked it.  Go to YouTube, and watch video-bloggers talk on a variety of topics.  With the person facing you and talking to an audience, it is possible to feel a connection with the vlogger.  While the person on screen is speaking, you may react and produce insightful feedback to the topic discussed.  Feel free to leave your input in the comments.

-Listen to a Podcast.  It’s a non-visual of the vlogger example, but you can listen to someone talk about your favorite topics – maybe while you’re doing a boring chore like dusting.

-Read a book.  It is a non-extroverted activity, but it will benefit you.  You can build up concentration, pass time, and take in knowledge.  If you are reading fiction, you can connect to the characters.  Non-fiction is great for expanding your breadth of knowledge, and will give you something to talk about with your friends when you reunite.  You’ll be an even better conversationalist!

-Do something creative.  Draw, write poetry, write stories, sing, dance, play an instrument if you have one, make videos, or journal the thoughts you want to get off your chest.  Every time you create something new, you have something new to talk about to your friends when you meet again.

-Learn a language, if possible.  If you have Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, Berlitz, or the Mumble app, try learning a language.  Then you can impress your friends later.  One of my colleagues suggested learning a specific word in every language.  Maybe you and a friend can learn the same language and practice it together over Skype.

So at least you now have some non-social ways to stay productive while waiting for your post-pandemic party.  You will probably make some self-discoveries about new interests and hobbies along the way.  While you may feel stuck, at least you’re safe!  If you are not infected, keep in mind that being in a clean home means you are safe from the virus.  My mom is a retired nurse, and she once told me that being bored in the hospital is a good thing.  It’s better than dying.  If you’re not in a hospital and you’re physically healthy, it’s two more blessings to count.

Header Picture: Caroline Friehs