As the novel coronavirus has made its trip around the globe, worldwide lockdowns have suddenly turned us all into introverts, whether we like it or not. But if you’re a natural-born introvert, social distancing isn’t a burden borne of the pandemic. It’s a mental and spiritual necessity.

Unlike those who’ve been forced to isolate out of fear of the virus, we introverts are uniquely equipped to understand and appreciate the pleasures of solitude. But even for us, the stresses of the pandemic may have become a bit wearing.

And that means you may be finding yourself struggling in your work and your home life, especially if you are telecommuting while you shelter-in-place. It might well be, in fact, that working from home and isolating at home has, paradoxically, taken you away from the solo activities that you used to turn to recharge your batteries and revitalize your spirit.

This article will give you some tips and tricks to rediscover the solitude you need to help you live your best home and work life, even under lockdown.

Get Out There

Even if your community is still on lockdown, that doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and into nature. Studies show that being out in nature makes you happier, more focused, and far less stressed.

And in the age of coronavirus, feeling calmer and more centered is a prescription we all need. After all, with the constant anxiety over the fear of the virus, combined with the pressures of suddenly learning to work, learn, and socialize entirely from home, we’re all, extraverts and introverts alike, starting to bounce off the walls a little bit.

The important thing, though, is to be prepared when you take your outdoor adventure. Make sure you pack the appropriate gear and supplies for your wilderness excursion, and always let people know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone.

Get a Hobby

As hard as life under lockdown might be, even for us introverts, it’s certainly not without its advantages. There’s never going to be a better time than now to learn something or to pick up a new hobby.

You might never have considered metal detecting, for instance, but it’s actually a perfect pastime for introverts. You get to learn interesting new facts about all sorts of things, from geology and biology to electronics and meteorology.

Best of all, you never know when you’re going to stumble on buried treasure — or at least a neat artifact or two!

And if you’re more into indoor hobbies, the options are pretty much endless there too! It’s all a matter of figuring out where your interests and your passions lie.

Love music? Why not learn to play an instrument? Always been a bookworm? Why not try your hand at writing fiction or poetry? Love beautiful art? Grab a canvas and some paints and start creating!

Get Your Tech On

Thriving as an introvert under lockdown means that you’re probably going to have to turn to the same tools that your extraverted counterparts are using to get through the day-to-day. Instant messaging and video conferencing tools, such as Slack and Zoom, are amazing resources for helping you get what little bit of a socializing fix you might need to feel your best. And they’re particularly useful when it comes to telework. They allow you to keep in touch with your colleagues as needed throughout your virtual workday without your becoming so overwhelmed that your energy and focus are drained away.

The Takeaway

It might seem ironic that introverts could be struggling nearly as much as extraverts with life under lockdown. But it’s happening. And that’s making nearly every aspect of daily living all that much harder. The good news is that there are fun solo activities that you can enjoy right now. They’ll help you recharge your mental and spiritual batteries. They’ll help you support the extraverts in your life as they cope with the solitude you’ve always loved. And they’ll help you to regain that focus and motivation you need to do your job, whether you’re working remotely or on-site.

Image by mattlewisid from Pixabay

Indiana Lee is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest with a passion for covering business, social justice, environmental protection, and more. In her off time you can find her reading in her hammock or hiking with her dogs. You are welcome to follow her on Twitter or reach her at indianaleewrites@gmail.com.