The holiday season usually means lots and lots of socializing. For people who are more introverted, that can be exhausting! Even if everyone you know is lovely and drama-free, the very act of socializing can be draining for introverts. The definition of introvert is a person who tends to re-energize by being alone rather than by socializing with other people. So while some may be dreading the holidays because of tense family dynamics (if you are, we have another blog about dealing with difficult family members), you may be dreading the holidays simply because of your tendency towards introversion.

If you’re an introvert, you may feel bad about being introverted. Especially in seasons like the holidays, you may feel you’re “supposed” to enjoy socializing with everyone all the time for the whole month of December. But there are many strengths introverts tend to have, such as being good listeners, thinking before they speak, and being able to focus deeply. Neither type of person is better than the other! We need introverts in the world as well as extroverts.

But December can require a lot from introverts! Even though there are some limits on gatherings in some locations, many of our friends and family want to see each other as much as possible, especially after a tumultuous couple of years. You want to see friends and family, even if it drains you. So here are a few tips to help you get through socializing as an introvert during the holiday season—and enjoy it!

Prepare in Advance

Schedule alone time before and between social gatherings. By planning ahead, you can try to arrange your social events so you have a chance to recharge between them.

Pick Your Battles

You don’t actually have to attend absolutely every social gathering that occurs in December. Know your own limits and use that as a guide, rather than your feelings of how much you think you should be socializing.

There are relationships you value, that you want to spend your energy on and make time for. Open up your schedule for these, and don’t feel that you need to fill all the other days up as well.

Another helpful tip is to request to see your friends one-on-one rather than in a big group. For an introvert, having coffee with a special friend can be more refreshing than a big party—and you might be surprised at how many of your friends enjoy a meaningful one-on-one time as well.

Take a Break

Do something that doesn’t involve socialization for a while! If you’re in a social situation such as being a guest at someone’s house, take a break by going for a walk, or offering to run an errand for the hostess. This gives you a few minutes of alone time mid-gathering

Practice Self Care

Practicing self care can make a big difference in how well you handle situations that drain you. When socializing as an introvert during the holiday season, make sure you’re getting enough rest, eating well, and practicing anything else that helps you to feel at your best

Conversation Starters

Okay, so you’ve followed all the previous tips. Here’s a tip for the actual social event itself. Having a few questions in mind for social situations can help you feel more confident that you will be able to have a few good conversations throughout the event. Here are a few questions to start a conversation:

• What is your favourite Christmas movie?
• What is your favourite thing about the person sitting next to you?
• What is your New Years’ resolution?

You can probably think of a few more, specific to the friends and family you might be seeing over the holiday season.

Well, there you have it! These are a few strategies for socializing as an introvert during the holiday season. Hopefully you feel more prepared to handle social situations, and you can get out and enjoy socializing with your friends and family!

Would you like some professional advice for navigating social situations? Dóchas Psychological Services is here to help. You can get in touch with us by calling us at 780 446 0300 or emailing info@dochaspsych.com.

About Dóchas Psychological

Dóchas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dóchas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.

Disclaimer

Information provided through Dóchas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs is meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.