How Introverts Can Help Others During Quarantine

I’m sure you’ve seen and laughed at all the memes about how this is just like any other day for us introverts. I mean, yeah, as an introvert who works from home, not much has changed for me. And if I’m being completely honest, it’s kind of nice having a break from feeling socially obligated to go out more than I’d like.

However, this isn’t just your normal “staying home to recharge.” This social isolation has become a critical worldwide necessity. This prolonged distancing under unfortunate circumstances can eventually even cause the most introverted of us introverts to start to feel a bit lonely and anxious. 

You know how exhausted and depressed you can get when you’ve pushed yourself too hard with social engagements? It’s similar to how our more extroverted friends must be feeling now—forced to work against their nature and lacking the interaction and stimulus they need to feel healthy and happy.

My introverted friend, this is our time to shine!

This is our moment!

The world is struggling with fear, sadness, boredom, and loneliness, and WE are equipped with the strengths to help in this unique situation.

Here are 7 ways YOU can help others during this time of social distancing.

1. Check on Your Extrovert Friends

Perhaps in the past you’ve tried to help your extrovert friends understand your need for alone time to recharge. And hopefully they’ve learned to respect your boundaries. Well either way, now it’s time to extend grace and understanding to the needs of extroverts. Since they require more stimulation to feel happy, they may be going rather stir crazy during this quarantine. Perhaps even becoming depressed. 

Text your extrovert friends to check on them. If they’re struggling, maybe even offer a phone or video call (if you have the energy for it). Offer them hope that being inside doesn’t have to be so bad; there are still ways for them to get their needs met. 

 

2. Offer Suggestions

We are masters at self-entertaining at home. So we can offer ideas and suggestions to those (especially those more extroverted friends) who are struggling to know what to do with being stuck at home for so long.

Send your extrovert friends this post from Introvert, Dear that gives advice to help extroverts survive social distancing.

Send them book, t.v. show, movie, game, YouTube channel, and podcast recommendations.

Share easy at-home hobby and activity ideas to keep their hands and/or minds busy.

There are many cancelled event hosts who are streaming a free virtual version of their event, musicians performing concerts on social media, teachers & coaches hosting webinars, authors reading books to children on Instagram live, and so much more! So keep your eyes open for these unique opportunities and make sure to pass them along to your friends! 

There are also ways to host virtual movie or game nights. I’ve heard Netflix Party is a great option for watching Netflix together with your friends from afar. My family and I already had a game night using Jackbox and Kahoot. And games like Animal Crossing (on Nintendo Switch, with the online subscription) are great ways to stay connected and play together from afar.

 

3. Support Through the Power of the Internet

We live in an amazing time where “social distancing” doesn’t mean we have to lose social interaction and connection. Thanks to the internet, not only can we keep in touch with our friends and family but we can also connect with anyone from around the world!

Since introverts are generally the ones forming connections and friendships online because it’s a way of meeting some of our own social needs without expending as much energy as it takes for live or in-person interaction, we can help our extroverted or less internet-savvy friends learn how to get their social needs met too.

During the quarantine, my friends Andy, Tayla, and I have been posting extra encouragement, challenges, tips, chat & support threads, and live streams on Twitter to uplift others during this difficult time and help them feel less lonely while social distancing. Being in physical isolation doesn’t mean we have to truly be or feel isolated. 

We’re trying to create a safe space for people to talk out their experiences, share advice with one another, conquer loneliness through conversations and connection, provide emotional support and mental health check-ins, and support those who are financially struggling because of how the pandemic has affected their work.

If you’d like to join us, follow me on Twitter.

 

4. Listen

One of our superpowers as introverts is listening. It often comes more naturally to us than speaking and is backed up with a strong inner world that wants to take the time to absorb what is said. In the midst of a whole lot of fretful chatter, worried tweets, and so many thoughts and emotions for everyone to work through, people need a listening ear now more than ever. You don’t have to have all the answers. Or any answers, really. Sometimes people just need an empathetic and active listener to vent to.

 

5. Send Texts of Encouragement

Extroverts may be the ones to help us through quicker paced external or social situations (and we greatly appreciate them for it!), but now—with all of us socially distanced—we need the softer spoken introverts raising their voices (or their typing fingers).

In general, introverts tend to be better writers than speakers, so this is an easy way for an introvert to help brighten someone’s day. Write out a thoughtful message. Send words that will uplift, encourage, and support. (Don’t know where to start? Check out this post: How to be an Encourager with practical tips)

You know all those cute cat pics and funny memes you’ve been saving to your phone? Well now is the time to RELEASE them into the world to bring a smile to someone’s face. Don’t underestimate the power of a laugh or a kind word.

I also have this post full of encouragement and wisdom from 8 therapists, coaches, and mental health advocates that would be a great post to share on your social media pages and pass on to friends. I include the contributors’ social media links in the post; I highly recommend you follow them for continued encouragement.

 

6. Support Small Businesses Through Online Shopping

I know many artists, creators, and small business owners who are struggling because of all that’s been going on. This is another introvert-friendly way we can step up to help those in need. As long as deliveries are still able to be made, we can support small businesses by making purchases through their online stores.

If you don’t have much money to spend, many businesses have cheaper items available and some are even temporarily offering discounts. I’ve created this post with a list of small businesses in need that have products available for $10 or less.

Every little bit helps! And if we ALL do what we can, it really adds up!

If you have absolutely nothing to spare because money is tight for you right now too, that’s ok! Something you can do to help for free is sharing posts from small businesses so others who have the money can find out about them. As a little shop owner myself, I know how incredibly helpful that can be!

 

7. Make Sure Your Own Needs Are Met

I know that probably sounds like it doesn’t fit because this is a post about helping others, but TRUST ME. You can do a lot more good for others if you’ve first taken care of yourself. You can’t pour out from an empty cup. Sometimes love means selflessly pushing ourselves a bit, but don’t push yourself so hard you burn out. The healthier (physically and emotionally) you are, the more effectively you’ll be able to help other people. 

Take advantage of social distancing to recharge your batteries. You even might find yourself able to help others more than normal because there are less social obligations or stimuli constantly draining you. 

 

YOU, my friend, have unique super powers as an introvert that are perfect for a time such as this. Now go use them! 

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Comment Below

What other ways can introverts help others during this time?