5 Tips On How To Survive Christmas As An Introvert

Ah, Christmas. If you celebrate it, you know it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Magical. The days may be shorter and darker but with Christmas around the corner, it’s not so bad. It’s cozy. You get to eat good food and see your family and relax.

This, however, it’s not always purely wonderful. Apart from the normal stress people may endure before the holidays, introverts can feel the added pressures from society. It can be a hectic month with all the events to attend, traveling between places, being with the family for a long stretch of time and all the shopping to do in the crowds filling up the streets and shopping malls. It basically cuts in on a lot of alone time when they recharge. And it’s all expected out of them because it’s Christmas. There can be a lot of planning and prep to do and for someone who’s introverted, the plate that normally fills up pretty quickly feels constantly full from over-stimulation.

So how to survive this Christmas with all the (wonderful) craziness around you? Here are some tips that may help

1. Write a list

And not just your wish list. Write lists in order to have something black on white to look at to collect your thoughts and plans. I don’t mean a ‘to-do-list’ that will weigh on your conscious and add more pressure. I mean a list you can turn to whenever you need to feel organized instead of having your thoughts floating around in circles, causing chaos inside you. This also makes it easier to turn it all off and relax. Because you have it all dotted down and can turn back to it when the time is right.

2. Stay organized

If you have several places to be during the days of Christmas, keep yourself as organized as you can. Know when and where you need to be and when things need to be done. This way, you can be efficient and take breaks from events and people. Give yourself the time and opportunity. Sneak off when needed.

3. Plan your shopping

Going to a packed shopping mall in order to get your shopping done can be very draining. If possible, do the shopping online and have it come to you in the post. Alternatively, you can do your research online so that when you do go to the mall, you know exactly which stores you’re going to and what you’re getting. Another option is to go in the morning or evening to escape most of the foot traffic.

4. Leave early if you want

You don’t have to stay at any party or dinner longer than you want to. It’s okay to leave early, even if it is Christmas only once a year or whatever reason people are giving you to stay. Better to stay for a shorter amount of time and enjoy it, than drag it out and make it painful. Also, you have the right to decline attending events too.

5. Take time to recover

One great thing about Christmas being over is when you can relax after a hectic month. Then you’re probably sick of people and cooking and shopping and if possible, try to take a day to really recover. That way you’ll have something to look forward to when Christmas is over every year and give yourself the break you need before New Year’s Eve.

Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and your needs of alone time. You don’t have to force yourself because it’s a special time of the year that we’re supposed to spend with family and people. You’re still an introvert, and you’re still allowed to act on it.

What’s your greatest tip to survive Christmas or other big holidays? Comment below!