But You’re an Introvert: Senior’s Guide to Family Concerns About Social Interaction
Seniors living alone are cause for family concern. Even if the senior is reasonably independent and active, many relatives, friends, and even community members may feel compelled to make sure a solo senior in their life has a lively social network. You may be facing people swinging by your house all the time bringing food, gifts, and grandbabies. You love your people, but how do you tell them that - often - you're an introvert, you're happier alone, or with a little quiet company?
A senior who is an introvert with a good support system often struggles to find that perfect balance between staying involved with the family and recharging through enjoyable time alone. How can you set friendly boundaries and maintain a healthy level of social interaction that is neither stressful nor unfulfilling? Here at Senior Helpers, we can share a few good ideas to help you build a rewarding social routine.
What It Means to Be an Introvert
An extrovert is someone who gains energy from being surrounded by people and loses energy when alone. An introvert is someone who gains energy during time alone or in small, more private groups, and loses energy in large groups. Meyers-Briggs suggests that the population is about 50/50, but society also assumes that all grandparent-aged people need lots of social support.
While time with the grandkids is great, it's all about where your energy comes from. If you are among the 50% of people who are more introverted, you need time alone - or with just one or two close people - to recharge, and time in large groups will feel draining.
Invite Individual Visitors
Your friends and relatives will have an easier time visiting you in energizing small groups and respecting your alone time if you extend invitations. Invite your relatives one to three visitors at a time so that your introverted nature will feel comfortable. Everyone will know you are staying in touch, and don't need large unannounced family visits to avoid isolation.
Take Ownership of Your Visiting Schedule
If you like to be alone or private at certain times of day, build a schedule. Let your family know that you are available in the afternoons, or on Wednesdays and weekends. Take control of your schedule and when you want to receive visitors. If you are still driving or have a helper who can drive for you, book outings to quiet places. This will assure your extroverted family that you are still active and involved, and keep visiting on your terms.
Express Happiness About Time Alone
The family will respect your time alone if you make it clear that it's a source of happiness. Let it be known how much you cherish your quiet mornings. Explain that you do a kind of meditation when you garden, or that listening to your favorite broadcasts is relaxing, and most people will give you space. They will remember to call ahead, visit outside your favorite quiet times, and minimize disturbances on your behalf.
Are there times you want your entire family around, and times you want smaller groups and alone time? Let it be known. Set an open invitation for grandkids and whole-family visits during certain times and days and, at the same time, block off personal time for yourself and more private visitors. By creating your own visiting hours, you provide harmony with family who want to visit altogether.
Receiving visitors can sometimes take more energy than you are ready to spend. A personal helper from the Senior Helpers of Baltimore can help you build your ideal schedule and keep up with the few added chores of hosting family so that you can focus your energy on enjoying visitors and establishing your re-energizing alone time.