Not all of us are social butterflies, and that's okay. For many, a quiet night in with a book or a nice movie on TV is all we need to feel fulfilled. But when you're old, there's rarely a shortage of well-meaning but tiresome family members urging you to be out and about. While it's okay to get out of your comfort zone from time to time, it's equally good to do what makes you happy. If you're an introvert, here are some tips on how to balance your personal time with social interactions.
Understand Other Perspectives
Staying home isn't a bad thing, but it's worth understanding why your family might be concerned about it. As we get older, it can become easy to get stuck in a rut. If we're in the position for it, we might end up stuck at home for weeks. This can be worrying for the people who care about us, and it's worth acknowledging that. At the very least, we need to be getting some fresh air from time to time.
Understand Yourself in Regards to Social Interaction
For many introverts, it's not necessarily a choice to stay home versus going out. If your social battery is drained, forcing yourself to be around others and head out on the town can lead to exhaustion and poor mental health. Understanding yourself and your limits will help you set better boundaries with others that protect you both from harm like this.
Communicate
Communication is key to any relationship. The ability to understand multiple perspectives in this is good, and communicating these things with others leads to this. Sometimes, simply validating the feelings of others can help them feel better about your decisions. If you make it clear you're comfortable where you are but empathize with your family's concerns, you can work out a solution that makes everyone happy.
Know When You Need a Change in Social Interaction
While we may not want to be social, sometimes it really is what we need. Keep track of what you do each day to give yourself notice of when you isolate yourself for too long. Every so often, it might even be nice to put yourself out there for some new experiences, too. If nothing else, it's a good way to keep life interesting with social interaction.
If You're in Need of Help, Call Senior Helpers Greater OKC
In some cases, it may not simply be that you're an introvert, but that you're struggling to do the things you want to do. If this is the case, you might benefit from an in-home carer from Senior Helpers of Greater OKC. Serving the Oklahoma City area, Senior Helpers can provide both general and specialized care for seniors. Having an extra set of hands to help you with basic tasks can give you more time. If you think this might help you, call today to learn more.