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Let’s be real: life as an introvert can be hard.
Dealing with other humans can be ridiculously stressful and anxiety-inducing and sometimes all we want to do is be left alone.
Because being an introvert means that human interactions can literally suck the life out of us. It can be draining to talk with other people, especially strangers.
The so-called “healthy” thing to do would be to work out our anxieties with our therapists. But that’s not exactly an overnight fix. So if you’re hoping to continue trying to avoid your fellow humans then I 100% support you.
Of course, there are some things that are just plain unavoidable. But luckily, technology has made it easier than ever to be a high-functioning introvert.
If you’re looking to make your life a little easier and less anxiety-ridden, here are a few ways that can help you live your best introvert life.
1. Take Advantage of Free Grocery Delivery Options
With COVID underway, it’s easier than ever to avoid the grocery store and get your food delivered right to your doorstep. The best part? Pretty much every delivery service has a policy of leaving the groceries at your door without any human interaction at all.
Some grocery delivery services can be incredibly expensive (ahem, Instacart). But there are other options that are actually affordable. If you’re already an Amazon Prime member, you can get groceries delivered for free with Amazon Fresh (with a $35 minimum order).
Target also offers a deal with Shipt where you can get a four-week free trial. Target’s groceries tend to be extremely affordable so it’s probably one of the best deals out there.
If you receive food stamps or SNAP, many states now offer options for you to get your food online. For example, New York now allows you to use your EBT card for food online at Amazon, Shoprite, and Walmart. Every state is different, so make sure you check your state’s SNAP website to confirm which online retailers will accept your food stamps.
2. Order Your Prescriptions Online
There’s officially never been a better time to avoid the pharmacy! And luckily, it’s never been easier to do it.
If you live in the U.K, you can take advantage of services like Simple Online Pharmacy, which offers free delivery.
If you live in the U.S., most pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Duane Reade now offer free 2-3 day delivery via mail.
Want to avoid the doctor’s office altogether? Services like Nurx can actually virtually prescribe birth control, PrEP, and acne medication so you skip out on your gyno or dermatologist appointment. (Psst… you should obviously still go to the gynecologist if you have a serious medical issue).
3. Set Up a UPS Profile So You Don’t Have to Sign For Packages
Want to avoid the delivery guy? There’s a way to do that!
You can create a free profile on UPS.com where you can change your settings and tell UPS it’s ok to drop off packages without your signature.
Obviously, if you agree to this, you might not be able to file a claim if your package gets stolen off your stoop by your neighbor. So, you might want to choose to use this setting only on a case-by-case basis depending on if you think you’ll be home at the time of delivery.
4. Make a List of Pre-Made Excuses to Get Out of Social Events
Over the years, I have personally become an expert at avoiding social gatherings like the plague. While there are a few events you might never be able to get out of, for the most part, you can always figure out a way to say no to plans or even cancel.
If you’re not good at coming up with excuses on the fly, take some time to make a list in advance that you can turn to when you need it in a pinch.
Not great at coming up with realistic-sounding exit plans? Luckily, there are plenty of lists online to help you get started.
5. Look For Jobs You Can Work Remotely — Permanently
One of the perks of quarantine and social distancing is that we’ve all gotten to work remotely, which is a HUGE benefit for introverts. But eventually, most of us will have to return to the office.
If office life stresses you out with the constant small talk and human interactions then it might be time to consider looking for a job that you work from remotely on a permanent basis. After all, if COVID has taught us anything it’s that most jobs can be done remotely in some capacity.
6. Become Your Own Handyman
Want to avoid asking the super to come over to fix something in your apartment? Perhaps it’s time to become your own handyperson.
There are a ton of how-to videos on YouTube that can teach you how to do pretty much anything — fix a leaky faucet, hang a shelf, and more. All you need is your own set of basic tools and you should be all set.
7. Put Your Phone in Flight Or Silent Mode At Night
Night can be the hardest time for introverts — we’ve spent all day exhausting our energy talking and working with people and just need some alone time.
Consider putting your phone on silent or flight mode so you can have a little peace and quiet to yourself. Because, even though you can always decline calls or ignore texts, giving yourself a full break from phone notifications will give you a real chance to recharge your batteries.
Try setting a time each night where you decide you’ll no longer take any calls, except for emergencies. For example, if you go to bed at 11 PM, consider turning off phone notifications at 9 PM to give yourself some time to unwind before you go to sleep.
8. Learn How to Say ‘No’ to Zoom Meetings
Working from home can be great, except for one thing: Zoom meetings.
Zoom fatigue is real and it can be exhausting to have Zoom meeting after Zoom meeting. And while some meetings are going to be simply unavoidable (with your boss, for example!), there are actually ways that you can cut down your time video chatting.
If you’re looking to turn down social Zoom hangouts, this article gives great tips on how to leave Zooms early or how to say “no” altogether. If you’re hoping to cut out a few Zoom meetings from your workday, this article can give you a few ideas for that as well.
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