January Activities – Part 1 Indoors

In case the weather is not great for wandering around by ourselves or you live in a friendly place where strangers want to wave and say hello to you, then I can recommend some indoor activities for you. It’s a good thing if you live in a place like that. We introverts just need to practise smiling back. You see, introverts aren’t shy, we just don’t like strangers. It’s not that strangers are not likeable; it’s that we prefer the company of people we already know. It’s easier. We have so much going on inside our own heads that we don’t need anyone new to give us something else to think about.

For most of this week, I didn’t feel like going outside due to the cold wind whirling about, but sometimes I had to. And today, the sun was out and I needed light bulbs (true story) so I went for a walk the the hardware store and you know what; it wasn’t so bad. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. Right now, I’m happy to be inside writing this article, though. It’s cold outside, so I thought I’d offer some suggestions for indoor activities you can do when it’s too cold to go outside, or you just don’t feel like it.

Writing a blog article – that’s what I’m doing, and that’s the cool thing to do right now. Entertaining and trendy – it’s a must-do!

Writing in your journal is something you’ve been putting off, I know, because so have I. However, I also know you probably spent some time with your family over the holidays and you have some things you need to get off your chest and some feelings that are festering away. So, now is the time to tell your journal all about it – before something drastic happens like losing your sense of humour.

Sleeping in is something that I do regularly, and it kills time in the morning while you wait for the sun to come up and warm things up a degree or two.

Reading is both an indoor and an outdoor activity. If you can’t get to a beach this winter, reading by a window on a sunny day is a fair substitute. Plus, if you have neighbours walking by who like to peer into your windows (inconspicuously of course), you could start a buzz if you were wearing nothing but your bathing suit, looking like you were trying to get a tan.

At work, cancel your daily walking club and go hide out in that area in the building that very few people know about. If you’re a safety person, all you need to do is tell people you’re going to do an inspection (take your book with you).  At my former workplace, I had a walking club, but I was the only one in it so nobody missed me if I didn’t go for a walk. This time of year,  you might have New Year’s Resolution-ers joining your walking club, or maybe you did a week ago, but since the weather has turned cold that New Year’s Resolution to walk more has been put off until spring.

Put down your phone and get on your computer for creeping on social media. The bonus is better posture and a bigger screen. Teenagers will wonder what you’re doing and why. Let them wonder.

Go for a work-out! Dust of that equipment in your basement and get moving! If you’re feeling adventurous, you could go to the gym. The good news is that you don’t have to talk to anybody there, even if you go to a group exercise class. I went to the gym tonight and didn’t say a word to anyone, not even to myself!

Go to the Movies! Going to the movies is the best because it’s dark, and you don’t have to talk to anyone.  I would like to say that it is definitely okay, and not at all sad to go to the movies by yourself. That way you can see whatever you want, and you don’t have to worry about whether your “date” likes it.  If you do go with someone else (that’s okay too), make sure you don’t take the person who talks during movies. The sound is loud enough most of the time to drown them out, but that tap on your arm every two minutes might get a little old. Also, don’t be the person who talks during movies, or you’ll wonder why you’ve got licorice stuck in your hair. You don’t even have to go out to watch a movie! You’ve got streaming services, and DVDs do still exist. When staying at home, be careful of the friendly neighbour coming to chat. Be nice to them because they’re nice and they probably think you’re nice (I’m sure you are very nice). This also keeps you from growing your dislike of strangers into a dislike of everyone.

One person dance party.   Introverts do have rhythm (most every person does), and some of us like to dance. It needs to happen sometimes. We just maybe don’t want anyone to see this dancing. Keep in mind; we’ve been inside being still and reading, so something needs to happen to keep us on an even keel. Don’t mind the dirty look your cat/dog is giving you as you do this. A brief one-person dance party with a little side-to-side-stepping or jumping around to whatever is on the radio is a great way to shake things up so you don’t “over introvert”.

You might even sing along. I, for one, sound just like Kelly Clarkson when I’m singing along with her, all alone in my apartment, when (I think) nobody else can hear me.

How to work with your introvert and their indoor activities

It’s important to allow your introvert, regardless of degree of introversion, whether a little bit or a lot, to have their quiet time indoors. If they have gone somewhere to hide, don’t try to find them.  You’ll break the spell. They’ll come out from hiding when they’re ready and you’ll say “Where have you been?”, just like you would say to the cat.

You may be allowed to join in on the introvert’s indoor activity. Don’t make a big deal out of it, but you should consider yourself to be special.  Not making a big deal means not talking while the person is trying to read. A quiet, whispered “yes!” when they ask you to join them is okay, but no big announcement to the whole neighbourhood.

Are you bored? Find your own indoor activities to do, like call somebody on the phone (give up on texting) and enjoy the uninterrupted conversation you get to have!

In this article, I talked a lot about indoor activities. Even for introverts too much inside time is, well, too much. Being alone too long can also be too much, but that’s another topic for another article.

I like to be outside, so next week I’ll write about some outdoor activities that are probably funny and “introvert approved”.  Until then, I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article in the great indoors!