Quiet Strength: Self-Care Tips For Introverts In A Noisy World

The world is a loud and obnoxious place. You are constantly surrounded by other people whether that is at work, on the bus, walking down the street, scrolling on social media, or even in your own home. For some, being around others is fun and a form of self-care. For others, it is draining and takes a big toll on their mental health. Those people are called introverts! Self-care becomes even more important when you are an introvert. The world caters to extroverts. It’s a very extrovert-centric world. Dealing with the noisy world is hard which is why self-care should be prioritized.

Here are some self-care tips for introverts just trying to navigate this loud and overwhelming world. 

Understanding introversion 

“You might be an introvert if you were ready to go home before you left the house.” – Criss Jami

Everyone has an idea of what being an introvert is. The quiet person who never leaves the house, doesn’t have many friends, and always wants to be alone. That is the kind of stereotype of an introvert.

An introvert is a person who has personality traits of introversion which just means a person who finds solace in calm, minimally stimulating environments. Introverts typically feel tired or drained when they spend too much time around others. The way they “recharge” or engage in self-care is by spending time alone. 

I’m sure we can all relate to that in some ways. Even the most social people need alone time. However, it becomes considered introversion when that is your norm. 

Some signs you might be an introvert:

• Need quiet to concentrate
• Feel comfortable being alone
• Feel tired after being in a crowd
• Don’t like group work
• Often in your own mind reflecting or daydreaming
• You prefer small gatherings with close friends over large parties

Being a quiet and reflective person is not a weakness! There is strength to being quiet in a loud world. Introverts need to prioritize self-care because their norm of being alone and happy in solitude is NOT the societal norm. In order to function as a human being, introverts need to participate in regular society which can be draining. Self-care for introverts is, therefore, very important! 

7 self-care tips for introverts 

Here are some helpful tips for self-care when you are an introvert. 

Create a personal sanctuary 

I think having a personal sanctuary is needed for anyone BUT since we are talking about introverts, it’s extra needed. When the world is full of noise and people and things that overwhelm you, coming home to your safe place is crucial. 

Introverts recharge when they are alone and able to relax. A personal sanctuary is just that – a safe place where you can recharge. Your home should be a place that feels calm, relaxing, and restful. People use the term “homebody” for someone who loves to stay at home and be in the comfort of their own space. To me, that also sounds like an introvert (just a cuter name lol). You need to make your home your favourite space to be!

Here are some ways to create your own personal sanctuary: 

• Declutter your spaces (a cluttered space = a cluttered mind)
• Get inspiration from Pinterest/ magazines/ blogs. What vibe do you want your home to give?
• Soft lighting!!
• Pick calm colours for your home (neutral, earthy tones are quite relaxing)
• Make it cozy (comfy furniture, soft blankets, candles, etc.)
• Set boundaries about who can enter your space 
• Create a quiet corner (somewhere you can read a book or enjoy your coffee)
• Fresh air (get the air flowing by opening windows/doors)

Mindful practices 

Introverts are often spending a lot of time in their own heads. May as well practice mindfulness while you’re in there, ya know? 

Self-care that centers around journaling, meditation, breathwork, or quiet reflective activities are great for introverts. 

Journaling is always my favourite way to practice self-care. You can write about day-to-day life and treat it like a diary. You can work through struggles, anxiety, fears, or situations that have upset you in some way. Journaling is a great way to process your thoughts. There are a million ways to journal so you can pick what feels right to you! Using journal prompts is a good way to get started if you aren’t sure what to write about! 

Journal prompt posts to check out:

• The Best Self-care Journal Prompts For Resting And Recharging
• How To Figure Out What You Want In Life + Journal Prompts
• 19 Morning Journal Prompts For A Positive And Happy Day

Managing social interactions 

Just because you are an introvert doesn’t mean you don’t need social time. Of course you do! Introverts are a little different when it comes to social interaction. Oftentimes, introverts have a tight-knit group of friends that they enjoy spending time with. If you find yourself on the introvert spectrum it’s important to manage your social interactions. 

Quality over quantity when it comes to friends! It’s okay to have one or two close friends that you spend most of your time with. Those people tend to “get you” and won’t judge you for needing your alone time. Focusing on fewer deeper connections is much more important in the long run. 

Managing your social interactions also requires making sure you have scheduled downtime after your social time. Set yourself up for success by not putting too much on your schedule to begin with and then having ample time to recharge after! 

Self-care for introverts really does mean balancing time with your friends and loved ones with alone time. You don’t need to pick one or the other – balance is key! 

Digital detox 

If you spend time alone you might be more likely to scroll on your phone looking at social media. I know I do this when I’m relaxing on the couch by myself. It can be fun for a bit to watch videos or catch up with what friends are doing but after a while it takes a toll on me. 

Doing a digital detox is essential for introverts! Taking time away from your phone or computer is a form of self-care. Social media is tough on your mental health. Spending too much time on social media is hard for anyone but can be especially hard for introverts because they typically spend a lot of time in their own heads reflecting.

Activities alone 

Self-care can include doing activities that you enjoy! That could be getting outside and going on a solo date or just doing things at home. 

Finding activities that you can do alone (since introverts recharge their battery that way) is crucial. You don’t want to spend all your time watching TV when you can find other solo hobbies to do. 

Try solo activities like:

• Puzzles
• Coloring books
• Writing
• Going to museums 
• Gaming
• Reading
• Gardening 
• Crafting 
• At home workouts 
• Walking outdoors 
• Bird watching 

Creating daily rituals 

When introverts are fully maxed out and their battery is drained it’s hard for them to attend to their own needs. Creating daily rituals is a form of self care that allows you to nurture yourself on a regular basis. 

You can create any kind of ritual and really, if it’s easier to think of it as a routine you can do that too. 

Some daily rituals you could start:

• Start the day quietly with a coffee and your planner so you can plan your day and know what to expect
• Spend time listening to music that makes you feel happy. You may find comfort in a familiar playlist or finding music that fits your current mood. 
• Read before bed each night so you can quiet your thoughts and wind down for bed.
• Do an evening tidy to keep your space (your personal sanctuary) feeling calm and relaxing. The process of tidying can become its own form of self-care as it feels good to have a clean space. 

Be creative/ use your mind 

Introverts don’t always find inspiration in the outside world like extroverts do. Introverts are in their own heads and spaces a lot which for them, can boost creativity. No one was ever creative when they felt overwhelmed and exhausted. 

Creativity is a great tool for self-care. Whether that is doing a creative activity like painting or just using your mind for puzzles (like crosswords or other mentally stimulating games). 

And since much time is spent reflecting and being super self-aware, using some brain power to focus on something else can be a nice break. 

Final thoughts

There is nothing wrong with being an introvert. It’s okay to be happy spending time alone/needing time alone. We live in a noisy world where people think introverts are hermits or somehow weird for wanting to be alone. That is simply not true. 

Some people thrive in busy environments around people and others don’t. Knowing where you fit in on that scale (yes, it’s a scale, not just one or the other) is important for your own sanity. Understanding how you recharge your battery and what you find relaxing is important because then you can tailor your self-care to what works for you. 

These were 7 self-care tips for introverts; people who recharge while being alone. Maybe you found them helpful or may try one or two. 

I have always been a bit of an introvert. I think it really stemmed from being an only child as I learned how to enjoy being alone. As an adult, I definitely do enjoy time with others but really it’s mainly only my closest friends. I would still consider that introverted but maybe with some extrovert tendencies haha. 

What would you call yourself? An introvert or extrovert? 

Until next time, 

Deanna