The Introvert’s Dilemma

Riddle me this: What’s worse?  One extrovert isolated alone or six introverts trapped together?  At the end of this pandemic, we shall see.

Everyone in my family is an introvert, so we are having trouble because we are together the majority of the time.  We all need time alone, but it is difficult.  Natalie and I share a room, and Nathan and Benjamin share a room.  It can be challenging to find a place to spend time without other people, because we can’t technically kick each other out of rooms that we share.

The girls have the opportunity to leave the boys of the house for about an hour every afternoon.  Natalie, our mom, and I go on daily walks to escape from the house.  But none of us are ever truly alone.

My dad came home from work on March 20th, and says that he hopes that he never has to leave again.  He’s gone outside a few times to grill, or take out the trash, or play ultimate Frisbee, but he hasn’t left the property, except to catch a rogue Frisbee.

Quarantine should be an introvert’s paradise, and it is for the most part.  I have had a lot more time to spend on activities that I enjoy, including reading, writing, crafting, and observing the dove that built a nest by our front door.  Also, we now watch online services provided by our church.  This means that I don’t have to wake up as early or find something nice to wear.  I am able to hear the teaching without the stress of having to interact with strangers.

 However, quarantine does have its downsides.  Zoom meetings, to name one.  I don’t want everyone to see me on the low-quality camera on our desktop computer as I sit in the dining room.  Or on my slightly better phone camera in my parents’ bedroom.  It feels like an invasion of privacy.  I need Wi-Fi, so I can’t escape outside, but I also don’t want everyone to see my messy bedroom or laundry sitting out or whatever else I forgot to clean.

I miss my friends dearly, and I text them from time to time, but it’s just not the same as talking face to face.  I also love hugs, so it is difficult for me to not be able to hug my friends.

One way I deal with the stress of being around other people is by listening to music.  When I do my homework, I put on headphones and block out the rest of the world with songs by Isak Danielson, Cody Lovaas, Lewis Capaldi, Peter Hollens, Lindsey Stirling, OneRepublic, and countless other amazing musicians.  A few of these artists have released new songs or albums recently, and Cody and Isak even had a live chat.  They both responded to me when I asked them questions, so that was exciting!

I’ve also been doing a lot of reading, because that is something fun that I can do by myself.  As part of my “adopt a senior” gifts, I received some puzzle books, coloring books, and dot-to-dots.  These are really fun and can keep me occupied for a long time.

One difference my mom has noticed is that we all talk a lot more during supper time.  Normally, we talk throughout the day and are worn out by the evening.  But now, we all talk over each other as we sit around the dinner table.  We’ve actually been getting along better than usual, because we don’t come home drained, so we can give each other our full attention.

I am enjoying spending more time with my family, but I know we will all be glad when this quarantine is over so we can resume our normal interactions.