Summer 2020: Introvert Edition
By Mary Claire Schibelka, LPC
As the City of Chicago continues to open up, many are still concerned about their health in the midst of the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. Sure, you can protect yourself by wearing a mask and washing your hands regularly, but what if you wish to avoid going out altogether unless absolutely necessary? There is no shame in that! Everybody has a different level of comfortability when it comes to reentering the world, and many would rather wait for a vaccine.
Introverts tend to enjoy spending time on their own. Throughout the stricter phases of quarantine, internet memes joked about introverts thriving at home. However, it’s been almost four months now since COVID precautions officially began, and that’s enough to make even the truest of introverts stir crazy. Unlike extroverts, introverts who are beginning to crave socialization might not look forward to things like group Zoom sessions or socially-distanced cookouts. Introverts have their own set of strengths and preferences, which can help them achieve a fun and fulfilling summer, even while managing to stay somewhat apart.
Join an Online Book Club
Introverts are known to enjoy low-key activities that can be done alone, like reading. Believe it or not, joining a book club doesn’t have to mean meeting up with other people in person. Reece Witherspoon runs Reece’s Book Club once per month via Instagram, while Goodreads hosts a number of book clubs, such as Emma Watson’s Our Shared Shelf, History Book Club, and New Adult Book Club. Many more online reading communities can be found through just a quick Google search!
Pick Up a Second Job
Looking to make a little extra money this summer but don’t want to be around others? Introverts can make great salespeople because of their attention to detail and great listening skills. Look for sales jobs that allow you to work from home. Heck, regardless of all the flack they get, even multi-level marketing gigs, such as Amway and Mary Kay, can be lucrative with the right amount of dedication. Introverts also tend to be great with animals. Try dog-walking or pet-sitting! What could be better than getting paid to spend time with furry friends- especially because they haven’t been known to transmit COVID-19?
Volunteer
Because of the pandemic and recent increase in political activism, opportunities to volunteer are ample. If you’re wanting to make a difference but fear exposure to the masses, consider volunteer activities that can be done from home. Have you recently read a great antiracism book? Try writing an article and sharing it with your peers or even publishing it. If you have extra clothes laying around, consider donating them at a drop-off location. Are you great at making bracelets? Great! Sell them and donate the procedes. Ask yourself, “What unique skills do I have, and how can I use them to help?” Opportunities are endless, especially because you can always create your own.
COVID-19, no doubt, is taking place at an inopportune time. With only about three months of warm weather here in Chicago and no vaccine yet in sight, it’s easy to write Summer 2020 off as a bust. Before you do, take some time to think about your personality characteristics and how you can creatively put them to use during your extra summer free-time. By stepping out of your normal summer routines and hobbies, you might be surprised. This could be the best summer yet.