581: NAVIGATE THE PANDEMIC TOGETHER: PART 3 — EXTROVERTS

“The best part of being with a group is that you don’t have to do everything alone. You are with your friends.” —Justin Timberlake

Extroverts are amazing people. 

Now if you are introverted, don’t stop listening. As we all navigate our new normal,  you might just be married to an extrovert and need a little support. 

In case you missed last week’s episode, let’s revisit the distinction between introverts and extroverts:

Extroverts recharge by being with others.
Introverts recharge by being alone.

This means extroverts are more than likely challenged by having to stay home right now. Extroverts not only need to be around people, they crave it.

As an extrovert, when you don’t have the flexibility to go where you want, do what you want, or spend time with who you want, you easily start to get unsettled.

People wearing masks everywhere prevent you from seeing the smiles on those around you. Businesses you typically interact with are closed. 

Daily interactions with people other than your spouse have gone to single-digit numbers, or zero in some cases.

You may be wondering how you are supposed to function as a person who thrives off contact with other people. When you’ve got no choice but to stay home and somewhat isolate yourself, why do you seem to get “cabin fever” easier than others? 

All these feelings are just further fueled by the unknowns of this current global situation.

That’s where extroverts, and the introverts that love them, need to shift their mindset from the “things you can’t do” to the “things you can do.”

• You’re catching up on all the projects/house stuff you would normally put off because you were spending time with others.
• You are getting more time with your family because the schedules lend to more family time.
• You’re learning that it’s ok to rest or slow down every once in a while.
• If you’re an extrovert that loves to problem solve, you may have found you can support friends with tech issues, shopping, or even the kids’ school work. 

As an extrovert, if you need your spouse to understand what’s going on with you, it may be easiest to share this show with them as a way to start the conversation. 

If you are married to an extrovert and this show has you thinking about what they might be going through, use the show to start the conversation.