Surviving The Holidays: A How-To For The Anti-Social
Thanksgiving is Thursday!!!For a lot of you this is maybe your favorite time of the year.For some us of us, ehhhh not so much!Let's face it the holidays are a wonderful time, but it can also be very awkward and uncomfortable for us introverts and anti-social ladies out there.There's family functions, family get together, parties and such. If you're like me, maybe the thought of all the holiday events, present buying and cooking isn't so energizing to you.
You may not necessarily like or get along with certain family members. Maybe this is the one time of the year you dread having to be around family members, because of those daunting questions of "When are you getting married? Who are dating now?" Or my favorite, "When are you guys having kids or more kids?"But, it's the holiday's and the holiday's are supposed to be about family. Since many times were forced to go to these functions, I have a couple of tips to help:Make an attempt to say "Hi" to everyone. Don't be rude. It may be a bit of stretch, seeing that you probably don't want to be there, but at least try to be cordial before you dip out.Bring some sort of technology. A tablet, a phone an e-reader. This is probably an obvious one. But DON'T FORGET YOUR CHARGER. Depending on how long you're gonna be stuck there, you don't want to run out of battery or you'll be forced to watch that boring football game with Uncle Joe or be subjected to either advice you don't care to hear from your half drunk Aunt.
Wi-fi may not be available. Grandma may not even know "what the code to the Wi-Fi" is. Heck she may not even have Wi-Fi (Bless you if this the situation). Keep in mind if you have Netflix, you can download your favorite shows to your device and watch them with out having to be on the internet!Find a space to chill out at. Maybe it's a corner, a particular chair or a TV room no one uses. Sometimes with a house full of noisy people and just noise period, it can be unnerving. I like to escape to the basement when I go to my family's house...my cousin's are usually down there, but it's fairly quiet.`1
Prep the night before. Try to get enough rest the night before an event. Pack those headphones! Don't forget your charger.Plan an event that is energizing after the main family function. Maybe you have a couple of cousins you only see once or twice a year. Go do some shopping, go to breakfast or catch a movie. Make it something you'll look forward to.Take sometime to be by yourself. For most introverts, social events are very draining. We aren't energized by social events at all. It's OK. Take some time to do something for yourself the next day or that week if possible. Sit down, enjoy a cup of coffee or hot cocoa, finish reading that book. Do some online shopping (because we avoid crowded stores don't we?). Do what is needed to recharge your batteries so you don't end up totally shutting down.Happy Thanksgiving, ladies!-Nicole Alicia