Absolutely understand all that you've said. I've scheduled the first ten days of January to have absolutely zero plans or obligations to anyone else and no requirement to leave my house at any certain time of day. I feel like it's the healthiest way for me to recover from a busy fall and holiday season and to regain some of that energy back so that I'm in balance.
That sounds like a most excellent idea, Kathryn. It’s a good feeling when you are aware of what you need to do to best look after yourself and then action that plan. Wishing you a peaceful and rejuvenating first ten days of January and beyond⚡️✨
I enjoyed this so much, Hannah. And my introverted self so identifies with all you convey here. Especially the part about small talk - I just cannot tolerate it anymore. I’m terrible at faking conversations. 😅
I just crave deep, meaningful discourse or silence & solitude. Nothing in between please 🙃
Thanks so much for reading, Allison. Do you think we become more aware of small talk and its pointlessness as we get older? I'm not sure it was something I hugely thought a lot about when I was younger, but now I feel myself squirming and trying to work out how to escape a conversation that is essentially only small talk!
For me, I do think getting older has awakened something in me that has me craving more substance - in everything. Therefore I have this low level disdain for mindless chatter/small talk. I also think getting sober opened me up to the value of vulnerability. The things sober folks share with one another about their journey in recovery can get so deep, those meaningful kind of interactions is what I am looking for. And I also believe most introverts are empaths and we FEEL so much so we are most authentic when we talk about the deeper things.
This makes a lot of sense. Removing alcohol from the equation means there’s nothing to hide behind when the small talk is going on.
There does seem to be a connection between introverts and empaths. For me there is no point doing something if it isn’t authentic, and I am feeling more and more confident in that notion with every day that passes.
Your commitment to self-care, whether through walks, baths, early morning writing, or time in the garden, is inspiring. May these moments of calm be truly rejuvenating, and may the New Year bring you joy, creativity, and fulfilling connections. Here's to embracing the superpower of understanding and honoring our own needs. Wishing you a serene and joyful transition into the upcoming year!
I know, I'm kind of a year late for responding to this post, but this is the beauty of Substack. 😊 Even after a year people can come across one of the older posts. And I came across this post today.
I totally understand what you're describing in this post. I also need a lot of me-time. My usual start into the day is me, my dog, a cup of tea, a book or just my thoughts while my partner is still sleeping. Sometimes I'm reading a book, sometimes I'm thinking of ideas for my next pottery pieces (I'm a hobby potter) or I'm musing about some other topics. Either way, these minutes or hours provide me with so much energy for the day.
I love this about Substack too, that posts can be discovered a year or more after they are written. Thanks for finding it and commenting, because you brought me back to reading it again and it feels very pertinent right now, as tomorrow we will visit family in various places for 6 days and I know that I will be feeling very similar by the time it gets to day 6!
Thanks also for your subscription, Rebecca. Wishing you a restful Christmas and I hope you are able to have some quiet time amongst it all to recharge.
As I have gotten older and increasingly more busy, I find myself craving sweet alone time more and more. It's definitely one of those things that we sometimes take for granted. 4/5am is starting to become my favorite time of the day. Also, I never heard of Yorkshire tea, but I have added it to my mental list of things to try. Enjoyed this post, thank you.
Thanks so much for reading and I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Yorkshire tea is strong black tea, probably the very definition of builder's tea in the UK. I like it strong with a good glug of milk. I hope you can find some 🫖
I can very much relate to craving one-on-one or smaller group hangouts versus doing things in larger groups. I always find myself getting overwhelmed and feeling like I have to shout over everyone to say anything when I'm in larger settings, so I end up saying nothing. 😄 And same with the small talk! I just want to get to the good stuff! Deeper conversations always leave me feeling really nourished and invigorated. It's taken me a while to get there, but I also acknowledge my introversion and need for solitude as superpowers. Susan Cain's book, QUIET, was very instrumental in that journey! Thank you for sharing these reflections, Hannah.
Thanks Brina! Funnily enough, I’m currently reading Susan Cain’s Quiet (a little late to the party) and am regularly having moments of “ahhhh, that makes sense now!”. It’s so reassuring to know that we are not alone in feeling this way.
This is soo me - I only accepted and embraced my introversion these last few years but it has changed EVERYTHING for me! Now I love being this way, like you I find I really supercharges my creativity. Being alone literally charges me up so I can get back out into the world and be my energetic self again. It’s such a tricky balancing act though, and I so easily slip into extremes. Really enjoying the peace and quiet of January, I think I’ll be hibernating for the foreseeable!
Thanks for sharing Hannah - your descriptions of uni sound so familiar!
I partied a lot at uni and as much as I had fun, I didn't really know myself. So I just said yes to invites to go out but with little regard to some of the discomfort I felt i.e., when l didn't have the energy and would then spend the next day shattered in lectures, or spend afternoons napping in bed. Although that just makes me sound like a typical student...
I suspect you’re not alone there. I just thought I was a bit strange for feeling like that at uni but now I understand why and that it is just how I am wired. I guess life would be boring if we knew all of these things from birth!
I'm so glad it resonated Carmen! I think acknowledging and understanding how important it is for me to have time to recharge has been quite a revelation over the past year.
The earrings made me so happy. I wore them on New Year's Eve and I love them.
That looks like a perfect brew! 👌🏻 I am very much like you insofar as needing recharge/quiet time. I don’t think I was always like this; it’s definitely more apparent in the last ten years or so.
I think I’ve become much more aware of my introvert tendencies as I’ve got older which has allowed me to lean into them, but it’s hard to say whether they’ve always been there or not. It’s an interesting one.
Happy New Year and thank you for reading and supporting my writing and creating in 2023 🧡
How lovely of your Dad to give you the earrings, the perfect Christmas gift!
About books, are you familiar with Susannah Conway's Londontown? A little gem with her pictures that always make me long London. Last time was in June 1997...
Absolutely understand all that you've said. I've scheduled the first ten days of January to have absolutely zero plans or obligations to anyone else and no requirement to leave my house at any certain time of day. I feel like it's the healthiest way for me to recover from a busy fall and holiday season and to regain some of that energy back so that I'm in balance.
That sounds like a most excellent idea, Kathryn. It’s a good feeling when you are aware of what you need to do to best look after yourself and then action that plan. Wishing you a peaceful and rejuvenating first ten days of January and beyond⚡️✨
I enjoyed this so much, Hannah. And my introverted self so identifies with all you convey here. Especially the part about small talk - I just cannot tolerate it anymore. I’m terrible at faking conversations. 😅
I just crave deep, meaningful discourse or silence & solitude. Nothing in between please 🙃
Thanks so much for reading, Allison. Do you think we become more aware of small talk and its pointlessness as we get older? I'm not sure it was something I hugely thought a lot about when I was younger, but now I feel myself squirming and trying to work out how to escape a conversation that is essentially only small talk!
For me, I do think getting older has awakened something in me that has me craving more substance - in everything. Therefore I have this low level disdain for mindless chatter/small talk. I also think getting sober opened me up to the value of vulnerability. The things sober folks share with one another about their journey in recovery can get so deep, those meaningful kind of interactions is what I am looking for. And I also believe most introverts are empaths and we FEEL so much so we are most authentic when we talk about the deeper things.
This makes a lot of sense. Removing alcohol from the equation means there’s nothing to hide behind when the small talk is going on.
There does seem to be a connection between introverts and empaths. For me there is no point doing something if it isn’t authentic, and I am feeling more and more confident in that notion with every day that passes.
I feel the same. It’s a good feeling 🫶
Your commitment to self-care, whether through walks, baths, early morning writing, or time in the garden, is inspiring. May these moments of calm be truly rejuvenating, and may the New Year bring you joy, creativity, and fulfilling connections. Here's to embracing the superpower of understanding and honoring our own needs. Wishing you a serene and joyful transition into the upcoming year!
Thank you Winston! Wishing you a gentle and serene transition into the new year too 😌
I know, I'm kind of a year late for responding to this post, but this is the beauty of Substack. 😊 Even after a year people can come across one of the older posts. And I came across this post today.
I totally understand what you're describing in this post. I also need a lot of me-time. My usual start into the day is me, my dog, a cup of tea, a book or just my thoughts while my partner is still sleeping. Sometimes I'm reading a book, sometimes I'm thinking of ideas for my next pottery pieces (I'm a hobby potter) or I'm musing about some other topics. Either way, these minutes or hours provide me with so much energy for the day.
I love this about Substack too, that posts can be discovered a year or more after they are written. Thanks for finding it and commenting, because you brought me back to reading it again and it feels very pertinent right now, as tomorrow we will visit family in various places for 6 days and I know that I will be feeling very similar by the time it gets to day 6!
Thanks also for your subscription, Rebecca. Wishing you a restful Christmas and I hope you are able to have some quiet time amongst it all to recharge.
As I have gotten older and increasingly more busy, I find myself craving sweet alone time more and more. It's definitely one of those things that we sometimes take for granted. 4/5am is starting to become my favorite time of the day. Also, I never heard of Yorkshire tea, but I have added it to my mental list of things to try. Enjoyed this post, thank you.
Thanks so much for reading and I'm happy you enjoyed it!
Yorkshire tea is strong black tea, probably the very definition of builder's tea in the UK. I like it strong with a good glug of milk. I hope you can find some 🫖
I can very much relate to craving one-on-one or smaller group hangouts versus doing things in larger groups. I always find myself getting overwhelmed and feeling like I have to shout over everyone to say anything when I'm in larger settings, so I end up saying nothing. 😄 And same with the small talk! I just want to get to the good stuff! Deeper conversations always leave me feeling really nourished and invigorated. It's taken me a while to get there, but I also acknowledge my introversion and need for solitude as superpowers. Susan Cain's book, QUIET, was very instrumental in that journey! Thank you for sharing these reflections, Hannah.
Thanks Brina! Funnily enough, I’m currently reading Susan Cain’s Quiet (a little late to the party) and am regularly having moments of “ahhhh, that makes sense now!”. It’s so reassuring to know that we are not alone in feeling this way.
This is soo me - I only accepted and embraced my introversion these last few years but it has changed EVERYTHING for me! Now I love being this way, like you I find I really supercharges my creativity. Being alone literally charges me up so I can get back out into the world and be my energetic self again. It’s such a tricky balancing act though, and I so easily slip into extremes. Really enjoying the peace and quiet of January, I think I’ll be hibernating for the foreseeable!
When you accept it and reframe it, it becomes a positive rather than a negative! Power to the introverts! 💥
A perfect read to find on world introverts day. I also recharge best alone.
Thanks Lisa, and welcome!
Thanks for sharing Hannah - your descriptions of uni sound so familiar!
I partied a lot at uni and as much as I had fun, I didn't really know myself. So I just said yes to invites to go out but with little regard to some of the discomfort I felt i.e., when l didn't have the energy and would then spend the next day shattered in lectures, or spend afternoons napping in bed. Although that just makes me sound like a typical student...
I suspect you’re not alone there. I just thought I was a bit strange for feeling like that at uni but now I understand why and that it is just how I am wired. I guess life would be boring if we knew all of these things from birth!
While reading I was thinking, “yes yes yes that’s me, too, where can I sign this please” 🤭love how you’re easing into the new year, Hannah!
The earrings are stunning and I love how your parents mananged to get them secretly
I'm so glad it resonated Carmen! I think acknowledging and understanding how important it is for me to have time to recharge has been quite a revelation over the past year.
The earrings made me so happy. I wore them on New Year's Eve and I love them.
Wishing you a gentle, calm and creative 2024! ✨
That looks like a perfect brew! 👌🏻 I am very much like you insofar as needing recharge/quiet time. I don’t think I was always like this; it’s definitely more apparent in the last ten years or so.
Shared 🫖 goals!
I think I’ve become much more aware of my introvert tendencies as I’ve got older which has allowed me to lean into them, but it’s hard to say whether they’ve always been there or not. It’s an interesting one.
Happy New Year and thank you for reading and supporting my writing and creating in 2023 🧡
How lovely of your Dad to give you the earrings, the perfect Christmas gift!
About books, are you familiar with Susannah Conway's Londontown? A little gem with her pictures that always make me long London. Last time was in June 1997...
I don’t know it, but I will seek it out! Thank you!
Susannah is a lovely soul worthy of checking out if you do not know her from before 🤗