title taken from “Stress Free” by Teddyson John

Even Introverts Are Sick of Quarantine

How many of you are tired of this Coronavirus quarantine? Not because you do not like your home, but because your balance is off. Things we took for granted like brunch, movies, parties, and other activities that helped us cope with the stress of daily life have been taken away. We no longer get to decide what events we will and won’t attend. We are mandated to “stay home.” That sucks. Even as an introvert, I’m sick of quarantine.

I live in Brooklyn. On a typical Saturday, I take walks along Eastern Parkway, go to the movies, or grab brunch with a friend at one of my favorite Caribbean restaurants. At night, you would find me at any stush fete drinking rum and wining on something cute. When the city announced that they were going to implement social distancing, I was totally fine with the idea of not having to commute to the office or make small talk with coworkers. But when Governor Cuomo announced that “the state will institute limits on mass gatherings, directing events with 500 or more individuals in attendance to be cancelled or postponed,” it was clear that my weekends would be severely impacted.

It was no longer my decision to avoid social activities, it was a state-wide mandate. Sure, I could read a book or binge watch something mind numbing or even push back the couch and join a fitness class on Zoom. But then what? My anxiety does not stem from just being isolated, but not knowing when that isolation would end.

I spoke with a therapist who was a guest on the BKRantandRave podcast and she recommended journaling. Taking time to write down my thoughts on what is happening is quite useful (hence this blog post). I am contextualizing what the media is telling me versus what I am seeing. People are dying. People are sick. But people are also creating new ways to do business, promote their brands, and engage with family.

I also learned that introverts are not necessarily people who do not like other humans - we just don’t seek out these interactions. In fact, because I do not seek out friendships, the ones that I have are special. I enjoy - and miss - hanging out with my people (one at a time, of course). Whether it’s a Drunk Brunch with Alysia Simone, or a fete with SocaSaySo, I looked forward to these activities.

I also quickly realized that quarantining alone emphasizes isolation. So what do I do now? I take advantage of technology. I have done virtual brunches and my phone calls last a lot longer. I make sure that I check in on people I have not spoken to in a while. In short, I am now seeking out these interactions. Irony.

If you are looking for other ways to cope with quarantine, check out the Rant and Rave podcast episode “5 Tips for A Stress-Free Quarantine” with licensed therapist Dr. Brillant.