An Introvert's Guide to Joy
I don't know about you, but for me…
being an introvert can sometimes suck the joy out of learning, living and being.
Really.
As an introvert, I need time away from the crowd and noise to regain my energy. It's not to relax! Far from it. It's to spend a bit of time in a quiet place, doing quiet things like reading or watching a movie. My extrovert husband is often amazed at the level of energy I have after my quiet times.
But, one hazard I must be mindful of is being diverted from my purpose in life, my goals for the day, my overall well-being. This happens when I turn on the television and watch too much news (‘if it bleeds it leads' has never been more true in this era of 24/7 news). It also happens when I see too many commercials that focus on making me feel better with a pill, an herb, a supplement…it's also a clear indication that I've been watching television too long.
How to combat this and get some Joy back into my life, or keep the Joy I have?
First – turn off the television!
Then…
Talk nicely to myself: I give myself regular pep talks while I'm working on something. Like writing this blog post! I might read through for editing and think “ooh, great line!” or “glad to see I put in there!” I pat myself on the back for a job well done, such as when I finish a webinar or am able to help a customer or team member move forward with their plan.
Get really connected: Too much social media or generic texting gets in the way of my seeing YOU as a person, which in turn can make me feel disconnected. I physically talk with someone every day. It's okay that we're using technology to do it, but it's vital that I hear another person's voice. And we talk. This is beyond a business call. This is talking to someone who cares about me and my life and what I'm doing. When my husband is out of town we talk on the phone. When he's home, we talk face to face every morning and very night.
Say thank you: I say it aloud when I begin my day. I thank God for giving me the day to be a part of and ask that He join me throughout the day. I've never been able to keep a gratitude journal, but I rarely miss a day when I don't have a quiet moment to be thankful for what I have in my life.
Get moving: A big one for me and one I struggle with. It's suggested that I schedule 30 minutes a day to move on purpose. And I still manage to not do it. *sigh* This is one of those habits I just haven't gotten a hold of…yet. When I do move, though, it's great! Whether it's a walk outside in the woods or with friends or actually working out with weights.
Meditate: I meditate on a regular basis, usually 15 minutes, and after I've said my prayers. I look at it this way – I pray to talk to God, I meditate to listen to what He has to say. It's a way for me to connect with my Spirit, feel centered and get focused.
Understand unhappiness when it happens: This means I ‘get it' when I'm down. I'm reacting to something that is happening to me or around me. I'm not required to be joyous when bad things happen. But, it's important that I keep moving forward in spite of the bad things…and as quickly as possible. This ability has helped me and my husband to get through many, many bad things, tragedies and extreme stress.
Share your passion: I volunteer my time to work with women who need to learn life skills. I also have this blog and the business associated with it to showcase my passion for Learning and Doing and Taking Action to be independent.
These really do work. Overall, when I look back at the last 7 years of owning a business, they've really helped me to keep moving forward and get through the rough patches.
What about you? I'd love to know what you're doing to maintain a level of Joy in your life!
