My favorite type of blog posts are ones that list a bunch of tips. There are tons of lists for time management & self-care, but I haven’t found one that caters to introverts. I roll my eyes whenever I see a tip that says, “If you’re feeling lonely, go to a social event.”
To me, time management for introverts means making time work for you. Being aware of when your energy levels are at their peak (and at their lowest) is key for time management.
I’ve created a list of 18 time management tips that take into account an introvert’s needs, such as solitude & time to recharge. This list solely focuses on how you spend your time, so you can plan with intention & incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
1. Save “mindless” activities, like errands, for after social interaction (work, social events, networking, etc.) — your brain might be fried, but at least you can get some laundry done!
2. Try saving errands that require you to leave home, such as groceries, for one day & see how you feel: Do you end up taking days to recharge or does it save you energy the rest of the week?
3. Find an at-home exercise & maintain a 30 min/day practice for 3-5 days/week (see my at-home yoga practice here)
4. Set aside time in the morning to make important phone calls all at once — you can get it over with & you only have to mentally prepare yourself once
5. Get groceries the day before you plan to cook your meals — unless you find joy in cooking, you’ll be too tired to do it
6. Try to run as many errands from home, such as online groceries — even extroverts do this; it saves a lot of time & effort!
7. Take a 30 min. nap & wake up 2 hours before a social event or date (or at least be in solitude as much as possible) — you’ll be more energized & have some time to mentally prepare for socializing
8. It’s okay to turn down last-minute plans — you’re allowed to have boundaries
9. Don’t be afraid to schedule a hangout in your own home instead of going out (since going out = getting out of your comfort zone, then your friend should go out of their comfort zone for you, too)
10. It’s okay to limit your time with a friend or at a party— don’t take guilt-trips to heart; just see it as their way of saying they enjoy being with you!
If you’ve seen my 
One thing I learned from exploring introversion is that we don’t just preserve energy from solitude. We also gain energy. My friends never understand how I can go an entire week without going out and socializing. But if I want to have a productive day, staying home is my best bet.
