Time Management Tips for Introverts: Self-Care

Have you ever wondered how other introverts balance solitude and social interaction? Check out these 18 time management tips that take into account how social interaction drains the energy levels of introverts! Start scheduling your day with self-care in mind!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!

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Yoga YouTube Classes: My Yoga with Adriene Playlist

Do you have a hard time choosing a yoga video out of millions on YouTube?! Here is a guide to my yoga YouTube playlist for every mood & situation with my favorite yogi! #yoga #yogainspiration #yogatransformationIf you’ve seen my Instagram stories, you know that I “attend” yoga YouTube classes on Yoga with Adriene.

I love practicing yoga at home because I don’t feel pressured to meet everyone else’s pace. I also just love not leaving the apartment… Not to mention, Adriene is sweet, hilarious, and down-to-earth. She never forgets to remind you to take your time & not push yourself.

Honestly, sometimes I feel like she’s reading my mind. She’s so intuitive!

Adriene always says, “Showing up is the hardest part.” For me, showing up was hard, but choosing a video was the hardest. I’d sit on my mat and scroll through all her videos, fast-forwarding & saying, “Meh, I can’t do that pose” or “Ugh, not feeling it.” Eventually, I’d run out of time or push it off ’till later.

After a 5-year on-and-off relationship with Adriene, I finally found my go-to videos for every mood & situation. Now, showing up is the hardest part. But when I finally get on my mat, I know exactly where to go.

Don’t worry, you will too with my guide below. Click here for a free printable version!

 

Things to Remember if You’re Just Starting Out:

  • You will get more flexible with time
  • Listen to your body & don’t push yourself–you’re not weak for using a modified pose
  • Let go of any expectation of your body or mind
  • It’s normal to get frustrated, even if you’re supposed to be zen — again, NO expectations

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Introvert Survival Kit

Are you an introvert or homebody? Check out this introvert survival kit to find convenient home and lifestyle essentials to live a fully & happy life from the comfort of your own home! #house #apartment #stayathome #stayathomemom #stayathomedad #student #collegelife #dormOne 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.

I don’t feel completely alone because I have my pup and my boyfriend on Skype most of the time (he lives on the other side of the U.S. in Seattle). We don’t talk constantly, but we do have 20 min. carved into our day for face-to-face conversation with no distractions. He’s an ambivert, so most of the time he’s playing video games and talking on a mic to strangers (yeah, I don’t understand either). And I do my own thing as if he’s not even there.

A question I often get is, how do you even survive being at home for so long? So I thought it would be fun to share my Introvert Survival Kit that helps me live a full & happy life from the comfort of my own home.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything through them, I will get a small referral fee and you will be supporting me & my blog at no extra cost to you, so thank you!

Introvert_Survival_Kit_Hamilton_Beach_Glass_Electric_Kettle

Glass Electric Kettle

This is a MUST to stay hydrated without just drinking water all day. It boils water super fast so I can get to drinking my coffee or tea to start off my day.

Introvert_Survival_Kit_KONA_French_Press

French Press

The smell of coffee gives me life every morning. I especially love when I don’t have to leave the apartment for it. A French press is so easy to use and makes me enough coffee for 3 days. I usually put 5 heaping tablespoons of coffee and fill it with water, 1 inch below the brim of the French press. It’s important to turn off the electric kettle immediately after the water starts boiling, so it’s not too hot to burn the coffee.

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Sensitive Skin: Morning Skincare Routine

Sensitive skin has plagued me since I was young. I’ve faced (literally) dryness, tightness, itchiness, irritation, acne, & an oily T-zone. I found out the hard way that conventional skincare for acne-prone skin is not for me.

Tried everything under the sun from Proactive to prescription creams. Spent tons on monthly facials, chemical peels, and even acupuncture & herbal medicine. Don’t even get me started on all the natural skincare products I’ve tried!

Natural skincare products can still contain harsh sulfates, such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). SLS is what makes cleansers foamy, leaving your skin feeling squeaky clean. It’s been the main ingredient of virtually every cleanser until recently. Unfortunately, it’s also a known irritant that can damage & dry out your skin.

Have you used a foamy cleanser that cleared up your acne initially then caused worse breakouts than before? I experienced this with popular natural name brand products, and I was devastated because I thought I was doing everything right. I found that natural doesn’t always mean gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Fast forward to 2015 when I found the magic of oils in skincare routines. These are still natural beauty products but don’t have irritating ingredients like SLS. I haven’t looked back since!

Read more about why I started using oil products in my Biossance Squalane Oil review here.

Here’s my morning skincare routine (in the order that I use them) that moisturizes & keeps my sensitive, acne-prone, & combination skin feeling healthy. I no longer experience dryness, tightness, itchiness, or irritation & my acne-prone skin has minimal acne, no more breakouts, and no oil slick throughout the day.

I’m allergic to fragrance as well, so my entire skincare routine is fragrance-free & SLS-free (great for highly sensitive skin!)

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Biossance Squalane Oil Review

What is Squalane?

The main ingredient of Biossance products, squalane oil, has answered my skin’s prayers. It moisturizes skin, retains moisture, & balances oil production. Squalane oil is nothing new. Your skin already produces its own kind, squalene, but produces less as you age. Click here for more information on squalane.

Why Biossance?

There are plenty of companies that sell squalane, so why choose Biossance?

This company engineered a sustainable, 100% plant-based form of squalane using sugarcane. Compared to squalane’s main sources: shark liver and olives, I’d say Biossance hit the jackpot. I’m sure you understand why Biossance avoids harvesting squalane from shark livers, but why avoid olives?

Here’s their answer: “The quality of squalane produced depends on weather and crop growth, and can be unreliable” using olives.

Think of your favorite beauty product. Now imagine how you’d feel if they stopped selling it. Nothing’s worse than saying goodbye to your favorite beauty product forever, especially if it’s a vital part of your skincare routine! Using sugarcane, Biossance can continue to make squalane goodness for years to come.

Why Oil?

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