15 Solo Activities to Recharge After Introvert Burnout
As introverts, we’re happiest when we can spend time alone or with very few people outside of the external world. So, If you’re feeling drained after being in an overstimulating social event, here are a few solo activities you can do to recharge your social battery.
1. Go for a Long Walk or a Mild Hike
Long walks and hikes are great ways to clear your head and simultaneously get some fresh air and exercise. You can also listen to your favorite podcast or audio book to destress, or you can opt to recharge with the soothing sounds of nature. If you can, go at a time when you know there will be very few people around, like early in the morning or later in the evening.
2. Start a Summer or Fall Garden
Gardening is a great solo activity that allows you to reconnect with nature in one of the most intimate ways imaginable: digging in the dirt, watching things grow, and if you grow vegetables or fruit, eating what comes from the garden. If you have the luxury of owning your property that has enough space for an in-ground garden, you can start your garden the traditional way or using a raised garden bed, but if you live an apartment or on a small property with not a lot of yard space, you can start a small container garden using pots and potting soil.
3. Complete a Puzzle
Doing puzzles can help you recharge because all of your mental energy will be directed towards the puzzle. You can choose an easier puzzle like a 100-piece puzzle if you want to use less mental energy, or if your up for a challenge and could choose a more difficult puzzle, like a 1000-piece or 3000-piece puzzle. If you don’t like physical puzzles, you could try crossword puzzles, word searches, or another type of mental activity.
4. Take a Day Trip to the Nearest Beach/Lake, Museum, or Art Show
Solo day trips are an ideal way to clear your head. You can see some new sites or revisit ones, visit some tasty restaurants, or depending on how depleted your social battery is, meet someone new who could brighten your mood. If you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance of a beach, an ocean-side walk is a great way to recharge in the serenity of nature; you might even catch a sunrise or sunset over the water.
5. Sit on the Porch With a Cold or Hot Drink
Depending on where you live and how socially depleted you are, you might want to sit on the back porch instead of the front porch if you have particularly chatty neighbors, but sitting on a porch swing or rocking chair and getting lost in deep thought is a great way to recharge. Bring your favorite hot or cold beverage and a book or a journal, and you’re all set for some relaxing alone time.
6. Cook a New Dinner Recipe While Listening to Your Favorite Playlist
If you’re into cooking or baking, try to find a new recipe that you can make without too much of a hassle, or if you prefer to do more mentally involved activities after being socially drained, you can try a more elaborate recipe and save some for leftovers. If you don’t want to try a new recipe one but still enjoy cooking, whip up an old favorite. My personal favorite is an slow-cooked chuck roast with potatoes and carrots that I can eat from for the entire week.
7. Learn to Knit or Crochet
Knitting, crocheting, or anything that requires you to use your brain and your hands are great activities for recharging. You’ll be so focused on the task you’re doing that you won’t even be thinking about how socially drained you are, and before you know it, you’re in a much better emotional and mental state.
8. Journal Your Thoughts
Because introverts focus on the inner self rather than external things, we tend to favor writing which allows us to clearly reflect on important topics, so journaling is another way you can recharge your battery and simultaneously work out some deeper thoughts you may have.
9. Take Up Creative Writing, Like Poetry or Fictional Stories
Many introverts have a love for literature that tackles deeper issues and topics relating self-discovery, self-reflection, overcoming internal fears, and more. You might try your hand at creative writing yourself to get some of your thoughts onto paper in a more entertaining way, such as writing short stories about characters with your qualities, or writing poetry that portrays how you feel about something.
10. Start a DIY Project, Like Building a Compost Bin or Customizing a Mirror
DIY projects can take your mind off things when you’re experiencing burnout, but make sure to pick a simple enough DIY project that you can do by yourself. Make a compost bin that you can actually use for food scraps and decaying leaves, customize a mirror frame to give it some flare, a candle holder, a vertical planter for strawberry plants, or anything else you could think of.
11. Listen to a Podcast About Your Interests
Podcasts are great ways to learn about new topics that you’re interested in, such as crime stories, self-improvement, self-discovery, or maybe even a podcast specifically for introverts. Some of my favorites include NPR, the Economist, and The Ambitious Introvert Podcast hosted by fellow introvert Emma-Louise.
12. Drive to the Nearest Rural Area and Gaze at the Stars
Stargazing is a favorite past time of mine, although I don’t get to do it as often as I’d like to anymore. You can take in the breathtaking scenery in peace and quiet, unwind, and decompress. If you live in a city with a lot of bright lights and skyscrapers, you might consider driving out of town a few times a month and finding a clear area where you can see the stars clearly.
13. Watch the Sunset
Watching the sunset or the sunrise is another breathtaking scenery that can declutter your mind and ease your spirit after being overstimulated.
14. Read a New Book or an Old Favorite
Reading is another common activity of introverts. You could find a new book or a new author to try out, or if your a creature of habit like I am, you can stick to the authors and genres that you know and love.
15. Watch a Movie or a TV Show With a Glass of Wine
Here’s another one of my personal favorites. I love to find TV shows that I love and rewatch my favorite episodes. I love dry humor, so The Office and Parks and Recreation are two of my favorites. I also like Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and all of the Shrek movies. Make the evening sweeter by including your favorite wine or chardonnay and making a charcuterie board for one.
What are some of your favorite ways to recharge as an overstimulated introvert? Let me know; I love hearing from readers like you!
