How To Get Through A Party As An Introvert
The idea of attending a party is likely one of the more intimidating situations introverts can be faced with. With most parties, there are a variety of uncomfortable scenarios, such as small talk, mingling, and meeting new people. Plus, parties are typically loud, crowded, and anything but relaxing.
For introverted people, this can cause dread or discomfort as they are pulled out of their shells. Fortunately, there are some actionable tools that can help make surviving a party doable. Below are some of the best tips to consider when preparing for and attending an upcoming party.
Find A Friend
The best way to make it through any party is with a known person as a companion. Entering an uncomfortable scenario without a buffer can be incredibly difficult.
It is crucial to choose wisely when selecting a friend to attend with, as they should be responsible enough not to ditch out on plans at the last minute. On top of that, try not to bring anyone along unless they have experience dealing with introverts or are one themselves.
For example, bringing an extroverted companion means it'll be easier for them to mingle with strangers and leave their friends alone for long periods of time while they're socializing elsewhere.
In contrast, selecting a fellow introvert to attend the party with ensures that they won’t be skipping off to talk to strangers at any given moment. This added level of comfort and familiarity can make all the difference in an intimidating situation such as this.
Skip The Small Talk
There are many reasons why introverts might prefer to avoid small talk, the main one being that it's just plain hard for them to engage in. Unfortunately, some party scenarios may stem from work, and this can be an especially challenging situation as small talk with coworkers can be unavoidable.
Any sort of forced conversation has the ability to zap an introvert’s social battery exceptionally quickly. In the event that small talk is unavoidable, it is helpful to have an excuse to bow out of the conversation when a limit has been hit.
Some potential reasons to kindly leave a conversation is the need to grab a drink, use the restroom, or take a phone call. Having one of these ready to go can help reduce some of the stress that comes with this type of conversation.
Be Prepared
Having a ride home planned out ahead of time or bringing a separate vehicle is a great way to ensure that there is no chance of becoming stranded or reliant on others to get home.
In fact, just the comfort of knowing that a ride is ready to go can be a huge stress reliever for introverts as they socialize at a party. Once their social battery has been sufficiently drained, they can simply hop in their car or form of transportation and head home.
Another way to be prepared ahead of time is by mapping out a location to take a break when necessary. This could be a backyard, a book collection, the front of a home, or wherever else people are not gathering. Having this space to take a breather can provide some comfort in an unfamiliar situation.
Finally, bringing a game that takes some of the attention away from small talk is the perfect way to reduce forced conversation. One of the most entertaining games for adult parties is known as Cards Against Humanity, and it is sure to keep the guests entertained for quite some time.
Acknowledge Personal Limits
When going to a party, it's important to know and respect personal limits. Don't overdo it, and don't be afraid to leave early if things become too much to handle. The likelihood that others will notice or make a judgment is slim, and sticking around just to appease others is not healthy or advisable.
Extroverted people tend to remain at parties for far longer than introverts based on their ability to recharge during social gatherings. In contrast, introverts find themselves drained as a result.
Understanding that different types of people have different needs is important to reduce any potential guilt or stress about leaving early. Once the conversation hits the point of feeling nearly impossible, it is time to head home.
Additionally, if others are asking questions or attempting to guilt an introvert into staying, being firm with boundaries is crucial. Introverts do tend to have people-pleasing tendencies and go out of their way to avoid any conflict.
When others are pressuring them to stay, they are likely to feel the pull to make the other person happy at the expense of their own comfort. Pushing past this feeling and standing firm in their need to leave is vital for their own well-being.
Begin And End With Alone Time
Preparing for and decompressing from the party is one of the most important aspects of surviving it. Introverts can successfully accomplish this by spending time alone immediately before and directly after the party.
This way, their social battery is optimized and charged up for the social outing. Spending the afternoon before a party at home reading a book is an ideal way to get ready for the strenuous evening. Or, if it’s a daytime party, taking a long bath and cooking a healthy breakfast could be a similar way to charge up.
When it comes to the aftermath of the party, heading home and saying no to any after-party situations is the best way to retain personal boundaries and to make sure that they do not hit the point of total exhaustion or frustration.
Grab A Reward After
After successfully making it through the party, a reward is a great way to reinforce that the party was not all that bad. Having something specific to look forward to come the end of the party is a positive way to remove some of the stress that comes along with it.
If things didn't go so well, remember that it’s perfectly fine to take some time to feel upset about whatever happened and then move on and try again next time. Not all uncomfortable situations can go off without a hitch, and the ability to grab a reward following the event should remain regardless.
Conclusion
With these tips, introverts can hopefully find their next party to be a more enjoyable experience and can cope better as a result. Ultimately, there are not likely to be many parties that introverts will look forward to, but that does not mean they should be miserable either.
Preparing ahead of time and leaning on buffers like a fellow introvert is a perfect way to ease the tension. Socializing is an important part of being human, and although it may be challenging at first, the situation can be healthy and enjoyable with the right mechanisms in place.