As I write this today, my kids haven’t had a full day of school in nearly a month. Between the winter break and recent storms, today is their very first day back. It’s been equal parts madness and magic. Most of all, it’s been a little too reminiscent of the early days of the pandemic. Triggering, some would say. These weeks at home have caused me to reflect on how I’m (still) working to navigate being an extrovert in a post-pandemic world.
At work, as a consultant, I hear about things returning to “pre-pandemic” status at least once a day. The truth is, there’s no going back. Only forward. Different. Need evidence? Just look at the number of restaurants that incentivize using the app rather than coming into the store or the retailers that sell clothes but never reopen dressing rooms.
If you had told me a few years ago that I would long for the days of casual office banter or feel a genuine pang of sadness at the sight of another self-checkout lane replacing human cashiers, I would have laughed. Yet, here I am. The shift to remote work and socially distanced living has been a seismic adjustment, especially for those of us extroverts. My family—my husband included—felt the impact so much that he paused his remote work journey altogether, holding out for an opportunity that would let him return to an in-office environment full-time. That’s a story for another day, but it underscores a vital point: the mental health implications of our new normal are real.
If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. I’m constantly learning and experimenting to find ways to make this work for me. I’m sharing some small but mighty practices that have helped me regain my footing as an extrovert navigating a world that sometimes feels painfully isolating.
Take a Walk
Zoom fatigue is real. It’s draining to stare at a screen, trying to decipher body language or, worse yet, the dreaded camera is off. One strategy that has been a game-changer for me is taking at least one meeting a day on the phone while walking outside. There’s something about moving my body and freeing my brain from the confines of a screen that sparks creativity and clears my mind. Whether it’s a brainstorming session or a one-on-one chat, the combination of fresh air and purposeful movement can be deeply restorative.
Build Your Own Team
One of the things I miss most about traditional office life is the easy camaraderie of coworkers. Remember those moments when you could pull up a chair and hash out an idea, troubleshoot a problem, or just vent or commiserate? Those interactions were invaluable. To recreate that, I’ve built my own “mini-team” of trusted colleagues and friends. We connect regularly—sometimes it’s a quick 15-minute Zoom, other times it’s an in-person co-working session. These check-ins don’t just help with work; they provide a sense of connection and community that I desperately need. The key is to find a way to regularly and reliably do this.
Prioritize Non-Work Activities
When your home is also your office, it’s easy for work to seep into every corner of your day. If I don’t get out of the house to NOT work, work is the only thing I will do at all. That’s why I’ve made it a priority to do something non-work-related every day. For me, it’s weightlifting twice a week during lunch. I get out of the house, interact with people in person, and enjoy a much-needed mental reset.
Your “non-work” activity doesn’t have to be exercise. Maybe it’s a weekly trip to the grocery store where you purposely choose the line with a real cashier. Perhaps it’s chatting with your mail carrier or stopping by a local coffee shop. These small moments of human connection add up and can have a surprisingly uplifting effect.
Reconnect With Friends
Now that I spend all day, every day, on video calls, I’ve rediscovered the joy of other forms of communication. Every day, I make it a point to reach out to a non-work friend. Sometimes, it’s a text or an email; other times, it’s a quick phone call or FaceTime session (note: not Zoom!). This month, I’ve been doing Dry January with a friend, which has given us a built-in reason to check in daily. Other months, I focus on reconnecting with friends overseas or sometimes it’s the “you’ll never believe this thing my kiddo, colleague, spouse, neighbor …did” to a friend that I know will get it and not judge.
These conversations don’t have to be long or deep. Sometimes, just knowing that someone is out there who sees and hears you can make all the difference.
Solidarity and Hope
To my fellow extroverts, I see you. I’ve literally bawled in the grocery store because yet another self-checkout lane has replaced the chance to chat with a friendly cashier. The new world can feel brutal for those of us who crave connection. But there’s hope. With intentionality and a willingness to try new things, we can find ways to survive.
Finding joy in small daily interactions, every effort counts. Let’s embrace this season as an opportunity to get creative and redefine what connection looks like in our lives.
Big hugs and lots of luck. I’m still struggling and learning.
I’d love to hear from my fellow extroverts–what’s keeping you connected these days?
