Shopping, food, and alcohol aren’t a problem on their own in moderation, but when any of them become your primary coping strategy against emotional pain, it can lead to more stress than relief.
Relationships between introverts are extroverts are usually very rewarding, because an extrovert can help bring an introvert “out of his/her shell”, while introverts can help extroverts slow down and take time to think and reflect.
Introverts can sometimes be picked on because they tend to be quieter. They can be misunderstood as being anti-social. Bullying can be trickier to manage as an introvert because you might be less likely to speak up for yourself or less comfortable with asking anyone for help.
In family meetings, avoid being sarcastic and making personal comments. Be honest and try using “I feel” comments: “when you keep telling me I need to get good results to get into college, I feel really stressed and overwhelmed”.
If you need to have a family meeting, try and find a time when no one is angry, upset, stressed or tired. Find somewhere you can sit without being interrupted by the phone, TV or other people. Be willing to compromise and have a number of options you’re willing to accept.
Everyone feels like or fears they are not good enough at some point or another. Fearing that we are not good enough doesn’t make us not good enough; it just makes us human. Remembering this can help you feel less alone if you’re feeling “not good enough”.
Encourage your inner mentor with simple exercises like keeping a “have done” list (as opposed to a “to do” list), taking time each week to reflect on positive experiences, new opportunities, things you feel proud of, and lessons learned.
Everyone gets overwhelmed from time to time, but prevention is the key. Think about what things need to be in place on a regular basis for you to perform at your best. Think about what works for you.
When stress is high, it’s important to know what makes you feel calm and relaxed. Otherwise it’s easy to turn to unhelpful coping strategies. What calms you when stressors are high? Take a moment to reflect so you’re ready when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
It might be easier for you to text or write messages over the internet when first getting to know people in your new area, or you might try to meet people outside of group settings, like when you are working on a project with someone.