The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t been paradise for extroverts including myself, but nonetheless we’re not completely hurting like some believe. If anything, introverts are suffering the most.
Yes, it’s true extroverts miss face-to-face interactions, spontaneous trips, parties and meeting new people at coffee shops or airports.
But unlike introverts, we’re adaptable and have treated quarantine as another adventure into the unknown.
An extrovert is a person who is gregarious and unreserved, according to Merriam-Webster.
Extroverts are thrill-seekers and risk-takers who enjoy trying new things and become energized around people. In other words, seeing another human stimulates our brain.
Thanks to technology, we can still socialize and don’t feel completely alone during this pandemic.
Personally, it’s very easy for me to meet people and make new friends and I won’t hesitate to start a conversation.
Although we’re stuck at home, I can easily interact with others through Facetime, Zoom and other online platforms.
Of course, it’s not the same as real-life interactions but I’m still able to stay connected with friends and family.
The more interactions, the better for extroverts.
On the other hand, introverts prefer their alone time. They’d rather avoid conversation and choose not to be bothered.
An introvert is a reserved person who prefers spending time alone, according to Merriam-Webster.
The pandemic has been heaven to them, or at least it was at first.
Introverts who love staying home and flaking on social plans have now become zombies.
The viral TikTok phrase “I feel like I’m dead. I’m alive but I’m dead” would best describe their current state.
But now introverts have had to bring normal social interactions that were once only reserved for the outside world into their homes. Their at-home peace has now become a place of chaos.
Living rooms that were once a sanctuary from people-filled offices, gyms, bars and coffee shops became all those things at once, according to an April 2, 2020 MIT Technology Review article.
Introverts are not wired for full-time interactions and the pandemic has bombarded them with online school and meetings.
This has caused them to feel drained and socially overwhelmed.
I’m not saying extroverts haven’t felt drained. We feel exhausted, but extroverts can easily recover because we feed off of thrill and excitement.
Extroverts see the positive side of things when faced with low points in life and when we do hit rock bottom, we don’t stay there for long.
Researchers have found extroverts are more likely to agree with statements such as “I’m calm in the face of danger,” while introverts have greater COVID-19 related nervousness and fears, according to an April 30, 2020 Forbes article.
Despite introverts enjoying their alone time, they are experiencing more loneliness than extroverts as the pandemic continues.
Half of introverts reported increased levels of loneliness compared to one-third of extroverts, according to an August 2020 study conducted by Nixplay, a digital frame company.
The same study found 31% of introverts report higher instances of unhappiness, compared to 12% of extroverts.
Whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, we have all experienced the lows of the pandemic. Our mental health has deteriorated and it’s been rough for everyone.
Extroverts seek adventure and a challenge and the pandemic has allowed us to be creative and discover new ways to adapt.
Staying home is not an extrovert’s perfect situation and we’ll never truly be homebodies, but we keep exploring new methods to make the pandemic exciting.
