This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are finding ourselves stuck at home with our loved ones. For those in relationships with introverts, this can be a challenging time. I should know – I've been there myself.
Growing up, I lived with my late mother, an extrovert, and my late father, an introvert. My mother would often come home from work and expect everyone to join her in dancing. My father, on the other hand, would sigh in surrender and ask us to join in, even if there was no particular reason to celebrate.
As an extrovert myself, I never understood why someone would sit in the house and sulk all day. To me, if you didn't feel like talking to anyone, it was better to take a walk or lock yourself in a room. But my ex-boyfriend, who was an introvert, understood me perfectly. He would often joke that I was his 'cute little routine' to brighten up his dull days.
However, when he needed his peace, he would avoid coming back home when I was still awake. He would even call his sister to ask if I was asleep yet, so he could sneak out and get some rest. I would often tease him, sending him texts like 'Baby, please, not today. Just stay calm when I come back home in the evening as I have deadlines to beat.'
Looking back, I realize that being in a relationship with an introvert requires a lot of understanding and compromise. As an extrovert, I need to be mindful of my partner's need for alone time and make sure I'm not overwhelming them. And for introverts living with extroverts, it's essential to communicate your needs and boundaries clearly.
So, to all the introverted humans out there, I want to say: hang in there, things will be fine soon. And to my fellow extroverts, let's be considerate of our partners' needs and make this lockdown a little more bearable for everyone.
