One of my favorite parts of college has been all the opportunities to meet new people and socialize. I love that I get to live with my friends, go out on new adventures, and create my own family away from home. I love that I get to be a social butterfly, but I also know that I must set aside time at least once a week to charge my social battery. I have always been an independent person, so over the years I have accumulated many different activities that I like to partake in when I want to spend some time by myself. Here is a mix of my 5 favorite activities and tips on how I recharge my social battery.
- Take Some Time to Be Outside
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One of my favorite activities has been to walk to a nearby park and go on the swings. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Shanise, the swings are for the kids!” Yes, this is true, but there is something that is so freeing and simple about swinging on a nice, warm day. I highly recommend that you give it a try, it might just surprise you. Some other fun outside activities I like to indulge in are picnics, bike rides, and reading outside.
- Learn to Gauge When You Need a Break
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It is important to understand that everyone’s social battery is different. While I’d love to have the capabilities of an extrovert, I am an introvert and that’s okay too! Begin to realize the cues that tell you that you need to take a step back from social situations. Personally, I know that I need to take some time to recharge my battery when I begin to feel tired, or when I don’t have much energy to maintain conversations.
- Take Yourself Out on a Date
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Taking myself out on dates are one of my favorite activities to do by myself. Typically, I will spend time getting ready and picking out a cute outfit to wear out. Then, I take myself out to eat, go buy myself flowers, or take myself shopping. You can choose to go wherever makes you happy or even stay in for the night and watch a movie or make a nice dinner for yourself. The purpose of taking yourself on a date is for you to relax, have fun by yourself, and build up your independence.
- Alexa, Play Independent Woman by Destiny’s Child
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Regardless of if you relish spending time by yourself, it can be hard to be independent. I started taking myself out on dates when I was in high school and I remember thinking to myself that people probably thought I was a loser for eating by myself or going on a walk alone. With each time, I began to feel more comfortable that it became an empowering experience. If the thought of going out alone in public makes you anxious, try choosing activities that will keep your mind occupied. It will prevent you from focusing on everyone else around you. Remember to take it one experience at a time, and if you continue to enjoy it, keep going!
- Did Someone Say, Self-Care Night?
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Ah, there is nothing better than a good ole’ self-care night. This can consist of any activities that help you unwind and keep you relaxed. Some of my favorite things to do is to take a long shower, make some tea, watch a good romantic comedy, and head off to bed early. Sometimes you are going to be exhausted from a week of social events and you just need to stay in and take care of yourself. Take a nap, scroll on your favorite social media platform, or start a DIY project, just do whatever is going to make you feel refreshed.
Ultimately, it is important to be in tune with your social battery so that you make sure you don’t wear yourself out. It can be tempting to keep your social battery going, especially if your friends are begging you to go out with them. Remember to always prioritize yourself and your well-being. Do what you need to recharge your battery and then get back out to going on adventures, making those college memories, and being the life of party!