A Community of Introverts? Is That a Thing? It is Now.
Extroverts are welcome too. 😉
Being an Introvert
I love that graphic. I feel like it really speaks to the nature of introverts, but full introversion can lead to isolation, which is not good for your physical or mental health. Introverts need people too.
I am an introvert. People are always surprised when I tell them this because I can be quite outgoing under the right circumstances. I can lead a class, course, or retreat, and offer guidance to people as an expert in my fields (yoga and acupuncture). I have confidence in myself and my abilities, and feel comfortable in my skin. Sometimes people confuse this confidence and comfort with extroversion.
I am introspective. I like to chew on things for awhile before bringing them out into the world. I think that’s why I enjoy writing so much. It gives me time to choose my words, orchestrate what I want to say, and then put it out there when it feels right. I like to ponder over ideas, let them simmer and stew for a bit, allowing time for their full flavor to burst forth when they are ready. Okay, now I am hungry. Sorry, back to the point.
Ideas come to me as bursts of inspiration. I get an idea for something I want to do or create, but I can only see the big picture at first. After a few days or sometimes weeks (or months), the ideas take shape and I can share them with others.
That’s how my Yoga Book Club Retreat came to be. I thought, “wouldn’t it be fun to discuss a book over the course of an entire weekend, rather than just an hour. You could go really deeply into different aspects of the book. But then we’d need to move, because sitting for long periods is hard.” Yoga, book discussions, walks, and meditation. It all came together.
My people
People in my “orbit” tend to have personalities similar to mine: introverted, Type A, current or former perfectionists, and people who have (or are working toward) a growth mindset. I also fully welcome extroverts, I don’t discriminate, but people who tend to come to my classes and retreats have one or many of these attributes. Type A perfectionists over 50, you are my people!
As an introvert, I need alone time to recharge. I need quiet time to be the best version of myself for when I do show up at my job, and with my loved ones. If I don’t get enough recharge time, it’s not good for me or anyone who interacts with me. I also can’t be the person I want to be.
I do my best to prioritize sleep (when my hot flashes cooperate), move my body regularly (yoga, walking, swimming), eat well, and drink enough water. When I am really on the ball I also journal regularly and meditate. These are all things I do by myself and are essential to my feeling healthy and whole.
Community
But community is so important. It’s easy for me to hide away by myself and never see other people, outside of work and family. Having a community of people to connect with fills me in a different, but essential way.
Connecting with like-minded people is one of the benefits of being human. Sharing, feeling seen, heard, and valued, and learning from each other makes life far more interesting. Feeling connection in a group where everyone has an open heart and open mind is a space I want to be in for as long as possible.
I love being able to discuss shared human emotional experiences, like grief, joy, fear, and anger. Everyone has these feelings, but sometimes we feel alone in our feelings. I hold space with love and compassion so that nobody feels alone. I’ve been there, and I know you’ve been there too. A space for shared humanity is what I aim to create with Sangha Sundays, an online community dedicated to growth through yoga, mindfulness, and owning our humanity. All hearts are welcome.
Power of Yoga
Last Spring I wrote a series of essays covering the Yamas and Niyamas, the first 2 Limbs of Yoga. You can read those posts here if you missed them.
These yogic principles are meant to guide us toward leading a more peaceful and easeful life, and helping us get out of our own way.
Principles such as Ahimsa/Non-Harming, teach you to be kinder to yourself and others, both in thought and action.
Santosha/Contentment helps you to be content with what you have, which can be a challenge in a society that drives you toward more. Gratitude helps with this.
Svadhyaya/Self-Study helps direct your attention inward, encouraging you to look at the stories you tell yourself and ask “is this actually true?” Understanding who you are and how your mind works helps relieve you of the suffering that you inflict upon yourself through “shoulds.”
These are some of topics we’ll be discussing in the Sangha Sundays monthly group. It is through these principles and others that you can learn to let go of your perfectionism and embody “enough.” You are allowed to set down your anxiety, perhaps with non-attachment, while staying deeply engaged in your life. Maybe you want to slow down, have more time to think and process your “stuff,” and feel more at ease in your body and mind. Having the accountability of a group can make all the difference.
I would love for you to join me for Sangha Sundays!
Details:
We’ll meet online the 4th Sunday of each month, starting September 22, 2024, 6:30pm ET.
You will receive a journal prompt earlier in the month to use once or multiple times, based on the topic of the month.
Each meeting I’ll give a short “lecture” about the topic of the month, then open up a discussion. You can share your insights, ask questions, or simply listen and absorb.
You can drop in to a single session, or get a subscription. All Purple Room Yoga’s online class subscribers and all Substack paid subscribers get a special rate that’s 50% off the drop in price! There will be a special email going out about that soon.
I will hold a free info session on Sunday, August 25th at 6:30pm ET where you can find out more! Anyone who attends that session will get 50% off their first month of Sangha Sundays. Click the button below to sign up for the info session!
Thank you so much for being here, I am so grateful for you! Please tap the “heart” so that I know this post was something that you wanted to read. To support my work, please become a free or paid subscriber. Everyone gets full access to all of my content, and paid subscribers get a discounted rate for Sangha Sundays (should you choose to join in the fun). I appreciate you reading my writing regardless.
Play with me on the mat!
Join me online daily at Purple Room Yoga, an online yoga studio for active adults over 50 who want to stay active with yoga! Classes are live online as well as on demand. I offer classes for beginning through experienced students, plus stretch classes, meditation, and mindful core.
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I've always been more introvert than extrovert, using the old term ambivert, always fit my personality well, but in recent years, since the pandemic I find myself much more of an introvert and that works just fine for me. I think as we age too, we might become more introverted, quieter, reflective. Most of the people I gravitate towards are also introverts, as well as former or still practicing Type A's, which you mentioned! I am definitely one of your people Janine! I'm so glad you're here!
I love the idea for introverts to have a community. It’s hard to explain to people how I need quiet time - alone time - to recharge. How I can only hang out for a few hours because after that it’s too much.
My husband is an extrovert and always wants to do things. I’m happy in my pajamas, a book, and some coffee