10 Ways I Recharge

I am an introvert. No one reading this blog should be surprised. Even though I love people and spending time with my friends, it is a huge drain on my internal battery. Having a social life as an introvert is hard work! Family reunions, a night out with friends, a trip to the store and even just being with my own kids all day physically and emotionally drain me because an introvert processes neurotransmitters differently than extroverts. Incidentally, after spending time with people, I need to recharge and I do it in various ways.  I thought I would share with you some of the things I do in order to charge up and take on the next day.

1. Read a book

Reading a book at the end of a day is near  impossible for me. I am exhausted and don't have any brain cells left for processing written material. However, in the morning or during the afternoon nap hour, it is possible that I can manage to sneak in some reading time. My favorite books include the Bible, anything by Jeff Cavins or Edward Sri, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, Shakespeare sonnets, The Princess Bride, and The Neverending Story. I realize most of these books are also movies. Books are better, people!!

2. Color a page

Coloring books for adults have just busted out mainstream lately. Luckily for me, this is a great way to recharge at the end of the day when my brain has already left me. When I have nothing left to give, coloring in a book can give me what I need without taxing my mind which is already out for the count.

Cross-stitched bear for Sebastian.

3. Cross-stitch

Cross-stitching is one my my favorite evening activities. Although it is time intensive and requires patience, the rewards of seeing the art made gets me through any frustration from the needle. This requires minimal brain power, so most nights I can spend an hour or so on a project and feel accomplishment when I put it away. I don't often make things for myself, but I plan on tackling a bigger project for myself this winter.

4. Plan something

I love to plan things- homeschool lessons, vacations, a new project that requires power tools, etc. The planning part of the project is my favorite. I get to research, make diagrams, write up a set of steps, and exude excitement all over my husband (which is NOT his favorite part). Sometimes just planning a field trip is all it takes to bring myself back to center after a few days playing the role of "extroverted Elyse."

Crocheted Frog/Dog.

5. Crochet

If I am not working on a cross-stitch project, then I am fingers deep in a crochet project. I love to make amigurumi or something the kids can wear. I am not as good with crocheting as I am with cross-stitching because I haven't spent as much time working on the art. Since I can get a little frustrated, which does the opposite of recharging me, it tends to be easier projects that won't take too much time or raise my blood pressure.

6. Binge watch something on Netflix

Can I suggest Sherlock or Doctor Who?  At the end of a very long day (or weekend) there is nothing wrong with a binge session on Netflix. Typically I do this in tandem with another project, but sometimes just watching some TV can aid me in bouncing back to myself.

7. Cook / Bake

I love food!  I love it so much. I like to cook new recipes, bake horrible foods, and eat it all with the family. I try to limit my baking so that we don't gain a million pounds, but making delicious food and then eating it can do so much to soothe my soul.

8. Any other craft.

Photography skills!

This goes hand in hand with #4. After I have planned a project, implementing it is so much fun!  I have made a dry-erase table top, painted family canvases, made chalkboard walls, sewn a dress for Kaelyn, made weeping angels, worked on photography skills and editing... the list goes on. 

9. Sleep

Yes. There are occasions I take a nap or go to bed at 8 pm. I am not ashamed.

10. Stare and do nothing

On those rare occasions nothing helps, just stare at a wall. I do this most often when I am home alone and I just can't do anything because I am fried. If you have to do this, you extroverted too hard.