Being an Extrovert During a Pandemic, Part 2

Editor's note: In part 1, Steven shared how he developed an extroverted personality after years of being quiet and timid. Steven reflected on the mental and physical toll of the COVID-19 pandemic for people who identify as extroverts.

I do not think in my 27 years of living that I have ever asked myself if I was really okay. I had to ask myself this because I was never alone. I realized that I always spent my time with another person or amongst a crowd.

Do I enjoy being alone?

This sudden feeling of isolation made me really stop and think if I really enjoyed being around people or if I did not enjoy being alone. Month after month went by and I was constantly alone in my own apartment. I knew I had a cell phone or laptop to communicate, but it just wasn’t the same anymore.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I would still hang out with my close friends. But the worse the pandemic got, the less I was able to see them.

Many of them became weary of hanging out when close friends or family members contracted COVID-19. The smaller my circle got, the more I asked myself if I was really taking a holistic approach to my overall health.

I wasn't feeling as good as I used to

I started asking myself this because I was gaining a few extra pounds and just wasn’t feeling as good as I used to.

Before COVID-19, I was going to the gym about five to six times a week just to maintain my overall physical health. Not having access to a gym has really taken a toll on my body because I do not feel as confident and healthy as I used to be.

Finding motivation to keep pushing

I have really had to push myself to do at-home workouts and find the motivation to keep on pushing. Believe me: I have slacked off for a few months and have even gained a few pounds, but it is and will always be a constant battle because I enjoy delicious food.

Little moments of socializing

I realized I even would socialize at the gym from time to time, especially if I had a workout partner. It seemed like everywhere I went and looked, I was talking to people or socializing.

Caring for my overall well-being

At a certain moment, I realized that this pandemic is still here and may be until further notice and that I had to make a change.

I started calling my friends and family more just to talk on the phone; I was only in a funk because I could not see them in person. I realized that I was not alone in this and that they were just a text or phone call away.

Socializing virtually

I utilized my Zoom account to have small group conversations with friends over a glass of wine. It seemed like the more that I would call them, the more that they also called me. Some friends would Facetime me while we both made dinner separately in the comfort of our own apartments.

I even started asking friends if they had any healthy recipes or at-home workouts that I could try.

Getting back to my old self

We are over a year into this pandemic and I have to start being my old confident self again.

I can no longer let my mental, physical and emotional health be affected by what is going on in the world.