Welcome to Day TWENTY TWO of our A-Z+ of Seasonal Sanity Savers – 2024.

It is that time of the year, isn’t it? To unplug.

That’s right, today’s letter is U and the word is Unplug so you can power down and find true calm and peace. We introverts need it at this time of the year.

The festive season can be a sensory whirlwind, leaving even the most resilient of we introverts craving quiet. That’s where the art of unplugging becomes your secret weapon. Whether it’s stepping away from the noise of social media, turning off notifications, or carving out an hour to be gloriously unreachable, unplugging allows you to breathe, recalibrate, and return to yourself.

For some, this might mean yoga, meditation, or soaking up the stillness of nature.

For others, it could be as simple as curling up with music that soothes your soul.

This reminds me of the beautiful piece by Emily W,

Unplug

My heart finds comfort in the growth and happiness of others.
I am at peace in the feel of my fingers against the smooth keys of a piano.
I am proud of the people who inspire others even when they have no inspiration.
I love playing in the rain and looking at the smiles of my friends.

But most of all, I love that I can pick up a pen and some paper and unplug myself from the world.
I unplug myself from the outlet of negativity,
Unplug myself from all this senseless worry,
Overwhelming the circuits of my heart with a burst of electric peace.

The words I write become a gateway to my soul.
They create a universe where I can hear the beat of my heart and know I am still alive.
A place free of expectations that I cannot reach.
A world where I finally feel that it is okay to be me.

I can lose the voice in my head telling me there’s no point in my existence.
I can ignore the feeling that I will never live up to everyone’s expectations.
I finally break free of the weight that has become accustomed to my shoulders.
All that remains is my words, freeing me; mind and soul.

I find peace in the sound of a pen scratching along a piece of paper.
I find joy in the words that I never knew I had inside me.
I celebrate when I am able to unplug from the cold world we live in,
And plug in to my beating, feeling heart.

Welcome to Day TWENTY ONE of our A-Z+ of Seasonal Sanity Savers – 2024.

For today’s letter T, I chose the beautiful and heartwarming word ‘traditions’, but with a twist (ah see another T word). Let us make some new traditions, ones that truly align with our core being and values.

Traditions are lovely, but who says they can’t evolve to reflect who YOU are?

My dear introvert friend, this festive season, consider swapping out rituals that drain your energy for ones that celebrate your introverted spirit. Start and promote a tradition that is focused on our authentic way of being as we introverts flourish truly well when we can be ourselves.

Maybe,

• Create a cosy evening of reading your favourite book by fairy lights
  – A quiet walk through nature,
• Or, an intimate dinner with your nearest and dearest.