All Peopled Out? I Understand.

Commonly an introverts joke, yet even if you are more outgoing than that; then chances are you may have found yourself thinking along the following lines:

"I wish I could take a holiday."

"I wish I didn't have to interact with other people."

"I wish I had my own space."

"I wish I was single."

If you are thinking along the following lines, whether deliberately or otherwise; then chances are you are all peopled out. No different to how sporting referees call "time out" when the players need a break, or a dispute needs to be resolved. Breaks are necessary in order to recharge, and not get fatigued, or worse burn out. Same when you just need some solitude away from others, even from those near and dear to you sometimes. These commands above may come across as wishful thinking, yet some much needed time out (aka. self love and care) is an essential non negotiable action in this time and age...sometimes.

All peopled out? Or about to be?

Come with me.

You are definitely peopled out if you believe that self-isolation (thanks to the COVID-19 Pandemic is the best thing ever (the best thing since sliced bread). One of my Instagram followers encouraged the use of the following hashtag: #isolatetoelevate

So true.

That brings us to another COVID-19 Pandemic invention, that was designed for introverts, and for all of us that feel that other people are way too close to us at the best of times; and that is the need to socially and physically distance. In wintertime, it makes sense (at perhaps all times, where possible) to keep 1.5 meters away from others, so to not contract any germs or the sneezes. Depending on the way you look at things, staying apart can bring us closer together, rather than having the opposite effect. Due to things gaining some form of normality in my hometown of Sydney, Australia: people are quickly forgetting this rule, as there are zero cases of COVID-19 community transmission at present. Therefore it still is not easy having people so close to you, especially when we can all relate to being in lockdown. Cabin fever all round. Face masks have a time and place, but not always. Please.

If you are overstimulated and angry, then you definitely need a break away from others. Just for a little bit, and especially if going to a health retreat is not your raison d'etre, or you just cannot find the time to take rest at that nirvana like level. I get it, we have responsibilities and bills to pay. If a cat (for example) is constantly being petted, without any play time; it will hiss, growl, bite, and scratch. When a cat gets to that level of defence, it only does so because it is overstimulated. If you are exhausted within seconds, minutes, or even hours at a busy shopping mall on a weekend? You've got it, you are not tired, you are just overstimulated, and caffeine isn't going to help all the time. No different to having a bubble around your car while driving in order to avoid accidents. Crowded spaces; confined spaces like aircrafts, and lining up in queues at busy events also adds to the overstimulation of other human beings factor, even though we need each other. As per the below, I rest my case.

If an introvert works in a call center, where they either have to make or take 180 plus calls a day - they will be drained, due to the effects of being overstimulated. Yours truly experienced such in a shop environment, where anywhere from 5-20+ customers want you to serve them all at once. It's all too much!

If it is all too much, then you are highly sensitive, and highly sensitive people need a break from other people often.

That is more than ok. Empaths are in the same vote.

The person who invented that saying that "home is where the heart is" is definitely onto something here. The pandemic has taught us the need to balance going out, and having some home time; yet us humans (just like our fellow animal species) are designed to hibernate, and therefore spend some quality time at home. Then again, hygge is (definitely) a thing.

If you are out a lot, you are surrounded by other people. Nothing wrong with that, yet it can all get a bit too much for us sometimes.

Other signs that you are all peopled out:

You are lacking in self love. In other words, you give more to others, in comparison what you receive from others in return. It is more that ok to receive, and to increase your receptive energy to also feel valued by others in return.

You could be experiencing anxiety at some level. Too much work, and energetic activities around other people, of which includes being social is prone to becoming fatigued. This is where it is important to rest, and appreciate your bed. It is important to sleep well at night, so to have the energy and stamina to face your day, and handle people from all walks of life, difficult or otherwise.

People who do not honour their word, and live a life of integrity, and in turn who are unreliable is one of my pet peeves. If you find people who are either toxic, narcissistic, and/or bore you to tears by repeating the same information over and over; and perhaps engage in boring conversations, are other telltale signs that you need a break from people where possible.

In no way, shape or form am I anti-people (even though I have a mostly anti-social job/business), and I think that people/humanity as a whole are wonderful; however it just comes to a point when being around other people is too much/too overstimulating. Usually this is because you are very busy, whether by choice, and/or forced upon you with the pressures of a hectic, expensive lifestyle. That is not always our fault.

You are also peopled out when you are unwell, and therefore more energy that is normally spent on helping, understanding, and caring for other people is spent on recharging your immune system in order to restore to optimum health again. If you are beyond caring, and you give fewer and fewer f***ks about other people, and on what they and you want; then you are severely burnt out.

Being peopled out is a problem, and it can be serious if it isn't managed right. Stress does not need to be a thing either, in order to recognise this.

In order of brainstorming, you will need to do the following if you find yourself over people full stop:

• For goodness sakes please REST, and isolate yourself from other people where you can.
• If you still want a people fix; then only hang around those people who support and understand you. Affirm that to yourself.
• Engage in self care activities, from receiving a massage to having a bath. It may need to go as far as taking a holiday. Whatever resonates with you, and floats your boat.
• Be grateful for everything that is going great in your life.
• If you love going out, aim to do so at non-peak times. For example, try shopping at the local mall in the middle of the day on a weekday, as opposed to going on a weekend.
• Sleep well. That is a given.
• Eat healthy foods rich in nutrients, and eat when you need to. Please drink plenty of filtered water as well.
• Raise your vibration to abundance, and focus on the good that other people bring you. We need each other.

Remember, being peopled out is not a sin. It does not mean there is something wrong with you. It is just a reminder to have some much needed you time.

You've got this. People still need to help the people.