Are you an introvert or an extrovert? That’s a question most people have been asked. For many years, I didn’t really know the difference between the two. I thought that extroverts were loud and enjoyed social situations while introverted people were always quiet and liked to be alone, when in reality being an introvert or an extrovert boils down to one thing: social self-care. Now, what do I mean by that? Social self-care is the act of taking care of yourself through positive social interactions and relationships. The key difference between introverts and extroverts is that while introverts tend to practice social self-care by themselves, extroverted people practice it with others. So whether you are looking for ways to practice self-care with others or by yourself, you have come to the right place.
A tried and true method of social self-care is joining clubs. Clubs are not just amazing for retaining old hobbies, but also for finding new hobbies and new friends. Since there are over a hundred active clubs at Berkeley High School, there is bound to be one that you like. By going to clubs — especially niche clubs — you can find people with the same interests as you! Since BHS is giant, it can sometimes be hard to find your people, but clubs can help you to connect to people with similar interests. By finding people to hang out with who have a positive social impact on you is, by definition, social self-care.
On the flip side, a big part of social self care is setting boundaries and knowing your social limits. It is important to know that everyone is different when it comes to social interactions so what might be right for someone else, isn't necessarily right for you. Whether it be saying no to an event, saying no to a favor, or saying no to anything that can drain your energy, sometimes taking time to recharge is the best option. For me, I like to have one day over the weekend to hang out with friends and be social, while the other day is set on resetting myself for the upcoming week. The word boundaries has a negative connotation, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth, according to Stanford University, “Boundaries help determine what is and isn’t okay in a relationship … we put them in place to protect our well-being. They help us to build trust, safety, and respect in relationships … It requires a certain amount of self-awareness and reflection.”
The last thing that I will be talking about today is recharging your social battery. You have a range of options to choose from to help recharge yourself. One way is to hang out with a group of friends, which can help to form deep connections. Another way is to go to a live event, like a concert, and meet new people. Overall, social self-care isn't just about talking to people, but forming deep relationships and to enrich your social well being.