12+ Everyday Experiences That Can Be Highly Stressful For Introverts

1. Talking to people

Image Source: Reddit

Navigating the world as an introvert can be overwhelming, and there are some social situations that can be highly stressful. One example, is: talking to people. Now this is an activity that occurs on a daily basis, and it is something we don't particularly put much thought into. However, this can be an extremely stressful and anxiety-iducing possibility for an introvert (especially if it involves people they are unfamiliar with).

2. Being put on the spot

Image Source: Reddit

Now, the majority of people don't appreciate being put on-the-spot, but they won't necessarily struggle dealing with this kind of social situation. For an introvert, this style of interaction, can be one of the most stressful to be involved in. Having to think on-the-spot, will often induce panic for an introvert, and can cause a lot of mental distress. It can often cause them to completely retract from a conversation altogether.

3. Making small talk

Image Source: Reddit

When meeting new people and/or networking in general, you will often find yourself making small-talk in an attempt to 'break the ice'. This simple yet boring style of conversation, can be extremely daunting for an introvert; as they can find it difficult to find common interests with people they've just met. Due to their introverted nature, they may come across as rude or disinterested in a conversation, when in actual fact, they are simply just observing the flow of the conversation.

4. Job interviews

Image Source: Reddit

Job interviews are one of the worst social situations for an introvert to be in, as they can be unpredictable and can easily lead to an introvert overthinking/panicking in general. A lot of this anxiety and panic will start way before a job interview. For example, they may find it difficult to actually apply for a job (even if they are more than qualified for the role), this will then lead to them carefully planning the right outfit for the interview and ensuring they have all of the correct paperwork for their interview.

5. Phone calls

Image Source: Reedit

Another stressful everyday activity for introverts, is: receiving and/or making phone calls. Sometimes phone calls are necessary for contacting certain people e.g. booking a doctors appointment, phoning into work, contacting emergency services or making a dinner reservation. However, if communication can be completed via a text message or e-mail, you can bet you bottom dollar, that an introvert is going to opt for one of these alternatives!

6. Meeting new people

Image Source: Reddit

General socializing can be a big source of anxiety for introverts, and this increases ten-fold when it involves meeting new people. You will often find, that when an introvert is comfortable with certain people, they will be a lot more relaxed and show another side of their personality. However, if they are faced with meeting new people, you will often find they are a lot more withdrawn and 'separate' from the overall group.

7. Dealing with people without proper time to decompress

Image Source: Reddit

Having time to decompress between social events, is essential to preventing burnout for an introvert. Social decompression can present itself in many forms, and will differentiate for each introverted individual. This can include: having at least an hour before heading back out into a social event and/or taking a break from social media at set times in the day. If an introvert isn't given the opportunity to decompress properly, they will struggle to thrive within certain social gatherings.

8. People dropping by unannounced

Image Source: Reddit

Inviting people round to your house is a normal activity, and is something you don't give much of a second-thought to. In some cases, you may have an unannounced visitor, which can be a nice surprise if it a friend, family member and/or loved one. Having someone drop by unannounced, is one of the most stress-inducing situations for an introvert, as they haven't been given ample time to mentally and physically prepare for social interaction.

9. Being asked direct/personal questions

Image Source: Memes

Similarly to being put on-the-spot, introverts often struggle when being asked direct and/or personal questions. This style of questioning can be quite invasive, and in some cases, upsetting for an introvert. They can be made to feel quite vulnerable, and can lead them to lose trust for the person questioning them and/or people in general. The only time this questioning may be effective, is when an introvert is in a familiar setting with people they trust (and are comfortable with).

10. Group projects

Image Source: Reddit

This next experience is likely to happen within an education or work-based environment. The experience in question, is: group projects. Group projects can be overwhelming and extremely anxiety-inducing for introverts, as they are often placed within a group of people they're unfamiliar with, and will often overthink about how said people perceive them. Due to their introverted nature, they will mainly observe the group's activities, and have very little vocal input.

11. Speaking in front of a large group

Image Source: Reddit

Another everyday experience, that is often linked with the previous point, is: speaking in front of a large group (public speaking). Introverts will often have to plan out every little thing they want to say, how they're going to say it and whether other people will understand what they are talking about. The best way to support an introvert with this activity, is by giving them smaller sections to present and encouraging them as much as possible.

12. Giving someone negative feedback

Image Source: Reddit

Something that can be difficult for introverts, is having to hand-out negative feedback to others. The majority of introverts have a bad habit of overthinking, so if they have to give someone negative feedback, they will often be overanalyzing what the other person may think of them. They will often worry that the person receiving the feedback, takes it personally and thinks that the feedback reflects their personal thoughts/opinions.

13. Staff meetings

Image Source: Twitter

Yet another work-based experience that is stressful for introverts, is: staff meetings. Staff meetings can be stressful for everyone involved, and are often a huge source of anxiety for introverts in particular. Some staff meetings can include the need for presentations, and monthly company check-ins, which can be a daunting concept to an introvert and their unique way of thinking.

14. Leading a meeting/discussion

Image Source: Backblaze

This next point links back to staff meetings and public speaking, and the point in question is: leading a meeting and/or discussion. This can be increasingly difficult, if the introvert in question is new to the company and/or has very little (prior) communication with colleagues. When leading a meeting/discussion, an introvert will often come across as very nervous and slightly panicked. You can support them by making encouraging comments, and reassuring them that they are doing a good job.

15. Working in an open office

Image Source: Reddit

Yet another work-based source of stress, is: having to work within an open office. An open office, refers to a workspace that has areas for working that aren't enclosed in any way e.g. a closed room/separate area for work and leisure. An open office, will usually consist of partitioned desks that are easy to communicate over. The concept of easy communication, and potential disruption within work, is a clear-cut way of turning an introvert away from a potential job opportunity.

16. Heading into the extroverted world

Image Source: Reddit

This next point refers to being alone, and then having to head into a populated area e.g. going to work, going grocery shopping and attending a social event. For an introvert, this daily transition can be highly stressful (and in some cases) can take a lot of mental and physical preparation. Simple tasks like leaving a car/public transport, or even the comfort of their own home, can seem like a mammoth task for introverts (especially on days when their mental well-being is low).

17. Networking events

Image Source: Flex Jobs

Another social obstacle that introverts will often come across, within their professional life, is: networking events. Networking events are one of the many ways that companies connect with other businesses, and build-up working relationships between employees. These events are often densely populated, as there are a plethora of businesses in attendance, and this can be extremely overwhelming for introverts.

18. Confrontation

Image Source: Deviant Art

Confrontation, whether it's physical or verbal, is often uncomfortable for the majority of people and is something people will try to avoid at all costs. For introverts, even the possibility of confrontation developing, is highly stressful (and can often lead to panic/anxiety attacks and complete emotional shut-down). The best way to deal with the concept of confrontation, is by removing an introverted person from the situation (if possible), as this will help diffuse (potential) emotional/physical outbursts.

19. Dealing with people in general

Image Source: Reddit

As you've probably picked up on by now, introverts find dealing with people (in any capacity) highly stressful. Their level of stress, panic and/or general anxiety can differentiate, depending on the situation. For example, if an introvert is around a close group of friends whilst meeting new people, they'll likely have lower levels of anxiety and seem a lot more relaxed. On the other hand, if they are in an unfamiliar setting, and have to navigate a larger crowd of people, they will experience higher levels of anxiety and will seem more withdrawn/distant.

20. Time pressures

Image Source: Reddit

Working to deadlines and strict timeframes, is a normal part of day-to-day life, and many people structure their days around a schedule of some kind. For introverts, this can be a hindrance, or it can be hugely beneficial. Having some form of schedule and structure, can be a great way of managing your time effectively, but it can also be a source of stress (especially if you're struggling to complete tasks you've set out for yourself).

21. Saying goodbye

Image Source: Reddit

Saying goodbye is something that happens everyday, all around the world, and is yet another social interaction we don't give much of a second-thought to. However, this seemingly simple social interaction, can be a great source of stress for introverts. This is mainly due to the build-up around saying goodbye, and how drawn-out the whole interaction can (often) be!

22. Being the centre of attention

Image Source: Twitter

Being the centre of attention, within any social setting, is one of the most stressful concepts for an introvert. They prefer to be an 'active observer' during social gatherings (also referred to as a 'wallflower'), as this allows them to still feel involved in the socializing; without the stress of being completely immersed within larger groups. Being the centre of (any form of) attention, will often increase an introvert's levels of panic and general social anxiety.

23. Attending parties

Image Source: Reddit

There is a particular form of social event/gathering that is the most stressful for introverts, and that social gathering, is: a party. This can range from birthdays, baby showers/gender reveals, engagements parties and wedding anniversaries. During these social events, introverts will often be thrown into the deep-end of socializing, alongside groups of people they are unfamiliar with.

24. Moving house

Image Source: Reddit

During an average lifetime, you're bound to move house at least a couple of times. Moving house is a stressful process, and often takes a lot of preparation and strict scheduling. As you can imagine, moving house can be highly stressful for an introvert, especially if they are moving solo (living alone). The concept of having to contact removal services, and have strangers handling your possessions, often increases anxiety for an introvert; and can cause them to experience higher levels of stress when moving house.

25. Being misunderstood

Image Source: Reddit

For many introverts, being able to clearly communicate with others, is essential for them to becoming more confident with their generalized socializing. However, there are times when their style of communication can be misunderstood by other people (usually people they don't speak to on a daily basis), and this can be highly upsetting and/or stressful for the introverted individual!

26. Insufficient time/space to think

Image Source: Reddit

Yet another stressful experience for introverts, is: having insufficient time to space and/or think. This can be in reference to social decompression, having breaks whilst working and connecting with new people. An introvert will often require more time alone to process their conversations, and general social experiences (usually after being within a large group of people and/or networking with new connections).

27. Being undervalued

Image Source: Reddit

Similarly to being misunderstood, feeling as though they're undervalued, is yet another source of stress and upset for an introvert. Whether it is within a personal or professional setting, experiencing the feeling of being undervalued, will often lead to an introvert completely socially withdrawing and isolating themselves from others. They may not outwardly show that they're upset, and will subtly remove themselves from social interactions; whether its one-on-one or within a group.

28. Condescending behaviour

Image Source: Pinterest

As introverts have much quieter personalities, this can often be misinterpreted as a lack of understanding/initiative. This means they are more susceptible to experience condescending behaviour e.g. condescending remarks, feedback and general conversation. Having to experience this, is often highly upsetting and can cause an introvert to retract socially, and showcase unusual behaviour e.g. angry outbursts.

29. Feeling out-of-place

Image Source: Reddit

For the majority of people, feeling out-of-place, can be quite upsetting and socially jarring. However, for an introvert facing this feeling, this can increase ten-fold! As they're not naturally inclined to being overly social, feeling out-of-place can increase their lack of desire to open-up to people and attend (unnecessary) social gatherings. Experiencing this particular feeling, can often lead to an introvert holding a grudge.

30. Not being able to easily leave social situations

Image Source: Reddit

Finally, perhaps the most stress-inducing experience for an introvert, is: not being able to easily leave a social situation. This can range from leaving a conversation, party, meeting, large gathering of people or leaving any social situation where they're feeling overwhelmed. When being included in any social situation, an introvert will often scope out potential exit routes, and will prepare reasons to exit the situation if/when they become uncomfortable, anxious and/or tired.