Micky
Conferences kick my ass big time. Don’t get me wrong - love the sessions, learning & discussing & meeting people …but it takes A LOT of energy & I take longer & longer to recover.
After idw2023 I pretty much hid in a cave all of last week. only came out for few wdpd toots in German. Today I feel like I’m still running on only 20% of my energy.
Curious to hear how fellow introverts deal w this. What do you do to recover or to not wear yourself out so much in the 1st place?
Nov 5, 2023 at 4:17pmWeb
Show threadShelly BlackNov 6, 2023
@mickylindlar During the conference, if there's a live stream, I might watch some from my hotel room. After the conference, I try to schedule at least one day off. But I still feel like it takes a long time to recover.
Show threadMickyNov 8, 2023
@ShellyYBlack the live stream option is a good idea. and i def have to be better about taking time off afterwards. and then actually recovering during that day and not tackling hundreds of over things that need to be done. thanks for the tips!
Show threadJack O'SullivanNov 6, 2023
@mickylindlar I think covid masked the effect of ipres for me this year! It's difficult. I try to limit the extent to which I wear myself out. That means making sure I know when I'm tapped out and should leave events and making sure I can find breaks to get away.
Show threadJack O'SullivanNov 6, 2023
@mickylindlar these might sound trite, obvious and/or simplistic but it took me years to recognise that being in social settings was exhausting and even longer to get over guilt and FOMO from just bailing on them. Even now I find myself hanging on at some event knowing that I should have left already and that I'll pay for it later
Show threadMickyNov 8, 2023
@jacko_os yeah, that is a major problem for me, too. at social events i tend to use beer to numb the noise and anxiety down, which of course makes things much worse in every way. you've nailed the combination of guilt & FOMO being the main drivers.
Show threadMickyNov 8, 2023
@jacko_os also, props to you for being able to recognize most of them time when to tap out!
i'm curious if you have similar experiences with overloading yourself with e.g. online meetings / webinars ... especially when it comes to guilt and FOMO. i realize that i book myself into way too many evening webinars / online disucssions, thinking "oh, this is really interesting and might be relevant to work somehow!" in addition to my regular work load.
Show threadJack O'SullivanNov 8, 2023
@mickylindlar I'm generally pretty good at separating work and everything else, and when I'm tempted to let it bleed into evening things, I have a partner who's even better at reminding me :-)
Show threadJhenrySimpsonNov 7, 2023

@mickylindlar I try to remember that mental work is like physical work. Extreme exertion is difficult,
and rewarding, and requires recovery.

There are trade-offs. You need to catch your mind after exertion just like you need to catch your breath. Plan for the recovery, as much as you can, and accept and embrace the consequences. You are tired, and you have grown. Rest, and come again when you are ready.