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I don't miss office happy hours. Even before I knew I was an introvert, I knew I didn't like them. And now, well... I loathe them, and am grateful I don't have to do them any more.
Back when I still worked in offices, I felt the pressure to participate. But participating in an extrovert-fueled event with enforced socialising and activities designed to "bring people together" was its own form of torture. And I had to mask - hard - to get through each and every one. Smiling through gritted teeth while feeling a burgeoning headache, and counting the hours and minutes till I could make my exit, and get some rest.
Conferences were even worse, because in theory, once the day's sessions were over, I had "nothing to do". A full day of being "on", followed by a full evening of socialising was beyond exhausting.
These events build connection for extroverts, who get their energy that way. For us introverts, they only drain us and guarantee that we won't be at our best the next day.
My solution, which I've talked about before, was to build strategic breaks into my day. Head to my room for 10 minutes of restoration. Arrive late for the evening drinks and leave early when I could get away with it. It was the only way to sustain the energy needed (up to a point) for the duration of the conference. And you can bet I needed a couple days of alone time after it was all over.
What do you do to buy yourself some recovery time?
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Sharon Hurley Hall is an anti-racism educator, author of I’m Tired of Racism, and founder of the SHHARE anti-racism community and of Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter, which provides tools and lived experiences to fuel systemic change. A seasoned professional writer and journalist, she leverages over 30 years of experience to mentor introverted leaders, and is co-founder and co-host of the Introvert Sisters Podcast. Her recent work focuses on helping Black and Global Majority women achieve high-impact visibility and professional influence without the exhaustion of performing extroversion.
© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2026. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).