Forget About Being an Introvert or Extrovert

People have long categorized themselves as an introvert or an extrovert, some very proudly so! I come from a big family on both sides with lots of celebrations, I love taking part in big events like marathons, and I make time to be social with friends. Yet I also enjoy being alone, and when I’m in a new social setting, I tend to watch and listen more often than not. Am I an extroverted introvert? An introverted extrovert? I’ve realized that it doesn’t matter.

The “great pause” of the pandemic took away our choice to socialize, and it quickly spotlighted that even the proudest introverts crave interaction. We all have our own balance of how we choose to be social, and in what amounts. But we do need it. I think a positive outcome of the situation is that we have become a little more understanding and accommodating of people’s socializing preferences. Well, at least I am!

Connecting in New Ways

Again, looking at the bright side of the pandemic, I’ve really embraced technology and new ways to socialize, especially with fitness. I’ve been part of online groups where we met via Zoom, and I really felt connected to the people there despite never being physically near one another. I’ve learned how to teach (and take!) classes via Zoom, and the Sweat With Melissa App has given me a new way to reach people on their terms. They can do classes at their convenience but still connect with me in the app.

As the world is opening up again, I’m loving booking myself into in-person boxing and Pilates classes, and going to conferences and workshops again. Even though I can do most of these things online, getting out and interacting spontaneously with others is refreshing.

We Need Each Other

The Profitable Pilates business retreat that I went to in March was the best investment I’ve made in myself in years; maybe even in forever! We learned, socialized, ate, moved, had facials, shopped, talked, hugged, laughed, and cried. The reviews of others who went to the retreat mentioned all of those things, and how it pushed them out of their comfort zone to experience something life-changing together.

This is what we need more of! It doesn’t matter if you jump into the group headfirst or would rather test the waters slowly… Community is essential to our wellbeing, helps us extend ourselves, offers support, and connects us to others in ways we never knew possible.

I’ve organized many fitness and Pilates events over the years, and there are always touching stories from the participants afterward. I’ll always remember one woman who joined a challenge at the gym I worked at. She told us that she’d been a member for three years, and would show up, do her workout, and leave – but had never met a soul. She decided to join the challenge and finished it feeling that she now had a whole group of new friends and workout companions. She was so happy that she teared up a little.

I Love Bringing People Together

It’s stories like hers, or of the people who have more energy, are sleeping better, or taking fewer medications, that inspire me to keep doing special events and challenges. I love them and how they make people feel better in so many ways.

I’m going to keep running bootcamps, resets, and challenges. I dream of running retreats and hosting pop-up classes or day-long events. When you bring people together who have common interests it creates the opportunity for connection, and everyone leaves feeling better about themselves. The physical, emotional, and social changes from these events can create forever change… which is truly amazing.