32 People Avoidance Tactics That Every Introverted Coworker Can Get Behind

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 15, 2023 7:00 PM EST

When an introvert gets promoted to a managerial position, it's a bittersweet moment. While they'll be taking home a little more money, they're also sacrificing their ability to completely avoid every single coworker at the office. As an introvert, it pays to fly under the radar, but as a manager, you're front and center in the eye-line of every needy employee, every shift-switcher, and every Karen at the front asking for special attention. 

People-ing gets exhausting, folks. 

So if you're an introvert who's found themselves in a leadership role at work, it can be almost impossible to avoid constant chit chat and social demands, but for the introvirtuous online, they've found ways to cope that can recharge any introvert's social battery. Scroll to read more tactics and skills that any employee can foster if they wish to push back against the social advances in the workplace. Just know that if someone asks you to eat lunch with them, you can (and must) say no. 

Lunches are sacred.

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    Posted by u/Perfect-Reindeer-141 2 days ago Introverted Question for Managers How do you cope with the constant people-ing you have to do as a manager?
    via u/Perfect-Reindeer-141
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    I'm pretty good about disconnecting from it all and recharging on the weekends, but weeknights are hard. Some days I come home totally overstimulated, and it takes me hours to get back to normal. I'm often replaying the day's conversations in my mind and working through problems off the clock. Any tips for slowing down, shutting off the "work brain," and recharging on weeknights?
    via u/Perfect-Reindeer-141
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    Huge-Coyote-6586 · 2 days ago I do NOT do lunch with people... over the years they have all just accepted that I disappear for lunch. It helps.
    via u/Huge-Coyote-6586
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    Lokified 1 day ago Same. I shut my office door and crank some tunes. The HR manager reads a book through lunch and breaks and has made it clear that it is her time. I still get invited for drinks and lunch, but I've never once gone. Managing, family life, and college part-time is enough of a balancing act without tossing in casual friendships!
    via u/Lokified
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    kgkuntryluvr 1 day ago This. I park away from everyone else so that I can eat in my car without being seen. They all probably assume that I leave for lunch. 10 Reply Share agentmerrens 21 hr. ago This is the way. I'll even drive a few blocks away and park just so nobody sees me and tries to talk to me.
    via u/kgkuntryluvr
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    jiIIbutt 1 day ago I don't even have time to take lunch most days. I know that's a ridiculous thing to say because I can block off my schedule but it's usually meeting after meeting. 14 Reply Share JellyBiscuit7 1 day ago I can relate. Haven't had a true lunch break, really ever. Restaurant Manager life.
    via u/jiIIbutt
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    dmcldjr 1 day ago I leave for lunch every day. I need 30 minutes alone! 2 Reply Share 420medicineman. 1 day ago I'm also unavailable during lunch. I frequently nap during this time. On days I have to go into the office (I'm hybrid remote), I take my lunch hour in the back of my van while watching stuff on my phone. Still, is REALLY hard. There are days that I'm literally in meetings 7-8 hours/day.
    via u/dmcldjr
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    No-Call-6917 - 2 days ago OMG I feel this post today. I did a lot of peopleing today and if things weren't so crazy right now I would totally be burning a vacation day this week. 43 Reply Share ... Ok_Benefit_514 - 19 hr. ago It's always the weeks we need them that are the hardest to take off.
    via u/No-Call-6917
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    eumenide2000 - 2 days ago Have office hours. Encourage your people to wait and drop in during those times for nonurgent matters rather than be hen pecked all day. Reply Share 23 mellowmarsupial. 1 day ago I cannot stress this one enough.
    via u/eumenide2000
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    skcup 2 days ago That's one reason why I actually decided to go back into office two days a week after being fully remote. You'd think being remote would be better for me as an introvert but I still spend all day talking to people. I have a long commute with a half hour bike ride plus a drive. I use it to decompress and appreciate it a lot especially since I don't have to do it every day.
    via u/skcup
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    pixiesprite2 1 day ago I quit. I just handed in my "please demote me, I can't take people anymore" notice to my boss. She took it well, said she understood. I'll hold my position until she finds someone to replace me, I'm expecting 6/8 weeks. I am so excited to just have my life back.
    via u/pixiesprite2
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    thelearningjourney 1 day ago 1. Dedicate time for working and questions. You don't want constant questions throughout the day. 2. Don't be afraid to book working time by yourself. 3. Empower people to solve problems and only come to you for a decision or if they face a barrier
    via u/thelearningjourney
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    4. Create leads, to act as a filter between you and every single person asking for tactical help. This also trains potential new managers. 5. Accept that through the week you won't be able to turnoff after work exhaustion and thinking. It's just part of who you are. But take steps to reduce the number of unnecessary interactions
    via u/thelearningjourney
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    erikleorgav2 2 days ago I dive into something else. I play a lot of Anno 1800 PC. It's an economic simulation/strategy/city builder. And now, I have a space I can do woodworking that I can maintain a consistent temperature. So, I lose myself in jointing, sanding, cutting, and layout.
    via u/erikleorgav2
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    inot72 2 days ago It helps me to work offline a couple of hours a day. I close my email, put Zoom on DND and mute my phone. I WFH so it's easier for me to disconnect vs being in the workplace. If it's been a rough day and I'm feeling overstimulated, after work I don't turn on the tv or music and again mute my phone. Sometimes I only need 10-15 minutes of quiet. Other times I may need a good 30-45 minutes.
    via u/inot72
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    porcelainvacation. 2 days ago I set aside focus time in my schedule and go off site for lunch. If its a long Teams call I'll transfer it to my phone, don headphones, and take my dog to the park down the street from my house. It is unhealthy to be glued to your desk. If I am working from home, sometimes I will take a decompression walk before dinner so I don't have a bad attitude with my family.
    via u/porcelainvacation
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    (55 (7) ColdCobra66 2 days ago I totally get you. It can be very draining. Working remote a day (or even a half day) can really help, if your job affords you that luxury. 45+ Reply Share Perfect-Reindeer-141 OP 1 day ago I need to look into that. I think my supervisor would be on board with it, but I'm new-ish, so I haven't felt I can ask yet.
    via u/ColdCobra66
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    Mr-_-Steve 2 days ago Learning to switch off is not a skill or ability easily learned. After years of being a supervisor/ manager I've gotten really good at switching off second I lock the doors at work. No point in worrying about the days events or playing conversations over in your head as by the time you've come to a solution its sometimes too late or circumstances have changed. Before then the long drive home from work used to be my time to reset.
    via u/Mr-_-Steve
  • 20
    SapphireSigma - 2 days ago I make lists. Usually I sit in my car for 10 minutes before driving home. I'll make a list of all those thoughts and things I want to follow up on later. And I sit in silence for a little while to decompress.
    via u/SaphireSigma
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    Starry Night616. 1 day ago I actually realized I didn't enjoy being a manager because of this. Decided to pivot to the principal IC track (10 years of working experience). Almost the same pay with less interactions/responsibilities. There's a peace that comes with only worrying about yourself.
    via u/StarryNight616
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    waverunnersvho - 2 days ago Or. Turn all the lights off. Go into the closet and close the door. Cry until you're ready to go.
    via u/waverunnersvho
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    JediFed 2 days ago I grab a book and read. That seems to do the trick. I also will sit in my bathtub and keep the lights off.
    via u/JediFed
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    Embarrassed_Tax_6547 1 day ago I'm the same way, I usually watch something that doesn't produce stress so I can turn my brain off. Like Hallmark movies or binging a show I already know. 431 Reply Share Perfect-Reindeer-141 OP. 23 hr. ago I do that a lot with shows I've seen over and over again.
    via u/Embarassed_Tax_6547
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    Unlucky_Unit_6126. 1 day ago Book a recurring meeting at a rotating conference room for 30min. Use it to catch up on paperwork or whatever. I used to block out 2 hr deep work sessions so other people couldn't book me to random stuff. Trick is, don't be at your desk. They will find you.
    via u/Unlucky_Unit_6126
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    Sadgalchi 1 day ago . Easy. I quit being a manager 45+ Reply Share Perfect-Reindeer-141 OP 1 day ago Lol. Someday I will, but right now it's a great opportunity.
    via u/Sadgalchi
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    alwaystikitime 2 days ago I have at least a half hour to an hour after my team leaves before I do so I use that time in the quiet to work on busy work that doesn't involve anyone else. It helps to reset my brain. I also use an essential oil at night before I sleep. A Peace & Calming blend rubbed on the bottom of my feet & it might be placebo but I swear it relaxes me immediately.
    via u/alwaystikitime
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    chef_in_va 1 day ago I've been meditating, almost daily, since college. It has helped me to control my thoughts so I can turn my brain off easier. I suggest it to friends and family, when they're having a rough time. Worst case scenario, you have 10-20 minutes of quiet time.
    via u/chef_in_va
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    Safety Man35 1 day ago I usually eat alone which helps me to decompress in the middle of the day. If it is a highly stressful day I'll get up and take a walk or if working remotely I'll put myself in do not disturb.
    via u/SafetyMan35
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    Just4ThaFuqOfIt 2 days ago I have no tips. I'm usually disassociated throughout my entire shift. Once I'm home I don't want to talk to anyone.
    via u/Just4ThaFuqOfIt
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    LLCoolBeans_Esq. 1 day ago What worked for me was switching to an employer that allowed fully wfh.
    via u/LLCoolBeans_Esq
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    Affectionate Ad631 1 day ago . I typically work out mid-afternoon at the office (we have a small gym) or once I get home from work. Helps to decompress. I'll setup my iPad, and just watch or listen to something that keeps the world out of my head for an hour.
    via u/AffectionateAd631
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    . Flying Dutch Lady 1 day ago I work from home. It is such a game changer. I can lay down, pet a cat, or even take a shower when I need a people break.
    via u/FlyingDutchLady

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