3 Easy Ways for Homebodies to Connect With Other People by Whitney Arcson
You have no qualms about identifying as a homebody. Ever since you were a kid, you found staying in preferable to going out. When your college buddies were hitting the town, you were catching up with your favorite shows and enjoying some popcorn back at the dorm. As an adult, you often decline social invitations from your friends and coworkers. Despite the label some people have tried to place on you, you’ve never really considered yourself antisocial; you’re simply happiest in the comfort of your own home. Sure, some people are more understanding about this than others, but at the end of the day, your opinion of yourself is what matters.
However, not being a fan of going out doesn’t mean you want to live in solitude. Bars, nightclubs and group outings aren’t exactly your scene, but you genuinely enjoy spending time with individuals with whom you share common interests. Still, your dislike of going out hasn’t afforded you many chances to meet and connect with these people. Luckily, thanks to modern technology, homebodies and self-identifying introverts can make friends and form romantic connections from the comfort of home. Homebodies interested in expanding their social circles would do well to consider the following options.
Social Media
It’s become impossible to ignore the rise of popular social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and frankly, why would you want to? These sites enable you to effortlessly stay in touch with friends, family members and coworkers – and provide you with ample opportunities to make new friends. Additionally, if there’s a childhood acquaintance, high school chum or college buddy with whom you’ve fallen out of touch, chances are you can instantly reconnect on social media. Thanks to the aforementioned outlets, you can interact with your entire social circle in one convenient location. Whether you want to talk, share pictures or simply see what your loved ones are up to, social media is just what the doctor ordered.
Ham Radio
Although you don’t hear much about it these days, ham radio was, in many respects, the precursor to online chat rooms and social media outlets. With the help of a fully-loaded ham radio console, you’ll be able to connect with ham operators from across the globe. Of course, the exact range you’ll be able to reach is largely dependent upon the quality of your antenna, console and console components. Anyone in the market for top-of-the-line RF couplers or filters is sure to love the quality products from Werlatone. Although ham radio’s popularity has been eclipsed by the Internet, there’s still a fair number of dedicated ham operators scattered throughout the world.
Online Dating
Meeting potential romantic partners can be difficult for introverts. People tend to make love connections with individuals they meet at parties, workplace gatherings and other social events, so cutting yourself off from these shindigs may prove damaging to your love life. Fortunately, prominent matchmaking sites like eHarmony and Match.com have effectively taken the hassle out of dating for introverts. From the comfort of your living room, you’ll be able to peruse – and connect with – prospective partners who meet your personal criteria. Many people find this method of meeting people more efficient than going out and hoping to stumble upon the right person.
Although a number of people view "introvert" as an unsavory term, there’s nothing inherently bad about being a homebody. Being well-adjusted and socially adventurous are far from mutually exclusive. While preferring your own company to that of others used to be a hindrance to meeting new people, modern technology has made essentially made it possible for introverts to have their cake and it, too.
About the Author: Whitney Arcson is an assistant librarian and self-proclaimed introvert who resides with her two dogs in upstate New York. A lifelong ham radio enthusiast, Madeline buys all her directional couplers and RF filters from Werlatone.