04.26.2018
[outfit_details] I’ve always been a huge fan of personality tests, and I know I’m not alone here. If you’ve never taken a personality test before stop what you are doing and take this test real quick. The first time I […]
[outfit_details]
I’ve always been a huge fan of personality tests, and I know I’m not alone here. If you’ve never taken a personality test before stop what you are doing and take this test real quick. The first time I ever took a personality test was for one of my management classes in business school and to say it’s enlightening is an understatement. I’ve actually had the same personality type since I took the test way back in 2012, and each time I reread my personality description it’s like hitting the nail on the head. Now whether you love personality tests like me, or hate them like Matt, it’s good to know what makes you jive and what burns you out. Which brings me to basically the nutshell of this post, how this INFJ maneuvered a week-long group vacation.
If I’m being honest with you all I have always hated group activities. I mean, going to camp as a kid was a hard pass for me, in college, I attended the bare minimum of group activities required of me and I even avoided group sports, which is why I loved the swim team. I love being around people but I don’t necessarily ever want to be the center of attention or have to compete for a group’s attention. I mean it’s just not me. I hate the craziness of groups and I really value quality time with people over quantity. And if I’m being transparent I just don’t think I get that quality time I need with people in a big group. I guess to sum it up my best friend in the entire world lives in San Francisco and even though I basically see her maybe once a year, she’s still my best friend because we always make room in our schedules for that quality time. We’ll call each other to just catch up and just have that present one-on-one time. I mean Jennifer sometimes knows more about the happenings in my life than anyone else because we both jive off of authenticity and present moments, not late night drinking confessions.
Okay before I get down and dirty with how I survived a group vacation, ‘champagne problems’ I know, but let’s chat about this outfit. The weekend before heading to Costa Rica I ran into J.Crew to return a bathing suit that didn’t fit and ended up leaving the store with wayyyy to much stuff. But what’s new! When I walked into J.Crew I instantly fell in love with this retro pink jumpsuit, effortlessly styled on the mannequin and had to try it on. Matt has the most brutal fashion advice/criticism and I was shocked when I walked out of the fitting room and he LOVED the look. With Matt’s surprising approval and finally fitting into a jumpsuit that wasn’t too long for my 5′ 3″ body, I purchased the jumpsuit and paired it with these cat-eyed sunglasses and nautical ball earrings. It was probably my favorite look of all vacation and I think you can tell that by the energy of these photos.
Okay now back to this group-vacation breakdown. Now, when I first found out that my dad decided to do a large group vacation I was raising the veto flag and waving it hard. For the longest time, I thought I avoided big groups because of social anxiety but really I avoid them because they just burn me the heck out. I jive off of getting to really know people one on one, hearing their thoughts, what they stand for and my favorite talking topic their life plans. I mean I love a strategic future more than anyone you’ve ever met. But my dad was pretty set on having a huge group vacation, so I used a few of the following tricks to keep my energy levels up and my attitude positive.
+ Have An Alone Day: I always say I’m an introverted extrovert. I always seem to be thrown into a decision-making position in the group, whether it is picking a restaurant, making the plans for an excursion or even something as simple as booking the hotel or checking people into airline flights. Somehow someway, I always end up with the power to make the decision, maybe that’s because by nature I’m a decisive person, but nothing drains me out more than having to make decisions for a large group of people who don’t want to make a decision.
So halfway through the vacation, my sister Tessa and I decided to part from the group and have an alone day, and to be honest, it was probably one of my favorite days of the vacation. Having quality time with Tessa one on one, having space and clarity to create amazing video content and recharge my battery, was exactly what I needed to finish off the vacation strong. I did the same thing in Italy when I went with Jennifer for three weeks. While in Italy I passed on one of the excursions and took my laptop to a local cafe to sip on cappuccinos and watch the Lizzie McGuire movie ALONE. Maybe that’s weird but it was exactly what I needed to feel re-inspired.
+ Do What Makes You Jive: I honestly work seven days a week from the moment I open my eyes to the moment I rest my head on my pillow and I LOVE IT! I mean I love every part of the process, from shooting the content to writing the content to actually getting to share it all with you all, I LOVE IT. I’m the happiest when I’m working, and for the first three days of vacation, I tried to ‘take a vacation’ from my job which was a rookie mistake.
I did all the correct steps, I put my Out Of The Office reply message on all my contact forms and decided I’d check out for the full week…which ended quickly. By the third day of vacation I felt completely burnt out, I was literally over vacation and craving work. Weird? Maybe, but ruining The Coastal Confidence is what gives me energy so I quickly ended up diving back into work.
Of course, I wanted to fit in with the group and go out late for late night bar shenanigans but I just can’t do that on the daily. For people like Matt and my dad, who are strong extroverts, bar shenanigans are life to them but for me being at a bar is draining, I’d much rather be outside on the patio responding to your DMs or calling photos from that days shoot. Doing what makes you jive doesn’t mean your anti-social it means you’re putting yourself first.
+ Try And Carve Out Alone Time With Individuals on The Trip: Again this one was essential for me to survive a week-long group vacation. Whenever I’m in a group bigger than six I just check out, I don’t even do it on purpose it’s just my personality. So I used moments like car rides, walks, or late night snacking sessions with whoever was in the kitchen, to get that quality time I really wanted.
I mean did I get a chance to get to know everyone on vacation, no. In fact, I think I saw Matt like once the whole vacation, and that was for a photoshoot, BUT I did get to spend some quality time with people I rarely get to see. If you’re an introvert heading on a big group vacation maybe try to plan lunch dates or breakfast runs with the people you really want to get to know, hopefully, that tactic will give you the quality time you need.
Okay, that’s all the tips I have for introverts heading on a group vacation. In the end, I had a blast on vacation. Now, would I do another large group vacation over 10 people again, of course. The trip was so much fun and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way, but I’m curious what personality are you?
Leave a comment below with your personality type or if you don’t want to take the test your horoscope sign below. I’m a Gemini which basically sums up my introverted extrovert personality, to the tee.
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Such a beautiful jumpsuit in the current perfect color! Pictures are great with all the vegetation as background!
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