Welcome to the latest edition of The Reset Room, where you will receive tips, strategies and insights about all things mental health with a focus on ways to do a reset on some of the things in your life that may be leading to distress.

Today's Topic:

Your Social Energy Style for the Holidays — and How It Shows Up

Picture this…

You walk into a holiday gathering and instantly slip into a familiar rhythm. Maybe you feel a little like Batman, observing quietly from the edge of the room while you get your bearings. Or maybe you’re more like Donkey from Shrek, talking to three people before your coat is even off. Or perhaps you find yourself somewhere in the middle—like Moana—warm, open, ready to connect… but also needing to step back when the energy around you spikes a little too high.

The truth is:

Your nervous system has a personality.
Your social battery has preferences.
And none of it means you’re doing the holidays “wrong.”

✨They’re simply reflections of how your nervous system likes to navigate social spaces, especially during high-energy seasons like the holidays.

Some people feel energized by the noise, movement, and constant conversation.
Some feel drained—even when they’re happy to be there.
And others shift between the two depending on the crowd, the moment, or even the hour.

Understanding your natural social energy—whether you’re the quiet type, the life of the party, or a balance of both—can help you move through holiday gatherings with more ease, self-awareness, and compassion (for yourself and the people around you).

Let’s explore what this looks like.

🧠 Introvert, Extrovert, Ambivert (Atrovert): What They Mean

🌿 Introverts​
Recharge through quiet, reflection, and low-stimulation environments. Social events are meaningful, but they can be draining.

🔥 Extroverts​
Recharge through people, conversation, and shared energy. Social events are invigorating.

⚖️ Ambiverts / Atroverts​
They feel both—energized by some interactions and depleted by others. Their social energy shifts depending on context.

🎄 Holiday Wisdom for Each Type

🌿 For Introverts

• Plan downtime before and after gatherings.
• Choose deeper one-to-one moments instead of trying to engage everyone.
• Give yourself permission to step away.
• Self-soothing reminder: “I can show up without matching everyone else’s pace.”

🔥 For Extroverts

• Pace yourself—don’t overschedule.
• Tune in and recognize quieter guests who might need space.
• Let silence exist without filling it.
• Reminder: “Connection doesn’t require constant motion.”

⚖️ For Ambiverts / Atroverts

• Expect energy shifts—they’re normal.
• Prepare an “engage plan” and a “step-back plan.”
• Give yourself permission to pivot.
• Reminder: “My energy gets to change, and I can honor it.”

**Skip to bottom for final holiday insights and resets**

💛 Coparenting Through the Lens of Personality

Holiday schedules, travel plans, family traditions, and unexpected changes all increase communication between coparents.

Your social-energy type influences HOW you communicate, and your coparent’s style influences how THEY interpret your communication.

Understanding both reduces tension and prevents unnecessary conflict.

🌿 If YOU Are an Introverted Coparent

You likely prefer:

• Calm, structured communication
• Predictable plans
• Time to process before responding

If your coparent is an extrovert, they may seem:​
“Too much,” overly talkative, or demanding quick answers.

How to bridge the gap:

• Say when you’ll respond (“I’ll text back tonight.”)
• Use written communication when possible.
• Give brief updates so silence isn’t misinterpreted.

🔥 If YOU Are an Extroverted Coparent

You likely prefer:

• Real-time conversation
• Expressive communication
• Flexibility

If your coparent is an introvert, they may seem:​
Slow to reply, distant, overwhelmed, or withdrawn.

How to bridge the gap:

• Send the main point first, then wait.
• Avoid multiple follow-up messages.
• Give processing time without assuming conflict.

⚖️ If YOU Are an Ambivert / Atrovert Coparent

You may:

• Be social at some times and withdrawn at others
• Shift communication styles depending on stress
• Appear inconsistent to others

If your coparent is more extreme (very introverted or extroverted), they may see you as:​
Hard to predict, “hot and cold,” or inconsistent.

How to bridge the gap:

• Name your shifts (“Busy at the moment—will reply later.”)
• Create one predictable communication routine.
• Honor your energy without disappearing.

🎁 A Simple Holiday Insight

Personality differences don’t equal incompatibility.
They simply mean two nervous systems respond differently to stress and communication.

Seeing your style—and recognizing others' styles—through this lens reduces tension, builds empathy, and helps gatherings feel more enjoyable for all.

🧘‍♀️ A Short Holiday Reset

Pause.
Breathe.
I can honor my energy and still show up with clarity.
I can communicate gently, even during busy seasons and even with people who communicate differently.
My presence—steady, calm, and self-aware—is enough. ✨