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What no-one will tell you about your need for recovery time.

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Hey Reader,

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I saw a post this week that stopped me scrolling.

Dan Meredith, a successful entrepreneur - someone who regularly speaks on stages - wrote a Facebook post last weekend saying: "I love speaking but it always spanks me after... today my agenda is to become one with the sofa/bed...to regain brain function."

Here's someone living their purpose, doing work they love, achieving at the highest level - and publicly dealing with the introvert hangover.

He's not fighting it. He's not telling himself he should bounce back faster, or comparing himself to extroverted speakers who seem to thrive immediately after.

He plans for it.

He honours it.

He's designed his life around this reality rather than despite it; this is also how I've managed my love of working a room (whether speaking or facilitating) with my need to recover afterwards.

Most introverts I've worked with haven't made this shift yet.

Unbound Shift

You've been told there's something wrong with you because social interactions, presentations, or even important conversations leave you needing significant recovery time.

You've probably tried to 'fix' this about yourself - pushed through the exhaustion, scheduled back-to-back meetings anyway, or felt guilty about needing downtime.

But what if the hangover isn't the problem?

What if fighting your wiring is?

The introvert hangover™ is your nervous system's way of processing intense stimulation. It's not a character flaw - it's neurological reality.

Meredith gets this: he doesn't waste energy feeling bad about needing recovery time; he strategically plans for it.

The real problem happens when you're navigating major life transitions - career changes, relationship shifts, big decisions - whilst constantly depleting yourself. You end up making crucial choices from a state of overwhelm rather than clarity.

Every transition requires energy.

If you're spending yours fighting how you're wired, you've got nothing left for the actual change you're trying to make.

Unbound Step

This week, audit your last month for introvert hangovers.

When did they happen? What triggered them? How long did they last?

Now ask yourself: instead of trying to avoid or minimise these hangovers, what if you planned for them?

Meredith doesn't try to eliminate his post-speaking exhaustion - he designs his schedule around it. He protects the recovery time he knows he'll need.

If you're in the middle of a major transition right now, this strategic energy management isn't just helpful - it's essential.

You can't design your next chapter whilst running on empty.

If you're navigating a significant change or transition and keep finding yourself making decisions from a state of overwhelm rather than clarity, I'm running a limited number of beta Breakthrough Strategy calls at £97, so that I can collate social proof.

Together, we'll identify one clear next step you can action immediately, plus create a roadmap that works with your introvert wiring rather than against it.

These calls are specifically for introverts who want to move through change with clarity and energy, not exhaustion.

If this resonates and you're ready to stop fighting your wiring and start working with it:

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In your corner always,

Sam 💛

Sam Sheppard Introvert Life Transition Strategist I share practical tools to help you design a life that actually fits. ​

Let's connect! 👋🏻 You can find me on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Threads. Catch up with past editions on my website.
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