2020 AFFECTED US DIFFERENTLY ACCORDING TO PERSONALITY TYPE
PEOPLE were affected very differently by a year unlike any other in 2020, depending on their personality type, Dhara Shah believes.
Extroverted people who have busy social lives have found the isolation of lockdown gave them more time to reflect, while introverted people who have quieter social lives have had families and friends turn to them more for support, which has made their lives more hectic.
She said: “Broadly speaking, the clients of mine with fast-paced lives – with work and going out with friends and socialising – for them to then go into isolation, they suddenly noticed their internal dialogue more.
“They will tell me they’ve noticed all these thoughts that they haven’t had before, and asking me what is going on in their head.”
At the other end of the spectrum, Dhara said introverted people have had completely different issues to deal with during lockdown.
“Those who are introverted and are used to being on their own, and are used to a quieter space, are dealing with family and friends coming into their space a lot more,” she said.
“Suddenly, things have become more hectic for them.”
Dhara stressed that although this is a general theme among her clients, the stress of last year has shown up differently depending on client’s lifestyle.
“The phrase I would use is ‘overnight change’,” said Dhara, who started her business, Ripple Touch, in 2019.
“The reason I would say ‘overnight change’ is that before the pandemic, people’s awareness of what was going on with themselves generally would be noticed over a period of time.
When the pandemic hit in March, overnight, everyone’s normal was completely disrupted almost overnight.”
Dhara said one of the reasons there was such a sudden change was not knowing what the future held.
“Normally, you can plan things in advance and prepare yourself but there was so much change to contend with, not just in yourself, but with everyone around you,” she said.
“With my clients, the volume of change was overwhelming and knowing where to start was difficult.”
Dhara said in her job she helps her clients work through any issues, with themselves or family or work or anything else, in order and then generally “things fall into place”.
“It is important the priority is with the support from the coach,” she added.
“Some people like to take things in stages, while others can take on more than one thing at a time. The client’s circumstance will affect that.
“It’s all about getting that balance.”
For Dhara, last year brought a lot of business but she had to alter her working practices.
“I only started my business in November 2019, so I have noticed that, perhaps unfortunately, there has been a demand for this type of work,” she said.
“But, from a purely business perspective, this year has been good for me.”
Dhara has been conducting many of her life coaching sessions virtually, but has altered where she works depending on the restrictions, tiers and lockdowns.
“When I can, I have seen clients at Bradgate Park and taken a walk with them,” she said.
“Something I have found quite interesting is that talking and walking helps you think and process.
“It has been quite empowering. “The virtual sessions have not negatively impacted the work at all and my clients are happy to be flexible.
“If this pandemic has taught us one thing, it has taught us to be agile and flexible with our lives.”