Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid

Clive Ngwenya Avatar
Verified by Emotional Intelligence Developer Community-written · Human experiences · Lived insight

Reasons why shy people felt good wearing a face mask in public?

The impact of Covid on introverts was a lukewarm experience. As I quote Charles Dickens on the Covid Pandemic we all lived through. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Why? Because introverts had freedom in a time where wearing a face mask was a prison sentence for extroverts.

Besides the safety aspect no one could see my face. I was able to walk freely, and so seeing a person’s face for the first time after the wearing of face masks was lifted, were epic events. I remember not being able to comprehend the full face of people I had sculptured differently in my mind.

During Covid, for the first time in my life I felt shielded from people judging my facial expressions and mannerisms. Was this a good thing for me to feel good about? At the time I’d say yes. I didn’t have to think about what other people saw when they looked at me. I didn’t have to look away. But being an introvert is not bad. You shouldn’t have to feel like me during Covid.

Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid

Why being an introvert is awesome

It’s great to be quiet, focused, and thoughtful. But being too mentally focused is also wrong. Being too thoughtful without boundaries can affect you. So being an introvert is good, but with understanding. Use the good side of it and discard the harmful side which can lead you to a hermit-like existence living in solitude within yourself.

You can be a good introvert who participates with people, who is productive and driven. It’s not wrong to be quiet. Study your surroundings and know when to speak up if needed. It’s important to live your life by removing the mask and exploring the world. Don’t mind people, do your own thing, and if they look. Let them look because you have all the right to be happy.

Be happy in your own skin. Be happy as you are. Walk tall, mentally and emotionally, because your life is worth it. P.S. I remember a time when I used to give way to people on the road. They’d walk in my direction, and 6 meters away, I’d already shifted. By the time they reach me I’d be close to the road or brushing the wall with my shoulder as they passed. This type of anxiety was not good at all. Because many a time they wouldn’t notice what I was doing. But I’d notice everything.

FYI. You deserve to be on the road. Though please don’t bump into people to prove yourself, but your space matters too. It takes being comfortable in your own skin and you will not notice too many things which are irrelevant. Live your life. Walk tall and be free. Go out. Do your own thing, meaning live your life. Don’t live your life brushing on the wall because you’re focused on other people.

Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid

Do you and be yourself and your life will benefit tremendously from it. I’m glad I do me today. I’ve limited looking outside and I started looking within myself to fix whatever was broken. My life changed 360 degrees. I am totally free and I love it. I do have my bad days but a small percentage of them don’t affect how productive I am today. Rome wasn’t built in a day so take your time to develop your emotional intelligence. It helps and the rewards are unmatched.

Conclusion

  • Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid

Be quick to listen. Slow to speak. And slow to become angry is a good thing to master. Go for your dreams and don’t be shy to pursue them. Do yourself a great service and remove your face mask. You don’t have to wear it anymore.

Author

  • Clive Ngwenya

    Clive Ngwenya is a visionary advocate for holistic well-being, dedicated to empowering individuals to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional health. As the founder of this transformative website, Clive’s mission is to provide accessible resources and support for people on their journey towards improved well-being.

    View all posts

Discover more from Emotional Intelligence Developer

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and others. It helps people communicate better, make thoughtful decisions, and build healthier relationships.

Why is emotional intelligence important for wellbeing?

Emotional intelligence helps people handle stress, manage conflict, and respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. These skills improve resilience and personal wellbeing.

How can I improve emotional intelligence?

You can improve emotional intelligence through self-reflection, learning from emotional experiences, practicing empathy, and developing awareness of how emotions influence behaviour.

Where can I find emotional wellbeing tools?

You can explore exercises, quizzes, and reflection tools on our wellbeing tools page. You can also learn more about emotional intelligence concepts in our Emotional Intelligence Learning Hub.

If this resonated with you, drop a like 👍 and comment — it helps more people find real support.

1 comment on Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid
Calm and soothing picture (Banner) of 3 people sitting on a bench in a forest trail overlooking distant mountains with the website address https://emotionalintelligencedeveloper.com/ on the footer

Your Voice Matters — Join the Conversation

Leave a Reply

One response to “Why introverts have been wearing face masks long before Covid”

Share Your Testimonial and Experience With Our Community

Feeling overwhelmed?

You don't have to figure everything out today.
Start with one small step.

Start Here

Trending Pages:

Authors List


This space is intentionally kept free from pop-up ads to keep your reading experience calm and focused.

Free tools worth about $330 a year are shared here — for anyone who needs them.

No paywalls. No pop-up ads. Just support, reflection, and growth.

If this space has helped you, you're already part of it.

You can help keep it going — by supporting, sharing, or simply being part of this community.

Even reading and sharing helps someone else feel less alone.

Support This Website
📖

New to emotional intelligence? Explore our Emotional Intelligence Glossary to understand key terms and concepts that appear throughout this article.

⭐ Start here · most used tools
Not Sure Where to Start? Try These First

If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure which tool to use, start with one of these. They are simple, helpful, and used by many people to understand their emotions, reflect clearly, and feel more in control.

Support the Mission — Shop Our Merch

Open our Streamlabs merch store to browse and order merchandise

Own your growth — show off your merch and tag #emotionalintelligencedeveloper

Discover more from Emotional Intelligence Developer

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading