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I'm mixed on this one. I certainly don't ever want to live anyone, except for perhaps my daughter. I do really love my own space and my own time. I don't care for most people, but at the same time I do like being around people from time to time and I do love my casual relationships with women. Hard to say. I'm torn.
I can handle a reclusive life better than most but I don't want to be a total recluse. I've got 2 people living with me right now so even when they are off doing their own thing there is usually some bit of daily contact. I work a customer service type job so I have to be "on" and I'm very good at it, but I need more downtime than most and have turned down social situations for no reason except that I don't want to make conversation. I'm probably, right now, 60/40 reclusive/social but most of the social consists of work and family.
Sometimes I have an overactive imagination. Frequently when I fly cross-country and look out the window I see all this vast, uninhabited space and I imagine living in a small house or cabin in the middle of it--becoming a recluse.
The open fields of the Midwest don't really appeal to me as it doesn't seem isolated enough. That's probably because I'm a lifelong Midwesterner. Mountains also don't have a lot of appeal for some reason.
After a drive from Phoenix to Las Vegas last year I imagine some little place out in the desert or high desert to truly be alone for awhile. I think the desert appeals to me because it's very different than the green forests and corn fields I grew up near.
It's all just a mental story though. I could never disappear for a long time. I love my husband, children and family too much. Maybe a few months.
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I don't get out and socialize much, or even go out much at all. I've been to the art museum, certain restaurants, a few concerts, vacations to "fun" spots since I got out of college a generation ago. Now that I've been to them, I can say "Oh well", and have not burning desire to go back. I'd rather read a book and surf the web than hang around the vast majority of people. I mean, I tried to be interested in them and even feigned enjoying myself when I'm out, but it doesn't work for me.
I hate to say it, but this is because ninety percent of the people in the world absolutely bore me. And I'm OK with that because I can find my own ways to entertain myself better than the vast majority of people - reading about astronomy, history, politics, debating issues online. The fact that I found only a tiny few places online with people I find interesting only reinforces this belief. Beyond C-D, there's an astronomy board, Paltalk and in earlier times Yahoo! Chat.
Don't get the wrong idea. I don't detest or fear going out. It's just that I think it's overrated. Sure, I can feign interest for the sake of smooth social interaction, and when I feel like it I can do it pretty well. It's just that ultimately I'm my own favorite company.
I don't like people at all, but if recluse means living alone in a little cabin somewhere, no way. Too lonely and I will go insane from listening to my own thoughts.
I like to see other people around me, but I hate crowds and don't like talking to people or forming relationships with them.
I could do this, I think. But I would be lonely. I present as extroverted, but actually have a strong solitary streak and enjoy not being with people all the time.
But if I had to be completely solitary, I think I'd be lonely much of the time.
And once you've lived as a recluse for awhile, it would be really, really hard to reenter any sort of social life. I don't think I want this for myself, and I devoutly hope my life doesn't come to that.
I am shocked by how many names I recognize on this thread as people who post on the City-Data a lot. Perhaps many of you get your minimal socialization needs met by being on the Forum. Interesting...
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