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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
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Was it deliberate/intentional/planned?
If not why did you choose to do it?
How did it affect you psychologically?
I'm more thinking of people who deliberately 'escape' from society for a time, but also those who haven't, who just don't to be away from people for longer periods by choice/or circumstances.
These days, I can go an entire day without talking to anyone or only saying a few words, even if I live at home, and in a way I'm basically a hermit. BUT not really because I talk to people online. I think if I didn't have that I'd be much lonelier. The longest I've gone without seeing anyone at all is probably 48 hours or so when I lived alone. That's probably the longest I've gone without talking to anyone. Even after that time I start to talk to myself and stuff, and think a lot.
I think I'd like to escape for at least a month to see how it would affect me. Maybe go to some remote mountain-top...I think if I just locked myself in my room for a month I'd go crazy, I'd need to be outdoors in nature.
The longest I have gone was a month. Yes, it was intentional and it was before computers. I was single and lived alone and had no phone either. Psychologically I don't think it affected me much, it was a nice respite. I didn't work, didn't have a phone, no computers at that time, and spoke to no one. The only thing is when you begin to talk again to people it feels strange after it being so quiet for so long.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by brokencrayola
The longest I have gone was a month. Yes, it was intentional and it was before computers. I was single and lived alone and had no phone either. Psychologically I don't think it affected me much, it was a nice respite. I didn't work, didn't have a phone, no computers at that time, and spoke to no one. The only thing is when you begin to talk again to people it feels strange after it being so quiet for so long.
Were you not working at the time/did you take time off work? Did you just want a break or was it for some spiritual reason?
I assume you still went out and bought groceries and stuff?
Even though I'm an only child and prefer a solitary life, I have always had family and friends around. When I got older I'd talk to people online on message boards (like this one) and meet up with a few of them.
Now that I'm married and work full-time a day doesn't go by where I don't see my wife or co-workers. In fact, my wife and I have only been a part for about a week or so in the 8 years I've known her.
Sometimes I want to be left alone, and can get into a funk if I don't go out. Meaning I'd be in a perpetual state of wanting to stay home. But when I go out and do things I feel a lot better.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,054,732 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by brokencrayola
I was not working. I went out at night and got my mail and food shopped once a week. I also lived in a town with a population of around 2000.
I used to live in a town with about 2000, alone. It got really lonely some weekends, so I tried to go out driving, just going on walks in the bush by myself, or meeting folk around the place.
For face to face contact, 5 days. I got a bad stomach bug and then the Christmas blizzard of 2010 (I think that was the year) hit and I got snowed in. But I was still on the phone, emailing and keeping in touch via Face Book. I understand why Tom Hanks put a face on the volleyball and named it Wilson. That's what I would have done if not for technology. I live alone, so I'm ok with stretches of solitude. But 5 days straight and not by choice was a little overwhelming.
The worst time in my life was when i ended high school and couldn*t find any decent job.
All my friends went to college and found them selves new friends and i stud at home struggling with myself not to be boring and call them all the time..
After few months they created totally new lives without me in it..
In a way i was forced to live in isolation for about 5 years.
I would sometimes hang out with people from work (in periods when i was employed) but most of the time i was totally alone.
My family was dysfunctional,i was traumatized,and as a grown person i was embarrassed cuz of that.
I never had any closer friends then those few from high school.
Five years after graduation i got into serious relationship and move to another town.
In a way,isolation was postponed for next 7 years when my ex husband suddenly conclude that he is still feeling very young and he wants to enjoy life in every possible way as a single man,without any kind of wife to stopping him from doing so..
In a way,the past is repeating,i am isolated and unemployed again,but i dont find it so difficult and painful to handle as i did when i was younger..
There are days when i exchange only one or two sentences with my family members and a funniest thing is i dont feel sad or as i*m missing anything at all
Last edited by Jarofmarmelade; 02-07-2013 at 09:48 AM..
I moved to an apartment downtown but i cant wait to move out.. #1 reason - too isolated. When i come home, I am alone (my choice and its ok); however, when I am falling asleep I realize, hey I have been home and have not said one word tonight.. kinda strange feeling that is; I am pretty quiet at work and so i really hardly talk at all some days..
the above issues I think contributed to my feeling down. i am moving to a vibrant neighborhood in the city, that whenever I visit, it is so alive, that it really affects me. So i think being alone is no good for long. It affects a person mentally. sometimes when there are too many people you might think - man i cant wait till i get home to be alone for some peace and quiet, but then too much solitude feels like i''m living in a black hole where things go to die off. for one thing, my energy has died off, I think the environment I am in affects my energy level.
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