Vasquez on 31/3/2012 at 15:02
Before the daily quirks -thread is totally kidnapped, maybe I'll start a new one :)
How do you feel about being alone? Is it something you want and need often/regularly/a lot, or do you feel most comfortable being always surrounded with people? What do you do when you're enjoying solitude?
I've always needed quite a lot of personal space and time, and the trait seems to get stronger with age. I'm not really an introvert - when I feel like company, I'm quite outgoing and social, but I also get quickly tired of people (not in a negative way, just literally tired, I have to rest from it).
The best way to be alone for me is going to the summer house, and during winter time my need for solitude cumulates into an anxious anticipation for the first trip there (this year early in May, I hope!). It helps a lot that nowadays I work at home, but being alone during the day is not the same as being alone for some weeks. When I'm there, I don't even do that much, I just read, write, sauna and swim, and observe nature: birds, insects, fish, mice and moles, everything around me. And I never miss company - I often don't even answer the phone. Sometimes I just sit on the porch for hours and stare out to the lake. It's so serene, complete bliss.
Sg3 on 31/3/2012 at 17:27
Being what psychologists call the "shy extrovert" by nature, I've always had a love-hate relationship with company, as with most things. Lately, I've been preferring to be alone more, but, in the past, this has gone in cycles or waves. Right now, I like to hang out with a friend I.R.L. once a week, and do multiplayer gaming with online buddies every day or two.
demagogue on 31/3/2012 at 17:41
Oh fuck this topic right now. Not what I need to think about :( :(
Haha, sorry it's not your fault just... the idea of absolute solitude... mmrgh
But yes, when life is normal, I like taking hikes by myself, especially when I'm writing an article. I need to just get up and walk around in nature and think the arguments through, and stuff will come to me. If someone else is around that's talky it breaks the spell. But if they're just quietly following along though that can be nice too, but then I can just go into my own little world, not a bad thing... If I'm not working on a project, then other (quiet) people around are nice. I didn't really consciously think about it, but I think my love of solitude is connected to when I want to really think through a project in my mind and build these castles in the sky, not so much that feeling of total emptiness and peace you sometimes get being alone in nature, which is also nice, but those moments I'm probably happier sharing with someone.
In any case I don't like being around crowds, or extroverted people. I like being around one or two really close people and it being a pretty intense relationship. There's not a hard line between academic work and personal life as it is ... It all sort of blends into this whole lifestyle of ideas and projects and politics and personalities and classes and symposiums. Outside of that lifestyle I'd feel kind of lost. I have no ambitions of making gobs of money or throwing big parties. It's more like ideas are life, so I need to be connected to that kind of community.
nickie on 31/3/2012 at 18:01
Well I've already said I love being on my own. But maybe that's partly because I have a choice. My recent life has been so shit that being alone is how I recharge my batteries to enter the fray again. But again, I have bloke in the fore/background (depending on work commitments) so my solitude is from choice and not forced upon me, it makes a difference.
demagogue - I have some really nice pictures of Welsh countryside - sheep, sheep, sheep, and an occasional jet test pilot showing off. That should cheer you up. :)
Shocked_ on 31/3/2012 at 18:23
I'm like that too Vasquez. Not quite extrovert but get along with people I like quite well but like being on my own 85% of the time. The certain premiere I attended Monday I had no trouble befriending a nice couple. We talked about fims and TV and everything else. Now I have two Facebook friends and I dont even have an account! Then again I havent been in contact with my friends for months now. I feel so exhausted with people every day when I come from work that I'm quite happy to spend the evening alone with my dog. This has gotten me in a bit of situatiuon. My two friends got friggin' engaged (with different people) and I wasnt there. Now I'm a bit embarrassed to contact them. I'm not also very big on family events.
Motorcycling is a great hobby for me. Just me and the open road. I can ponder any thought or idea I please. Hell I sometimes sing quite loudly!
demagogue on 31/3/2012 at 18:41
Quote Posted by nickie
demagogue - I have some really nice pictures of Welsh countryside - sheep, sheep, sheep, and an occasional jet test pilot showing off. That should cheer you up. :)
We were going to live near the Welsh border and I LOVE pushing my fingers into sheep wool waaaahhh none of this is helping :( but thanks for trying :)
Al_B on 31/3/2012 at 18:53
Quote Posted by demagogue
I LOVE pushing my fingers into sheep
Careful - only those who are native to Wales are allowed to do that...
nickie on 31/3/2012 at 19:02
Welsh borders is for wusses! And the only reason for touching up those sheep is to decide whether or not a great lamb chop is on the cards or not. :cheeky:
242 on 1/4/2012 at 09:44
Quote Posted by Vasquez
How do you feel about being alone? Is it something you want and need often/regularly/a lot, or do you feel most comfortable being always surrounded with people? What do you do when you're enjoying solitude?
I feel myself uncomfortable being surrounded by other people, and I think it's normal, even extraverts often feel uncomfortable among other people. Never liked big and loudy companies, didn't liked school, but loved 5 years in institute, among other reasons because I got freedom there.
Quote:
I've always needed quite a lot of personal space and time, and the trait seems to get stronger with age. I'm not really an introvert - when I feel like company, I'm quite outgoing and social, but I also get quickly tired of people (not in a negative way, just literally tired, I have to rest from it).
Same here, but I'm introvert.
Neb on 1/4/2012 at 11:42
Quote Posted by Vasquez
I'm not really an introvert - when I feel like company, I'm quite outgoing and social, but I also get quickly tired of people (not in a negative way, just literally tired, I have to rest from it).
That's a pretty standard description of introversion. :p
