Everything that comes out of my head seems to sound old-fashioned….boomer. I’m not a boomer according to some sites, and just at the tail end (’58) of the boomer crap. And apparently, now it’s Generation Jones. But holy crap (see?) seems like it’s endless and dusty.
But the alternative is sounding like a complete fail trying out any new “lingo” (see?) For most of us, it just sounds ridiculous. So, we’re left at times feeling awkward and ill-fitting. Hence the hermititis at times.
So here we are, flailing about in a brave weird world, but imagine those poor gen x and millennials. They get left with a platter full of problems to solve. Loads of advancement, much of it advancement, done without clear forethought. And they get left to clean it up. But I digress.
So yes I’m a Hermit “because my stuff is here and I don’t like people.” Psychology likes to label hermit behaviour as a mental illness – standard fare from that table. I prefer to consider it a break from the norm of our lives – permission to ourselves to not keep up with the expected stuff… like keeping in touch with friends. I’m not good at that and I admit it fully.
Spiritually, it’s like going to a retreat. Physically, it depends on how many carbs I hermit with. Emotionally, it allows me time to get my shit together. And it doesn’t mean forever. It’s a choice for a bit or a bit longer… or for good. However long one needs it.
Used to be that hermits were hired to live at the bottom of someone’s garden on the wealthier estates in Victorian England. Sounds like a legit means of income to me.
JJ Thompson
LIFE on the HALF SHELL 