What's good about social isolation???

I am at present a severely socially isolated person. I view it as a big negative. However, today I read an article saying that there are some things positive about social isolation. This kind of shook me up because I never see it in a positive light. But I decided to give it a go. Here are some things that I think might be positive...about being socially isolated:


1) I stopped abusing all substances (except maybe food which I am working on) and am now a clean living non drinking non smoking vegetarian. I think living alone made this easier.
2) Working on a book proposal. I've started books before but always got distracted. I actually think now I might have a chance to finish this one.
3) Sound sleep.

4) Inner quiet.
5) Got rid of toxic people, toxic family, toxic bosses, toxic jobs.
6) Possibly moving from just surviving to thriving. Have the space to figure out what it will take.

I still don't like being this isolated...but maybe accepting the dark and light of it...will move me out of it more quickly. Nothing is forever. Except, well, forever. So yeah, from now on am going to use my socially isolated life as a laboratory in which to create a new and different future.

My only comment is that any extremes in either direction on a permanent basis is unhealthy. Being able to know when being social is ok & when some isolation is necessary is a sign of wisdom.

I have times when I go out & be social & I have times when I just need to isolate & get things done for ME & my critter family & recharge my own battery.

Life is all about knowing how to balance everything. Both are necessary in life, not one or the other. Wisdom is knowing when

I didn't choose this lifestyle. I would never voluntarily choose it. I have lived alone three times in my life. The first two I was able to move on from rather quickly, but this time has been a trial. All three times were due to circumstances. I don't find all the negatives about social isolation on the Internet helpful...I am just trying to focus on the silver lining. This isn't my preference and I do intend to move onto something else I just don't know what yet.

I live in a town where many people feel isolated both young and old. So ultimately I think it is the area I need to move from but that will require resources I don't have at the moment. I am a coastal person and living landlocked gives me a weird closed in isolated feeling so I think it is geographic as well.

I was socially isolated for about 2 years due to poor mental health. During that time I learned a lot about myself and experimented with art.

Being alone forced me rely on myself. It also allowed me to be real with myself, probably because there was no one around to judge me. I could be me. It was liberating. As I got better and slowly re-entered the world, I realized, I could be myself.

Okay, so I would like to copy this comment you made into my journal and I hope that is okay...I won't include your name and anyway I am the only one to see it. Because what you said here is exactly what I wish. It is like a blueprint I want to make my own. Yes, I will admit that severe depression (which seemed to be treatment resistant) was a factor in my isolated state. There were also multiple other factors that contributed. Thank you for giving me the hope that I might benefit from this situation...and as well...move on from it.

Quote:

I have lived alone three times in my life.

I have lived alone for the last 13 years. I love it because I can be social when I want to & I have my home/farm & my quiet time to enjoy also. For me it is the best of both worlds & gives ME the choice to do what I want when I want to.

Living alone is not the same as social isolation. The way you describe your life is sounds obvious you are not socially isolated or socially disconnected. I am sorry but I don't feel equipped to explain it in full but there is plenty information on the internet. You came into money and were able to buy your dream home in a place you chose. You had the resources to move across the country. Social isolation is more about lack of resources that creates depression and isolation. I am in a place I moved to because of spouse's job. He divorced me, remarried, and moved away, and I stayed to raise our child to adulthood and due to lack of resources got stuck here. This is not a place I would have ever moved to on my own.

I did note living alone as contributing to my social isolation. If I had the resources I would move to be near my adult child, his family, and my extended family. Because I don't own a home I may choose a housemates situation with residents of different ages. My single brother has lived that way his entire adult life and he loves it. He has lived with all ages and genders. We came from a very large Italian Irish family so a full house is comfortable for us.

If I won the lottery I would consider the purchase of a vintage townhouse in a large colonial city on the East Coast. I would spend my days in museums, libraries, at the theater, and in cute cafes. I would live near a park. Weekends I would take a train to the country and seaside. My perfect life. No pets. But yes to a cottage garden.

To me, there is a vast difference between social isolation and solitude.

If life was overwhelming for an individual then there would be positive aspects in being isolated for a time. We all need space. And we all need to interact with others because we are wired to connect with others.

When a person is severely isolated then that can/will impact on your mental health. Thoughts can build up inside our minds and send us into a tail spin. It is hard to be stuck inside oneself. I dont like it when I get stuck inside my head when I may not see anyone for days on end.

Finding the balance of interaction and quiet time is one of the keys to wellness.

Well, I would say ill health mentally is a matter of not having balance. I am sure if I had a balance in my life I wouldn't be posting on PC.

Yes, that's true. I guess I would say I am a solitary soul as my hobbies and interests have always been things I do on my own...writing, photography, darkroom work, reading, gardening etc. And when I am involved with an activity I enjoy I am experiencing solitude which is very peaceful. Social isolation points to a lack of balance and not having the option of enough social outlets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DechanDawa Okay, so I would like to copy this comment you made into my journal and I hope that is okay...I won't include your name and anyway I am the only one to see it. Because what you said here is exactly what I wish. It is like a blueprint I want to make my own. Yes, I will admit that severe depression (which seemed to be treatment resistant) was a factor in my isolated state. There were also multiple other factors that contributed. Thank you for giving me the hope that I might benefit from this situation...and as well...move on from it.

I'm okay with you quoting me in your journal.

I feel like I'm in that position myself. I may be, what is considered to be, chronically lonely. It seems like at least 90% of my life has been lonely. There were times when I didn't have a single friend. I had family, but they were not much support.

As of now I only have one friend and my sister to be in contact with. Yes, that's probably better than nothing, but the two of them are not of good quality. My friend is very old and has limits. Plus he can be very critical and makes me feel bad after talking to him. My sister lives far away and is very busy. If I lived close to her and with her family, I wouldn't feel any better.

I guess that the benefits I have at social isolation are a few things:

• I have my exercise regimen that goes undistracted. It makes it easier for me to be healthy.
• I save money. It would be costing a lot to be going out for things and eating out. Plus it seems healthier to prepare my own meals than at restaurants.
• I'm able to keep my place need and clean. It would be difficult for me to be able to do it if I had so much going on.
• I don't feel rushed to have to make it for something on time.
• I may be avoiding tragedies from others and drama. Though I'm missing out on good times with others also.
• Probably other things I can't think of now.

Being in social isolation sucks at times. I feel it a lot on the weekends; especially by late afternoon Saturday and all day Sunday. I don't feel it as much on the weekdays because of working. The people I work with are mostly nice and that helps. But they are not my friends and I never hang out with them.

Since I’m an introvert I don’t being alone and can focus on reading, researching on the internet, watching movies, cooking new recipes, walking my dog, and now studying for registration test. Do like to have a few close friends and would love to have a boyfriend who gives me space.

I'm about halfway between an introvert and extrovert. I have to get out every day and be around people, but then I like living alone and coming home to just my cat.

The doctor once told me its not a good place to live in so he never put me in as a IP in hospital ward.Expect Im living in as a IN P at the moment