Okay, so today I decided to dive deep into this whole “hermit” thing, not as a concept, but as a real, live-able person. Like, could I actually be a hermit, even for a little bit? Here’s how it went down.
Step 1: Finding My Cave (Metaphorically Speaking)
First, I needed a space. I don’t have an actual cave, sadly. My apartment would have to do. I picked my spare bedroom – it’s small, kinda out of the way, and has a decent window. I cleared out most of the furniture, leaving just a comfy chair, a small table, and a sleeping bag. Stripped it down to the bare essentials, you know?
Step 2: Disconnecting (The Hard Part)
This was the real kicker. I powered down my phone. Like, actually turned it off. No sneaky peeks. I also shut down my laptop and stashed it away in the closet. It felt…weird. Almost like losing a limb. I even unplugged the Wi-Fi router, just to be extra sure I wouldn’t cave.
Step 3: Embracing the Silence (and Boredom)
Initially, it was…boring. Seriously boring. My mind was racing, thinking about all the things I could be doing. Scrolling, messaging, watching… But I forced myself to just sit. I looked out the window. I listened to the sounds of the city, which, ironically, felt louder when I was trying to ignore them. I actually noticed the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. Who knew?
Step 4: Simple Tasks, Mindful Moments
I made myself a simple meal – just some bread and cheese. I ate it slowly, actually tasting it. Then, I picked up a book I’d been meaning to read for ages (a physical book, no e-readers!). I got lost in the story, and for a while, I forgot I was even trying to be a hermit. I just was.
Step 5: The Journaling Bit
- I feel very antsy. Want my phone.
- Bored. But also… calm?
- The quiet is making me think too much.
- Actually enjoying this book.
- Hungry again. This simple life makes you appreciate food.
Step 6: Breaking the Seal (and Re-Entry)
I didn’t last a full 24 hours. I’m weak, I admit it. After about 6 hours, I cracked. I powered up my phone, and the flood of notifications felt…overwhelming. I checked my emails, scrolled through social media, and it all felt…empty. Like I hadn’t really missed anything important.
So, could I be a full-time hermit? Probably not. But this little experiment did teach me something. It showed me how much noise I usually live with, and how much I actually crave that quiet, simple space. I definitely want to incorporate more “hermit moments” into my life, even if it’s just for an hour a day. Turning off the distractions and just being…it’s surprisingly powerful.
