Health & Fitness : One benefit of the pandemic

One benefit of the pandemic

I never realized just how much I enjoy periods of solitude. I don't mean 24/7 isolation.
I came out of a long relationship before the pandemic, so when the lockdowns started, I was living on my own for the first time in a long time. I discovered that I don't need to constantly be doing something or hanging out with someone. It's so nice to sometimes come home from a crappy day at work and not have to do anything or talk to anyone if I don't want to. It seems to have a super restorative effect for me mentally. When all this covid dies down, it will be very tough to go back to the old ways. It's nice now because if I don't feel like doing something, I can just say, "Awww man, I really want to do that, but you know, the pandemic. Sorry." This really shouldn't surprise me though, I've always enjoyed books and movies about a person or small group of people stranded on a deserted island or isolated in nature somewhere.

I've adopted this as my new theme song:


Re: One benefit of the pandemic

Oh I completely agree, one of the things I hate doing is travelling, I hate everything about it and for nearly 2 years I've had a perfect excuse to not travel. Even if it's just to the next big town I just say "too many people, I can't go". Covid has got me out of several big work events too lol. Now the precedent is set I can just say "oh you know me, I'm anti-social!"

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

I guess a ready made excuse for after the pandemic could be something like “I have vaccine allergies so was not able to get the shots so I’ll have to stay out of society in perpetuity.”

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

Yeah it's good to be alone sometimes. People who can't handle their own company weird me out

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

If they can't stand themselves, then no one else probably can either lol!

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

I think if you learn to fill time as a child using imagination or hobbies or just rambling outdoors you'll have no problem filling time as an adult. I once read that children need to have time without parent-led activities or outings so that they learn the value of boredom.

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

I've been married for 40+ years. We both understand how important it is to have alone time. It's something you work out over the course of a lot of years. We did so early on, so it's never been an issue.

I am, by nature, a solitary person. That doesn't mean I like being alone all the time. I like socializing with friends - this I miss a lot during the pandemic - but I do need more along time than most people in order to recharge. Thankfully, I know myself.

Glad it's working out for you, but just understand that because something is happening doesn't obligate you to be there. You can nicely decline. But be aware that too much solitude can be a symptom of depression.

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

Very insightful, thanks for that. As for the depression, that is something I can thankfully say that I definitely do not suffer from. I'm always a happy chap. Like you, it seems like I just require time to myself to revitalize.

Re: One benefit of the pandemic

Good!
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