Today I’m sharing a picture of two lonely lost pieces I put together from my personal collecting.
Today in my meditation on the Eternal Curse, I’m writing about: Why isolation?
With so many topics to write about, I often wonder to myself why I’ve chosen to focus so much on isolation. I think deep down I know what it feels like to be isolated both figuratively and literally. I can clearly state that I’ve never been a “victim” of bullying, but that’s only because I’ve always been strong enough and angry enough to fight bullies, but that never seems to stop them from trying. I guess the point that I’m trying to make, is that even though I never physically suffered at the hand of a bully, just knowing that people are out there making an effort to victimize me, or anyone else, can make you feel lonely and isolated.
Because isolation is very much a part of my everyday life, I write about it in ways that make is seem relative. Isolation can be a good or bad thing depending on how one goes into it. I find that I feel more myself sometimes when I’m alone and I know for sure that I get more writing done in solitude than when others are around. Isolation can be self-imposed in both positive and negative ways. If someone choices isolation as a means of escape for safety, there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, however, seeking solitude for a moment of peace and self-reflection is actually quite healthy.
I can’t think of any reason why forced isolation would be a good thing, but that isn’t to say that someone couldn’t gain some sort of knowledge or perspective that may help them down the road after such an experience.
Sometimes when I think about isolation and its role in my life, I begin to think about the many labels others have pressed upon me to make me feel isolated socially. If I’m not shy or soft-spoken, how then can I be: an introvert or social mute? If you’re not the life of the party does that automatically demote you to wallflower or weirdo?- I don’t think so. So I write about isolation in all its good and bad forms hoping one day it will all make sense to me.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
3 replies on “Tea and Conversation 07: Isolation”
It’s surprising how many people feel isolated. Connotatively, that’s a negative, but many don’t think of it that way. It’s almost liberating, to be accountable to no one. What do you think?
I have these two ideas that are constantly battling in my mind. One is that human beings need companionship of some kind to thrive and the other is that isolation is freedom. I’ve tried to reconcile the ideas and settle on one as my personal ideology, but the truth is, I live by both. Most of the time, I don’t feel lonely when I’m alone, but without others around, at some point, to challenge me, I become stagnant… :/
If I’m around people for any length of time, I have to get away. A little bit of conviviality goes a long way with me!