The Irony Of Isolation

~ Meg

As a rather contented introvert, being isolated should not be such an ordeal. I’m used to not talking to anyone all day long until my husband comes home from work. And yes, we’ve made some new friends here and enjoy an occasional get-together. But my daily life is fairly solitary. Besides exercise and household chores, my routine consists of writing, researching, editing, and possibly art projects. However, in a strange twist of fate, isolation has completely disrupted this quiet existence.

Since we’ve been in lockdown for the last couple of weeks, I swear I have spent more time writing and answering messages, emails, and talking over WhatsApp and FaceTime than I ever have. We all feel the need to get in touch. It might be out of genuine concern, boredom or perhaps that dreadful feeling of I might never get to see you again if one of us gets sick. It’s probably a combination of all those things. I’ve never been a Facebook person but I find myself scrolling through it all the time now. I have joined local groups so I can find out what’s going on here in the village. This is not me!!!

It is not surprising that ‘people’ people [extroverts] are in constant contact. I get that they need to be connected to feel energised and fulfilled. But someone like me doesn’t normally need that kind of interaction. It also doesn’t make me a bad person or cool, aloof or uncaring. It just means I cope differently. I find peace and quiet rejuvenating. Isolation should be a piece of cake. Should be. Why am I losing my mind?

These are unprecedented circumstances. Even though I’m reaching corona fatigue, I still feel the need to pay attention, to wait hopefully for that good news to come. Until a return to normalcy [whatever that’s going to look like] we all need to talk, to vent, to connect and make sure everyone in our circle is doing ok. Even us introverts, apparently. I should be great at self isolation. But I’m not. How ironic.

Published by Meg

Easily amused, never bored and constantly distracted. My creative pursuits include writing, drawing, painting and photography.

38 thoughts on “The Irony Of Isolation”

  3. As a fellow introvert…I understand this post completely!
    For instance: You know you’ve hated Brussels sprouts all your life, but as soon as you are told you will never be allowed to eat Brussels sprouts again…you CRAVE them and just know you will not survive if you don’t eat them NOW! hahaha

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  5. I’m another person who is perfectly happy in solitude. Agreeing that it is the concern for others, the need to check in and make sure that the folks we know and love and care about and are now at serious risk that has me reaching out, checking in.

    The forest surrounding Sedona is getting a rest, and the spring flowers are blooming in areas where they long ago gave up due to the thousands of people biking, hiking, partying, four wheeling, dumping debris, and camping. May humans show the resilience of wildflowers, who wait it out until it is safe to bloom again.

    Stay safe Meg. All my best to you.

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    1. Thank you, JoHanna. It’s like nature is taking a deep breath. Maybe we’ll learn a lesson from that … hopefully… Best wishes to you and yours as well!

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  6. Isn’t it crazy? I worked at home for 16 years so I’m used to being alone, but now I’m glad I’m stuck with family for awhile. And yes, I spend way too much time on social media and catching the government updates. I’m loving the Cuomo brothers together —reminds me of my brothers! Can hardly imagine what our new normal will be, but hoping it’s a kinder world out there! Stay safe and well.

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    1. Yes, I hope we learn an important lesson from all this. Humans are meant to work together! Well for now we’re all together apart. Thanks Dee! Sending all my love and best wishes to you too!

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  7. There’s only two things that I have noticed has affected me in this shut-down: I can’t go to the book store to drink a latte while browsing books and my morning commute to work has been wonderful!
    I feel for so many people being without work, because God knows I’ve been through that and it is not fun!

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    1. Yes, the economic impact has yet to be fully realized. Its one thing to be isolated but know you have a way to feed your family and another completely to have nothing to return to when we come out of this. I only hope we can recover from this quickly. And I miss my new favorite bookstore too! It’s this crazy old used book store with winding stairs and hidden rooms. So much fun to explore! Hope you’re managing alright in all this! Best wishes!

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    1. It really does feel like nature is relishing our lower impact on it. If only we could find a way to make that aspect of all this continue… Thanks Donnalee, I’m glad you’re managing well through all this. Stay safe!

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      1. It’s up to the people really. Many may be smart enough to remember that taking it slower had a lot going for it, and watching nature is worthwhile, that sort of thing–that home cooking can be fun, and that getting along well at home counts for a lot.

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    1. I agree! And I’m glad to be out of the city so that I can continue to get out in the fresh air. I’ve been going out moon and stargazing at night too. It’s lovely!

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  11. I feel you here, it’s been weird this and while I don’t necessarily need to be in touch I find I can’t stay in the house and need to get out for a walk which around here is easy because it’s out in the sticks.
    Keep well 🙂

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    1. Yes! I’m glad to be able to get out and walk myself. Nature is soothing and fortunately the weather has been lovely the last couple weeks. Stay safe, Simon!

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  12. I understand what you’re saying. Like you, I don’t work outside my home. I guess unless you count parenting, I don’t work at all. But the point is… I’m in my home most of the time anyway, even before this crisis. Yet, during this shutdown, I feel trapped and anxious about being home all the time.

    It’s weird!

    I do not go to facebook, though. God, I hate that place. I do read twitter more than I used to (and post there a little more, too). I have a group text with my mom and two sisters, and we exchange messages every single day. It wasn’t as frequent before. There is definitely a need to connect with others more often now that we can’t see them in person. For me, that’s only my mom, sisters, nephew, brother-in-law… you know, family. Other than them, I don’t miss being around people.

    But yes… this isolation is not easy… even for us introverts. (Aaaaand… there’s my word for ‘I’! Thank you!! 🙂

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    1. Ah, excellent! Yeah, I’m hardly on Facebook normally either. It is more popular here though… All the businesses and local community things have Facebook pages. I find myself following along just to see what’s going on nearby! It’s weird too with ‘isolation’ … it shouldn’t feel all that disruptive to my day-to-day routine [if you can call it that] but I’m terribly distracted and having trouble concentrating on anything for more than maybe fifteen minutes or so. My self discipline is sorely lacking!

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      1. Me too! I think I’m going to do one thing but before I actually start, I’ve already changed my mind. It’s ridiculous. A lot of the time, I end up changing my mind so many times I end up doing nothing! I thought I was going to bake today. Instead, I painted my nails. ???

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  13. I’m about 99% extrovert, so I knew this was going to drive me mad. But I guess what I didn’t expect was that there are moments where I am so totally content to be home with my family that I can almost forget what’s going on in the world. (Then of course, it all comes crashing back down and I feel guilty for even forgetting.) It’s a tough time for everyone.

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    1. It definitely is. I know introversion doesn’t mean you ‘never’ need people so I guess being forced away from them takes its toll. One thing I am appreciating is the quiet. The lack of man made sounds! The birds are singing and I hear the sheep in the fields – it’s very soothing! Take care JR! ❤️❤️

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    1. Thanks so much! Oh the extroverts would go mad if they had to live like this with no end in sight! They could let us isolate in peace however…. 😃

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    1. I think so too. The only thing I’m really missing is a change of scenery. The transition back to normalcy is likely to be a slow one so we’ll have time to adapt. Thanks for your thoughts!

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