Here's an Update for All of You Social Hermits Out There

Back in August, I published a post called “Social Hermit: A Personal Definition” (link HERE) in which I pointed out that I was an introvert.  I went on to describe my personality a bit and I reflected on how introversion played a major role in the way Alan and I travel and the activities we enjoy.  Much to my surprise, that post garnered a lot of attention and I received a number of comments, texts and emails about it.  (No phone calls, though, because, as it turns out, most introverts don’t like using the phone.)  The post continues to draw readers even though it was published over two months ago.

Earlier this month, Alan and I had a wonderful opportunity to spend time with our friend Mary Gill.  Mary is a Certified Professional Coach and the Executive Director of Pursuing the Positive (link HERE).  She specializes in lifelong learning and achievement coaching and is one of the most intelligent and caring individuals I’ve ever met.  During that fun-filled visit with Mary (which included boating, pizza, lots of laughs and the sharing of countless memories from our decades old friendship), Mary and I ended up on a long drive together and the topic of introversion came up.  Mary suggested a book called “Quiet:  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain.  Well, thanks to Mary, I have since read that book plus two others, and now I have even more to share with you about the world of what I call “social hermits.”

Social Hermit: A Personal Definition

The photos accompanying this post are of places and campsites that held particular appeal due to their solitude or the feeling of quiet contentment they evoked.  Enjoy!

In previous posts, I’ve mentioned the fact that I consider myself a “social hermit.”  While I won’t necessarily claim credit for coining the term, I have to admit that it’s not a phrase I’ve heard uttered by anyone other than myself or my husband, Alan.  (I’m pretty sure he’d be classified as a social hermit, too, but I’ll leave it to him to conduct his own psychological evaluation.)  Since I’m aware that those two words – social hermit – can conjure up an image in people’s minds of a guy of indeterminate age with a long, shaggy beard who lives by himself in a shack in the woods, bathes in a creek and has no contact with the outside world, I thought it might be a good idea to share with you my personal definition of social hermit in order to dispel that myth.  Because, really, I don’t look or live anything like that.  And, although we may not be consciously aware of it, an individual’s personality can have a major impact on his or her travel style, as well as the activities he or she enjoys.