Quote Originally Posted by friendowl
its been a while since i took a peek into my mirror
so im going on a lil vision quest

for 21 days ..222 miles..im going to walk by myself and think about things
21 tuna packs and 21 mac n cheese boxes
powdered gaotorade and 1 ounce of some beautiful kush [la club]

has anyone ever been alone for a long time
so far the longest ive been without human contact would be 7 days and nights in capitol reef nat.park in utah
Sounds incredible man. I sincerely hope you enjoy your venture, and be sure to fill us in with all the details once you're done. When do you plan on doing this anyways?

Finding yourself in solitude is amazing. Being alone truly does affect the way you look at yourself, and even others. I spent about a year in high school completely to myself after school. Instead of going out with people, I would come home, and relax. I would smoke, write, read, and attempt to become closer with my family. Doing this was really unlike my normal self, because I've always been a fairly social person. I lost a lot of friends in doing this, but it also helped me discover who my true friends were.

Now, I didn't completely isolate myself from the world, like you're talking about, but I understand where you're coming from. Being alone for a certain amount of time can be a very good thing.

Quote Originally Posted by Darth Vapor
Anyone else find it sooooo fucking hard to find people who just let you be yourself? I'm not bragging, I'm just going to state a fact, here. People I work with think I'm a really funny guy. I've always got a comment that cracks people up, and pulls them out of the depression our work sometimes creates. Ever seen the show Cheers, when Norm walks in the bar? Well, it's like that when I walk in, in the morning. The problem I have, is that people have little interest in me, when I'm having a tough day. If I'm not making them laugh, I'm either ignored, or people try to get me to start saying funny stuff, like some circus monkey. It hurts, sometimes, when I think people just see me as a toy, and if I'm not entertaining them, I'm just cast aside. I'm not allowed to feel angry, sad, or upset.

I know this is hardly worthy of a real problem in life. I just wanted to give you a background, before I tell you why I like to be alone, a lot of times. It's so hard to find someone who enjoys my good side, but will be there for me, when I'm not being a clown. Someone who won't throw me away, and look for a new plaything, the first time I get angry, or sad, or depressed, but instead, let me lean on them, or leave me alone, when I need time to myself.

Thanks for listening to my bitchfest. :smokin:
Alright, man. Let me first say, I've been through the exact same shit. It was moreso when I was younger, but I know exactly what you're talking about. In fact, it was mainly at work as well. Things have changed though. I don't let this happen anymore. I've learned that by entertaining everyone else you can be taken advantage of. You've got to stop putting all your energy (if you even are) into satisfying those around you. I know your humor and attitude probably come off extremely natural to you, but you have to know when it's too much. Because when this shit starts happening, you know there's got to be line drawn.

Talk to your co-workers. Tell them exactly what you just told all of us. It'll be a reality check for them, and if you're sincere and stern about it, they will change. And if not, fuck them. There are so many good people out there. Wasting your time on people that don't care about your true self is pointless. And also--realize if you do the same thing that these people do. There's a possibility you treat someone else just like they are to you. Things may begin to make a little more sense. You've got to look at things from many different angles sometimes.

Quote Originally Posted by Hazz
I took my monastic vows in 87 after high school and moved to Thailand to live with the Buddhist monks. This is truly a meaningful and worthwhile way to spend your life, and to be of benefit to others. Threw devotion, dedication, I spent my days in the garden growing food for the monks and at night I would make wine and pray...I did this for 3 years without speaking a single word
after my ordination in accordance with the teachings and practices of the Buddhist traditions (e.g. Theravada, Tibetan, etc.) I was sent out to spread the word of compassion and the teachings of Buddha.
3 years?! Damn, much respect man. Don't think I could pull that one off.

phew. :jointsmile: