Loneliness

Many of you have asked if I ever feel lonely. The short answer is, "Of course." However, I have felt less lonely on this adventure than I ever have in my entire life. Let me explain.

In my first post, I mentioned my friends and family live all over the place. Having an RV lets me drive and visit those that reside in the continental United States. I've seen more people now than I did during the pandemic.

I'm also extremely outgoing. I make friends with the local barista, yoga or dance class participants, anyone walking with binoculars, and with everyone my dog Oliver says hello. (RIP Fitz, that will be a post soon.) I usually end the day with at least one new contact, LinkedIn connection, or Instagram follower. In my adventure's early stages, I used dating apps but have stopped using them. (This, too, will likely be another post.)

What I haven't mentioned yet, is that I'm secretly introverted. I always say, "I am one of the most outgoing introverts you will ever meet." Don't get me wrong - I love people - I just also get energy from being alone.

When I am alone, my interior world becomes much larger. My imagination, or third eye, takes over. I can "see" my surroundings differently than if I were with others. For example, while on a hike, I can look at a plant and more easily remember all the facts my memory has stored about it, like what animals it attracts or if its fruit or leaves are edible. My ears are listening for potential threats, and my eyes are scanning for photo opportunities. My senses and subconscious are more aware of other creatures or energies around me. I might notice long troughs in the mud and imagine nearby wild pigs foraging for food. Deer tracks become Bambi's family exploring the woods. If you don't experience this yourself, it's like having a dream with your eyes open. When I get a ping on my phone or see another person, I get pulled out of this deep dream state, like in the movie Inception.

I also have unforgettable memories of my friends and family, take many photos and videos, and am frequently reminded about all the incredible moments I've already had with those people.

If tips on being more outgoing, how to identify birds or plants or more details on anything in this post would be helpful, please don't hesitate to let me know in the comments.