Memes that reflect my need to avoid people are easy to find lately and maybe that’s a little scary. For most of my life, I’ve believed there are folks out there who crave human contact and whose welcome mat isn’t a lie. Now, I wonder if they ever existed. When did we all become so sick of each other?
It seems there is a rise of pro-introversion propaganda on the internet. I couldn’t be more pleased. As a lifelong introvert, I’ve wondered why I’ve been made to feel that I should be more outgoing as if introversion is a character flaw. (Now, if night owls could receive the same consideration. It’s time for the morning people to live on OUR schedule.)
We’ve blamed the pandemic for everything else, but it is possible that our time alone in 2020 caused us to want more isolation? As someone who has always wanted to be left alone, I can’t answer for the partying, night-clubbing, social butterflies I’ve avoided since birth–but have they crossed over to the silent hermit side of the fence?
I posted this on Facebook today:
There is some truth to it. I’m not a fan of small talk, not that it would kill me in two minutes. After I posted it, I glanced at other anti-people posts I have made recently and concluded that at the core, they don’t truly speak for me.
While I love living alone:
- I don’t hate individual people.
- There are people I want to talk to and hang out with.
- I miss some people who are no longer around
Are the other people posting these memes the same? Again, when did we get so sick of each other?
Once more, I can’t speak for everyone, but I found a George Carlin quote this morning that has always summed up my feelings for my fellow humans.
“People are wonderful. I love individuals. I hate groups of people. I hate a group of people with a ‘common purpose’, ’cause pretty soon they have little hats, and armbands and fight songs and a list of people they’re going to visit at 3 A.M. So, I dislike and despise groups of people but I love individuals. Every person you look at; you can see the universe in their eyes, if you’re really looking.”
George Carlin
Recent events and everyone being a social media star has perhaps changed the way we see people. It’s no longer an individual at your door, but a representative of all the groups you’ve seen her align with. The flags she carries only remind you of the ones you hold that are at war with hers.
The sophistication to understand that people are more (and less) than the beliefs they have and the groups they feel they need to join, is rare. It is easier to buy a “go away” mat for the front door and post anti-social sentiments than peel away those layers.
I don’t resolve to change. It’s still better to text me than call, and if you show up without calling or texting, I’m not likely to answer my door. I’ll still prefer the outskirts of any gathering. No matter where you see me, you’re safe in assuming that I’d rather be at home. When Sartre is quoted, “Hell is other people,” I’ll always have thoughts to share about it.
But I don’t hate anyone. I really, really, really, really don’t.
Betty White may have given the best advice. Who is going to argue with her?
“I don’t understand how people can get so anti-something. Mind your own business, take care of your affairs, and don’t worry about other people so much.”
Betty White
