Social Hangover
"We are all different" – a phrase thrown around quite often. And thankfully, it's true. Some adore winter, others summer; some thrive in nature, while others prefer the city.
But there's one area where this diversity seems absent: socializing.
The first to leave a party is branded a bore. Anyone declining a gathering is deemed a weirdo. Going to the movies alone marks you as strange.
Why is this? Why does socializing always trump solitude? It's as if loneliness is automatically equated with something being wrong.
There's a lot of talk about the importance of online privacy, but when it comes to wanting some privacy in the physical world, it's a different story. We're expected to be "online" by default, 24/7. If we go "offline," it's treated as a malfunction — a 404 page.
People often tell me I'm a social person. Sure, I enjoy listening to others, asking questions, and reflecting on their experiences in light of my own. But it comes with a price...
After two or three hours, I'm exhausted. I experience a "social hangover." Everyone seems to be talking endlessly about nothing, as if there's a collective fear of silence and stillness.
Why is solitude taboo?
I don't have the answers, but I've gotten better at announcing my early departure. It still feels odd to do so, and occasionally, I'm met with confusion. But honestly, I don't care — I'm too old for that, and it feels incredibly liberating.
Mentions