Hermit: comes from the Latin erēmīta, from Greek erēmitēs, "of the desert"
First Usage 1130-1225 Middle English
I have always considered myself a hermit. I avoid social situations whenever possible. My autism means that everyday sights, sounds, activities can be overwhelming. My PTSD causes me to be hyper-vigilant, especially in regards to my personal space, people behind me and yelling or angry voices.
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Hermit: a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.
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As a child, I wanted to be a monk, till I figured out monkhood was only for boys and the highly religious.
I just wanted to find some place quiet. Voices, interaction causes stress and feelings of discomfort. I wanted to find a safe, quiet, peaceful place where no one would bother, disturb or hurt me.
I only leave the house when I have to, for groceries, appointments, errands, that's it.
Summer and Spring, I enjoy going for long walks in the woods, fields and vacant cemeteries.
There is no negativity, no crime, in being a hermit. It's just who I am.
I could have written the above. You are not on your own, so to speak. I enjoyed working through your list of hermits and reading about how they had lived. Elsewhere I read that traditionally hermits lived apart from others but made themselves available to visitors and those seeking their advice and wisdom. A 'solitary' on the other hand lived such that they had nothing to do with other people at all.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.