The hardest part to living alone for a long duration is not the boredom or the lack of social contact. There are sufficient activities to do to kill time, and honestly it is just a little more boring than having to behave in the expected way when around people. As for the latter problem, technology is advanced and widespread enough to maintain a healthy amount of communication, and the world still revolves regardless.

No, the real menace is the constant thoughts that you are unwanted and unneeded, and to a degree it is true. Without the daily, compulsory, interactions with others that you face in school or at work, you lose the continued affirmation of your peers that you are worth something. The comforting thought that you can be who you want to be, and still be accepted for it... it is a luxury that most take for granted.

When someone is not forced to face you daily, they have less at stake with your relationship. Telecommunication also provides a means of escape, such as pretending to be "Away" when instant messaging or simply not replying to an SMS. The result is that people can afford to be more truthful about what you mean to them. The truth often hurts.


--- Preview of "The Unfortunate Journey" ---