How much time do you think you would enjoy being alone on a deserted island?

@Awfullybrave that is exactly the point why I asked the question, i.e., do we like our own company. I was just thinking about that issue. I think it is very important to be able to enjoy ourselves, and fantastic for you that you enjoy your own thoughts. We should all strive to that.

@sumojumo Thank you. Don't get me wrong I love it when I am hanging out with my friends but I love my own company...I had to learn to love it. I am only child and my family is very protective. I was never allowed to go anywhere growing up. My friends were welcome to come over but my parents won't let me go to theirs. I was always alone or with my parents around. Also I find being around people gives me more anxieties lol...

@Awfullybrave Of course, I understand, I also spent the vast majority of my childhood alone. But as an adult (if I could call myself that ;)) I kind of forgot how to spend my time alone, I feel anxiety when no one is around, I have no idea what happened.

@sumojumo Oh really? Time alone is nice :)
I was shy too as a child so being alone was ok. I have trust issues so I find being alone saves me alot of problems lol ..My friends know that I like being alone and they give me a hard time about it sometimes lol. Somedays they just show up and knock on my door to get me out and hang out lol

@Awfullybrave Yes, I know it might sound strange, probably the reason is that I tend to use other people as a decoy, that I do not have to deal with my own thoughts. But now I am learning to like myself more, and that anxiety is slowly going away.

@sumojumo it's not strange we all have our coping mechanisms :)
Awesome. I get more nervous around people lol..so I drink then I become social lol..is not always a good idea but alcohol brings me out of my shell..I do however love my own company especially now with internet and SW, there is always someone to talk to..have you heard of mindfulness??

:D alcohol is a great remedy. I heard of the term mindfulness, but I think it means many different things to many different people. What do you mean by that?

@sumojumo oh yes. Actually I forgot to ask if there will be alcohol on island lol..to me mindfulness is "paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally" "Bringing one's complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis"
Mindfulness help me to increase my ability to regulate my emotions, decrease my stress, anxiety and depression. It also help me to focus my attention, as well as to observe my thoughts and feelings without judgment.

@Awfullybrave :D there is alcohol in abundance, no worries.

That definition of mindfulness is exactly what I am learning, a very succinct definition of the tactic that is working amazingly for me. I am still struggling with it, trying to make it automatic, but I am giving all my hopes into it.

@sumojumo You will get there. Once you know how to is really easy☺️. If there is alcohol, wifi and can have a phone to make calls, I can definitely stay longer lol

@Awfullybrave :) thank you for having faith in me. I am planning to have a nice gin&tonic today and enjoy my own company - will report how it goes :D.

Having WiFi and phone is kind of cheating, that is human contact, so not according to the rules. ;)

@sumojumo Then a week would be more than enough lol. Yes please would love to hear how you go. Gin and tonic..Yummy

@Awfullybrave I will give a report, let's hope for the best.

Yeah, I am an avid admirer of gin and tonic - it always gives me a "fuck it" view of life, I do not know why :D but that is exactly why I love it.

@sumojumo Yup. Alcohol has that influence on me too🤭 Sometimes that's what you need! "Fuck it view of life" lol