Loner Check In

[berniesandersmittens]

Hi fellow Loners! I wanted to check in and see how everyone is holding up. These last few months have been difficult, to put it mildly. The absolute horror of MF's regime has taken a toll on my ability to communicate with others. I need to send a special shout out to those of us who are alone during this time. Even though I haven't posted much, I still read DU every day. It's a lifesaver having you all at the other end of this keyboard.

Tomorrow will be the first time that I will venture out into public in a very long time. My sign is nearly finished. I don't know how long I will be able to stand with my brothers and sisters in solidarity, but it's too important to sit this protest out.

Protesting in a ruby red, rural area is especially important. Folks need to see that their neighbors are speaking out against tyranny and hate.

To keep myself occupied, I have a garden to tend to. The peppers are nearly ready to pick. I have tomatoes, onions, peppers, potatoes, pinto beans, corn, and cucumbers growing. So basically pickles, salsa, beans and taters and cornbread lol.

Gardening helps remind me that there is a season for everything and that transformation is inevitable. The seeds of kindness and tolerance will not wither on the vine and hard work will come home to roost when we need it most.
The play Death of a Salesman was a perfect analogy to our current time. We reap what we sow.

Hugs to all. Keep up the faith and keep up the hard work. We will rise.

[wcmagumba]

1. Me too, as PeeWee Herman once said, "I'm a loner, a rebel, Dottie"...

Stay safe and informed, as I live in an apt with no garden (a little out front flower patch full of Lillies (not yet bloomed).

[berniesandersmittens]

2. I've got a silly song stuck in my head

I was out in the garden with my pup and cat. In the most "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" voice I started singing "we're gonna eat some beans and taters, gonna eat these beans and taters..."

[alfredo]

4. I can see his delivery of that line.

I’ve been a loner since my wife died in Nov 2023. My sister in law keeps me engaged with the world. I can’t put weight on, so she makes sure I eat well. Tomorrow we will go by a butcher to buy us some lunch. A Philly cheese steak is in my future, I truly believe..

[Irish_Dem]

3. Good luck tomorrow and thank you for going!

DU will be with you in spirit.

[berniesandersmittens]

5. Thanks!

My sign should say " Things are so bad, even the Loners showed up"

[Irish_Dem]

6. "Things are so bad even a house mouse like me showed up."

I am a very strong introvert so I can identify.

Have you taken the Myers-Briggs test?

[berniesandersmittens]

7. Haven't taken it

I'm a weirdo. I can small talk to strangers with the best, but when it comes to actually bonding with new people I close off.

Is an extroverted introvert a thing? Lol

[Irish_Dem]

8. Introverts can extrovert themselves when needed.

And may do well with small groups or one on one.
Strangers may be easier since there is no bonding, it is more superficial.

Relationships can be draining.
Solitude is how the introvert charges their batteries.

So you are not weird, it is normal for an introvert.

[wcmagumba]

11. I've always considered myself an introvert but I was in debate and theatre in HS and college and community theatre

in Kansas City for years. I could turn the introvert off somehow...weird but that is me...

[Irish_Dem]

14. Possible explanations:

Perhaps you are not a strong introvert, but more balanced than you realize.
For example if you took a test which measures your introversion vs extroversion it could show
that you are not all introvert but have a higher level of extroversion than you thought.

However even strong introverts like myself can extrovert themselves to perform job duties or hobbies
that they love. For example, I was a therapist, so able to keep most of my interaction to one on one
or small family groups.

But I love to teach and taught college classes which I loved. I also have hobbies
that took me into small groups. Book clubs, cards, etc.

So the introvert can do it and may even enjoy it. The difference is that for an introvert it costs them.
They are going to need down time to recharge. Whereas an extrovert gets their batteries charged by
being around people.

So you are not weird at all, but quite normal for an introvert who has learned to extrovert themselves for job
or hobbies.

Introverts make up about 30% of the population so we are seen as unusual, but not rare. However being an introvert is not abnormal or unhealthy, it is just a normal variation in the population.

[wendyb-NC]

9. Still here in the background

A lot going on. Your garden sounds incredible, great way to work off stress. The fresh produce is a reward beyond compare.
I applaud you for going to the protest, be safe and let us know how it went. Peace.

[berniesandersmittens]

10. Peace my friend

I like the sign that says "Break bread not families"

[yonder]

12. Hanging in there too and as you mentioned: the last several months HAVE been rough.

Right now though, charging up the batteries for tomorrow.

[berniesandersmittens]

13. Yeah I gotta go try to get some sleep

Solidarity my friend!