Would you consider yourself to be a shut-in?

I'm kind of split in the middle, not really a shut in, but definitely not an out there kind of guy.
I do what I want, and it usually doesn't involve other people.
So I go outside to skate around and shop and whatnot but unless a person really catches my attention, I usually don't try to engage and they end up forgotten.
And besides doing the things I like doing outside, I'm often in my personal quarters doing my thing. 

Backlash wrote

malmon wrote

What's happening tomorrow? :o

Indoors is comfy, but I dunno if I'd be happy not going outside. Maybe you'll change your mind once the migranes go away!

I'm sure... You're probably right, Mal-kun.

I suppose... what I really want is a sort of quiet "retirement" from life. I don't want to pursue any lofty goals or a demanding career - Hell, I'd be happy shuffling papers and pretending to work a dead-end job all day, if I could. But I want to spend time with the people I love. I'll write a novel, I'll fix my health, I'll learn Japanese, and I'll hold hands under cherry blossoms with all the people I love. And that includes you.

Doesn't that sound lovely, Maci?

I kind of relate to the whole "retirement" thing, as sometimes, things seem to add up to nothing, especially with classes where you learn, and then one month later forget everything taught. Having a person to share things with does sound beautiful, as then you really get to collect the good times you try not to forget. Although I probably could life by myself for a long time without needing someone like that, the appeal of just you and them in that quiet life sounds heavenly.

malmon Lol. Reporting back in 2 years later. No longer a shut in and I do have some very good friends now.

But on the topic at hand. Since I am gravedigging this thread I used to be a legit shutin/neet during my days of university ₅ years ago. For a whole year. Almost never went out, only to the store 5 minutes before closing time to get food. Or order takeout. Never went to school, never had any friends.

Weird times. I actually miss it sometimes when living the wage life these days. If it werent for the fact that I financed my neet lifestyle on accumulating student debt back then.

Yuu_ That's good! I've kinda not spent very much time out these past couple of years, aside from work, and seeing friends a few times >_<

Yeah, working sucks, but I guess it's at least... arguably morally better than being a NEET lol

As my involuntary holiday from work draws to a close, I find myself creating miniature skits in my mind of possible conversations I'll have at the office.

I'm not exactly a people-person... in spite of how much I like people. >~<

Backlash Haha, I can relate. I usually do this before telephone conversations, when calling someone I don't know personally (like making an appoint with a dentist or hair cutter).

Reporting in 2 years later. I am about the same as I was before. Although I live someone else now and I wish I had the same great roads I skated on back then. The sidewalks at my old place were great and the routes I could take were pretty diverse as well. Things have been the same for me the last while, but in these next few years is when I really make decisions that will determine my life. No pressure me. I wonder if it will shake up my life or not.

I wish I could isolate myself more from people. I know it's played out at this point, but I really do struggle with anxiety and functioning day to day. I can feel the issue getting worse every year, I'm scared I'll have a nervous breakdown someday and lose everything I worked so hard to earn. Simple tasks most people don't have trouble with like phone calls or going grocery shopping are brutal events I dread dealing with. It gets particularly bad when I don't have any down time to unwind. Of course, I still have to do them, because I would suffer more if I didn't do the minimum to function in society.

Some people dream of retiring when they get old, I dream of being alone.

Minty I guess I can't really speak for everyone, but I personally really wouldn't recommend isolation. The loneliness would get too much >_<

malmon I like going outside and riding my bike.

mnl I've tried that several times, therapy seems like a scam to me. Maybe it works for some people, but it doesn't do anything for me except empty my wallet. I'm at a point in life where I've just accepted this is how I am. The best I can hope for is to cope with my situation. \_( '~ ' )_/

malmon It's not all bad, it's just something I have to work around. I really enjoy staying home and doing a lot on my computer, I've even started to build my career around limiting direct contact with people. In a weird way, my problem has become a catalyst for how to go about living my life. I do have a small close-knit network of people I talk to and enjoy the company of from time to time. Even as isolated as I would like to be; I understand I can't completely cut-off all contact forever. Just wishful thinking.