Hermit the Human

Desert or Dessert

I always find humor in the mix-up between dessert and desert. The tasteless dessert of desert theology is a coined term from religion having people wander the desert as a trial to test humans. During this experience of soul searching, self-discovery, people look within to accept God or themselves. Christianity was the ones to take the ideas of ‘desert theology’ apply them to those who live the eremitic life, also known as ‘being a hermit.’

The Latin reference ĕrēmīta, where hermit derives from, means “of the desert,” referencing the uninhabitable desert-dweller. Traditionally, a hermit was a person who lived in solitude, away from society. Some examples of hermits are monks, bishops, foresters, and pathfinders. Many other religions and walks of life use this seclusion lifestyle for meditation, prayer, focus, and study as a hermit.

As a new year has begun, and admittedly, as this article was a struggle to be written, society continues to transform from the dramatic changes from two years ago. More of the population is physically detaching from large-size cities. People are reflecting within to find themselves, whether it is self-sustaining off-grid farmers or van life nomads. Being a hermit is not locking yourself in your home or placing yourself in solitary confinement. Often subtle detachments from larger groups of society are a larger spectrum of variations of a hermit lifestyle.

A close-knit community is a detachment from the larger world society, similar to staying home. The fewer options to be a socialite, the more time you have to yourself. With the new normal of living, many find what truly matters to them.

“But in fact, many people, maybe you included, feel something very different; many report being surprised by how much they’ve enjoyed not having to socialize, not being on the go all the time, and not doing everything that might potentially be interesting—getting off the doing horse.” - Nancy Colier https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/inviting-monkey-tea/202109/has-the-pandemic-turned-you-hermit

When the workhorse takes a moment to stop and enjoy, the horse may wonder if they wanted the work they were doing. Pandemic lethargy weighs on the two years of fear, stress, division in society. The inertia on the world, though, has given us a chance to check the rearview mirror and our blindspots to find out own path to our truth. For very few, being a hermit is nothing new. Ken Smith, a man who has lived an extreme hermit lifestyle for 40 years in the Scottish Highlands, says, “It’s a nice life.”

“…I decided I would never live on anyone’s terms but my own.” - Ken Smith https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-59174870

Living in the wild for years is not the only definition of a hermit lifestyle. There are many versions of being a hermit.

Digital Hermit

Log off the digital world that is growing more connected to the real world. Deactivating your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and whatever else is a way to have solitude online.

Simple Living

Modest and small living is a more conscious real-life approach to hermit life. Being in a big city doesn’t mean your home cannot be a sanctuary or solitude. Having a dedicated room or place where distractions are not permitted offers that space. No TV, minimizing possessions and clutter can offer space for clarity.

Off-Grid

Becoming a self-sufficient, independent human, living off the land, and building a skillset for survival is a more radical approach to hermit living. Growing your own food, learning to make your home for shelter, and being mentally capable of being detached from other human contact are some of the things to consider before going this far into solitude.

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Before considering any of these arrays of a hermit lifestyle, determine if this is something you want to do. What are the motives? Can you survive? Do you have the financial support and necessary skill set? Many of these sacrifices you make have benefits, but knowing what you give up and being okay is the first step in that way of living. If you choose to live in the desert, remember you do not have to stay there, you can step back into society to find some dessert.