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Explore our expert advice on embracing a hermit lifestyle
If you've landed here, you're either seeking a life dedicated to spiritual growth and prayer, or you're tired of endless food photos on Facebook and the chaos of failing governments. Regardless of your reasons, the essentials of hermit living remain consistent. Are you prepared for a life of solitude, self-sufficiency, and ingenuity? Curious to learn more?
Essential Steps to Embrace Hermit Life
- Acquire or construct a small, remote dwelling far from crowds and disturbances.
- Gather essential survival items such as pantry goods, personal care products, and medical supplies.
- Master skills that support a sustainable hermit lifestyle, including gardening and woodworking.
Guidelines
Discovering What Suits You Best
Reflect on your reasons for considering a hermit lifestyle. What are you aiming to escape or achieve? Without a clear purpose, becoming a hermit might just be a fleeting trend. Is this a temporary act of defiance? Are you trying to avoid someone or society at large? Is this an extended period of solitude for self-reflection? Do you feel a spiritual pull towards hermitism? What drives you personally?
- Are you drawn by the idea of solitude or the simplicity of the lifestyle? Does it feel like a temporary phase or a long-held aspiration? Could it be a sign of a deeper issue, or is it the only viable solution for you?
Assess the extent of your desired hermit lifestyle. Being a hermit doesn't necessarily mean complete isolation. Many maintain some level of communication with the outside world or even share their space with another person. A significant number reside in urban areas. Understanding that hermitism exists on a spectrum, where do you see yourself fitting in?
- In today's interconnected world, achieving complete self-sufficiency is challenging. Do you aspire to build your own shelter, cultivate your own food, and set up your own water system? Or would you prefer to remain in your apartment and enjoy the convenience of takeout meals? Both scenarios represent different facets of the hermit lifestyle.
Choose your dwelling thoughtfully. Embracing the essence of hermitdom, it's advisable to select a secluded, compact, and humble abode. An environmentally conscious choice is even better. The more rural and remote, the more fitting. However, if you find yourself in the heart of Manhattan, that can work too (just ensure you have soundproof windows).
- Regarding the interior, hermits typically seek simplicity. Some may have modern amenities like cable and internet, while others dedicate their time to prayer, gardening, and complete detachment from society. If your goal is to escape societal pressures, consider decluttering your space to reflect your inner peace.
Plan your transition to a hermit lifestyle. Do you intend to make a sudden break? Imagine waking up one day, glancing at your door, and deciding never to step beyond the confines of your cozy Berber carpet again. Or will you gradually reduce your social interactions, increasing your solitude over time? Additionally, how will you inform those around you?
- How can you become a hermit without causing distress to your family? In truth, it's challenging. They may not understand your desire to live differently from societal norms. To ease their concerns, start by explaining your motivations and reasoning. With luck, they'll comprehend your choice. If you wish, assure them of occasional contact. Being a hermit doesn't mean complete disappearance from their lives.
Evaluate your mental well-being. If the idea of never interacting with people again appeals to you (though most hermits don’t live this way), it might indicate an underlying condition like avoidant personality disorder, PTSD, or another undiagnosed mental health issue. Conditions such as these can fuel a strong urge to isolate yourself (Social Anxiety Disorder can also contribute, though typically to a lesser degree). Could this be a factor for you?
- Consult a therapist if you’re contemplating complete social withdrawal. This will reassure your loved ones, and it’s essential to ensure you’re not using isolation as a way to cope with an untreated mental health condition.
Preparing for the Journey
Secure your finances. Unless you have a remote job that aligns seamlessly with your hermit lifestyle, you likely won’t have a steady income stream. Yet, you’ll still need money to cover basic necessities. While your expenses will be far lower, you’ll still require funds. How will you manage this?
- Remember, you’re still part of society. Taxes, student loans, and other obligations won’t vanish. You’ll need food, water (absolutely), electricity (likely), and other essentials. Growing your own food might sound appealing, but it’s no small feat without resources!
Gather essential supplies. Since you’re planning to stay put indefinitely, stock up on everything you’ll need. Ideally, you can limit trips to once a month for perishables like eggs and bread, or perhaps an annual visit to the store for items like powdered milk and spices. While grocery delivery is an option, it might feel like too much effort for your reclusive lifestyle.
- Imagine packing for a month-long trip to a remote location. What would you bring? Razors, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, books, batteries, or snacks? The goal is to create a self-sufficient haven where all your needs are met within your home.
Cut ties with the digital world. This is the moment you’ve been anticipating. Delete your Facebook account, bid farewell on Twitter in 140 characters, send one last Snapchat, surrender your cell phone, and perhaps even destroy your laptop. Revel in the freedom. You’ve now vanished from the digital realm. Well done.
- Of course, you can keep a phone for essentials like ordering pizza. Cable and internet are optional, but staying connected might dilute the spiritual essence of hermit life. While the hermit community won’t ostracize you (imagine that), you won’t fully embrace the reclusive lifestyle if you remain plugged in.
Create a self-sustaining environment. Since you’ll rely almost entirely on yourself, ensure you have everything you need within reach. Plant a garden, construct an outhouse, invest in a bicycle, and stock up on oil lamps. If it’s durable and long-lasting, it’s worth having.
- Ultimately, this is your call. The more self-sufficient your surroundings, the more you can immerse yourself in the hermit lifestyle. Years may fly by unnoticed. What steps will you take to build the life you envision?
Acquire new skills. With all the free time you’ll have for introspection, you’ll need ways to fill it. Grab a paintbrush (perhaps handmade from a twig and your own hair) and start painting. Master the Bo Staff, learn the basics of a foreign language, journal, study the flora in your backyard, or cultivate a garden. Sewing is another valuable skill. The possibilities are endless.
- At the very least, focus on skills that make hermit life easier. Sewing, cooking, gardening, handling household repairs, and even dealing with spiders are essential. Independence becomes effortless when you’re self-reliant. Can you handle your own laundry?
Learn to enjoy your own company. Why? Because you’ll be spending nearly every waking moment with yourself. If you don’t like who you are, that’s a recipe for misery—a constant, inescapable companion. It’s entirely possible to drive yourself to madness, an outcome you’d likely prefer to avoid. Disliking yourself could lead you there.
- For most, hermit life isn’t a short-term experiment but a lifelong commitment that brings fulfillment. While it’s often pursued later in life, anyone can embrace it at any stage. Before isolating yourself from the world, ensure you’re at peace with who you are.
Find a hermit helper. Think of them as a personal assistant with a poetic twist. There will be times when you need someone to deliver groceries, unclog a toilet, bring emergency pest control, or assist if you’re injured. It’s simply practical. Maintain a connection to the outside world—it could be a lifesaver.
- You don’t have to interact with them regularly, but you must be able to reach them when necessary. A phone is the simplest solution. If this feels contradictory to your principles, remember that owning a phone doesn’t mean you have to use it often. Keep one for emergencies—yes, even a landline will do.
Embracing the Rewards and Challenges
Make the most of your time. With no job, no social obligations, and no concern for appearances, how will you spend your days? Like many hermits, you’ll likely dedicate hours to meditation, prayer, and savoring life’s simple pleasures. Finally, time is on your side!
- You’ll likely discover you have more time than you ever imagined. Wake and sleep on your own schedule, and embrace a natural rhythm of productivity. Identify the best times for rest, meals, and exercise that suit you. With no external demands, there’s no need to push yourself to the limit.
- Use this freedom to master skills you’ve always wanted to try. Juggle! Grow roses! Bake bread from scratch! There’s a wealth of Mytour articles waiting to inspire you!
Keep your wardrobe minimal. If you’re strutting around in designer heels every day, you’re missing the point of hermit life. While you’re technically a hermit, the essence of the lifestyle is simplicity and rejecting excess. You don’t have to craft your own clothes, but stick to the essentials.
- If Ke$ha can pull off trashy chic, you can embrace hermit chic. Think of it like packing a suitcase: choose a few versatile pieces for every situation. That’s all you need! When they wear out, you’ll have mastered sewing by then. What a seamless transition to the next step!
Be mindful of loneliness. When was the last time you went days without even seeing another person? Sure, the world can be harsh, people can be difficult, and humanity might feel overrated, but that doesn’t mean loneliness won’t sneak up on you. How will you cope when it does?
- Many hermits maintain a small circle of trusted contacts. You could have one or two people to turn to when the blues hit. Just establish this beforehand—it’s much harder to build connections once you’re settled into hermit life.
- Another consideration: abstinence. Your social life will be nonexistent. Are you okay with that?
Engage with fellow hermits. Surprising, right? But it’s a real thing—there’s even a newsletter dedicated to it. Everyone needs someone who understands their struggles. You don’t have to meet in person or frequently, but reading a newsletter can offer comfort in an otherwise solitary existence.
- Having a few like-minded individuals in your corner doesn’t diminish your hermit status. If J.D. Salinger could venture into town for his mail, so can you. Human connection is a necessity, much like a balanced diet—cutting it out entirely will backfire. Allow yourself small doses (metaphorically, of course).
Prepare for a reputation. When local kids start peeking into your home or leaving gifts in tree hollows, know that the community is talking. Word will spread that a hermit lives in your abode, and that hermit is you. This doesn’t have to bother you, but re-entering society later could be tough. Are you ready for that?
- If you ever seek employment or friendships, expect some resistance. Hermits aren’t widely understood in today’s world. Why would anyone give up modern comforts? Remember the saying, "Once you leave home, you can never go back." Is it worth it? Perhaps.
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You don’t have to isolate yourself permanently. Being a hermit doesn’t mean you’re gone forever! Historically, hermits spent plenty of time outdoors and even welcomed occasional visitors. It’s healthy to enjoy the sunshine and, occasionally, human interaction.
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Be ready to explain your reasons for choosing a hermit lifestyle. The more composed and logical you are, the more likely people will respect your decision and give you space.
The guidance in this section comes from the real-life experiences of Mytour readers like you. If you have a useful tip to contribute, feel free to share it in the field below.
- Prioritize your health while living as a hermit. Develop a routine that includes proper sleep, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and time outdoors—even if it’s just relaxing on your porch or reading beneath a tree.
- Inform your loved ones before you disconnect from society. This can prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and unnecessary rumors that might arise if you vanish without explanation.
Warnings
- Avoid flaunting your hermit lifestyle. It’s best to keep it low-key.
- People may express concern. Stay firm in your decision but reassure them when necessary.
