Man, what a wild ride that week was. You know, that first week of March, the 3rd to the 10th. It just kind of… happened. I didn’t set out planning anything grand, but life just shoved me into this “loner” mode, and honestly, I just went with it. It felt less like a choice and more like the universe saying, “Hey pal, take a seat, shut up, and think a bit.” And being a Pisces, I guess that kinda thing just sticks. So yeah, this is how that whole thing went down for me.
The Setup: Getting My Head Right (March 3-4)
It all kicked off on a Sunday, the 3rd. I’d been feeling pretty drained, just completely zapped from weeks of juggling too many things at once. My brain felt like mashed potatoes. I woke up, and the first thought wasn’t “What’s on the agenda?” but “How fast can I get back under the covers?” I actually dragged myself out of bed, made a terrible cup of coffee, and just stared out the window for what felt like an hour. My phone buzzed a couple of times, but I just ignored it. Didn’t even pick it up. That was the first conscious decision:
disconnect.
I remember telling myself, “Alright, let’s see what happens if you just… don’t.”
- I started by shutting down my laptop.
- Then I tossed my phone onto the bed and didn’t touch it for hours.
- I walked around my apartment, just pacing, trying to clear the static in my head.
- I made myself a proper breakfast, something I rarely do, just eggs and toast, but I really took my time.
Monday, the 4th, wasn’t much different. I didn’t have to go into work, lucky me, so I basically kept the isolation going. I skipped my usual morning routine of checking emails and social media. Instead, I grabbed a book from the shelf – an old one I hadn’t touched in ages – and just started reading. No pressure to finish it, no deadline, just absorbing words. I even spent a good chunk of the afternoon just doing chores around the house, things I’d put off for weeks. Scrubbing the bathroom, doing laundry, really mundane stuff. But each task I finished felt like I was physically sweeping out the mental clutter too. It was like I was preparing my space, and my mind, for something.
Deep Dive: Embracing the Quiet (March 5-7)
By Tuesday, the 5th, I was actually starting to enjoy it. The initial discomfort of not being “connected” had faded. I felt lighter, somehow. I decided to really lean into this “loner” vibe. I put on some chill music, no lyrics, just instrumental stuff, and grabbed a pen and paper. I just started scribbling, not exactly journaling, more like free association. Whatever came to mind, I just wrote it down. It was messy, disjointed, but it felt good to just let thoughts flow without judgment. I didn’t look at a screen all day, except for a brief moment to check the weather. That was it.
- I cooked all my meals from scratch, trying out new recipes.
- I spent an entire afternoon sketching in a notebook, something I hadn’t done since high school.
- I took long walks around my neighborhood, really seeing things I’d always just rushed past.
- I even tried to meditate for a bit, which was a disaster, my mind just wouldn’t shut up, but hey, I tried.
Wednesday and Thursday, the 6th and 7th, were pretty much a continuation. I really dug deep. I cleared out old files on my computer that had been clogging it up for months. I reorganized my bookshelf. I even cleaned out my closet, getting rid of a bunch of clothes I hadn’t worn in years. Each physical act of tidying seemed to have a mental equivalent. I felt like I was stripping away all the extra layers, all the noise, all the things that weren’t really me. I remember thinking, “This is what it feels like to just exist, without all the outside pressure.” It was a weird mix of peaceful and a little bit unsettling, confronting myself like that. I found myself thinking about old memories, good and bad, things I usually push aside. I let them surface, just watched them pass by. No drama, just observation.
Coming Up for Air: The Re-Entry (March 8-10)
By Friday, the 8th, I felt a shift. Not a desire to jump back into the fray, but a sense of having replenished my reserves. My mind felt clearer, sharper. I actually picked up my phone, but instead of scrolling, I just deleted a bunch of old apps I didn’t use. Then I checked some messages, mostly just brief replies. I eased back into it. The quiet hadn’t felt like a burden anymore; it had become a comfort, a really necessary one. I spent the evening just reading again, but this time I picked up a book that actually required some thought, something new.
- I sent a few texts to close friends, just checking in, nothing deep.
- I planned out my meals for the next week, feeling organized and ready.
- I actually made a list of small projects I wanted to tackle, things I’d been putting off, now with a clear head.
Saturday and Sunday, the 9th and 10th, felt like a gentle transition. I met up with a friend for coffee on Saturday afternoon, and I actually felt like I was present, really listening, not just waiting for my turn to talk. The conversations felt richer, more meaningful. Sunday, I did a bit of light work on my computer, but it felt different. It was focused, intentional, not just reactive. I wasn’t getting pulled in a million directions; I was choosing what to engage with. That week, the “week of the loner” for me, it wasn’t about being lonely. It was about finding a different kind of connection, a connection with myself that I hadn’t even realized I was missing until I stepped away from everything else.
