[chantelles]

Yep. Though I am gregarious, I grew up very isolated with very little interaction even with parents and my biggest problem as an adult is remembering to make time alone for myself because if I do not I grow less patient with people around me. But I also know that many people need to always be with people and I wonder: am I a result of a strange/bad upbringing? So I have committed to spending time with people but there is nothing I love more than a week totally alone and my happiest memories are months where I lived completely alone. One trick for balance: living in countries where I do not speak the language is an excellent way to be around people but have peace.

[agent008t]

Have you tried going over to countries where you cannot even read the language? E.g. Korea, Japan? I found the experience very refreshing and surreal in a good way.

[chantelles]

Yep. In Russia - now I can read the letters but only with concentration. I want to spend more time in Asia. It really helps me notice the space reading takes up in my seeing and also, how important wonder is in fun. I spend so much time wondering what food I am buying, what is behind that door, what those people are protesting etc and that energy is like ... embers for creativity and makes it easier for me to admit that even when I can read it all, understand it all, I still really don't know anything much.