Lately, you want to become a hermit crab, retreat into your shell, and avoid the outside world.
Maybe you’ve been cancelling plans more often, or the thought of socialising fills you with dread. While enjoying your own company is perfectly fine, if it’s starting to affect your mental and even physical health, you have to start paying attention. Here are a few red flags that you might be becoming a recluse.
1. You have a growing pile of unread messages.
It’s not just texts; your email inbox is overflowing, and your voicemail is full. You’ve started ghosting people, not out of malice, but because the thought of responding feels overwhelming. Even a simple “thumbs up” emoji feels like too much effort. The digital world feels increasingly distant, and you’re finding solace in silence.
2. “Going out” now means venturing to your garden.
Source: Unsplash Remember when “going out” meant pubs, restaurants, or even just a stroll in the park? Now, your garden (if you have one) feels like the ultimate adventure. You’ve become a master of making excuses to avoid social invitations, preferring the company of your houseplants to actual humans. Your once-favourite jeans now feel like a relic of a past life.
3. The delivery driver is your new best friend.
You know them by name, they know your order by heart, and you’ve perfected the art of receiving packages without making eye contact. Grocery shopping feels like a military operation, meticulously planned to minimise human interaction. Even the thought of a quick trip to the corner shop fills you with anxiety.
4. Your social battery drains faster than your phone.
Even a short conversation leaves you feeling exhausted. Small talk feels like an insurmountable challenge, and you find yourself longing for the sweet solitude of your own home. You’ve started declining invitations before they’re even extended, anticipating the energy drain that socialising will bring.
5. Your wardrobe consists mainly of pyjamas.
Why bother getting dressed when there’s no one to see you? Pyjamas have become your everyday uniform, and the thought of putting on “real clothes” feels like a monumental task. You’ve mastered the art of looking presentable on video calls, carefully framing your shot to hide the pyjama bottoms lurking below.
6. You’ve become an expert in all things home delivery.
Source: Unsplash From groceries to takeaway, you’ve explored every delivery app available. You know the fastest routes, the friendliest drivers, and the best times to avoid surge pricing. Your fridge is stocked with microwave meals and snacks, eliminating the need to venture out into the world for sustenance.
7. Your definition of “adventure” has drastically changed.
Remember when adventure meant spontaneous road trips and exploring new cities? Now, it’s binge-watching a new series on Netflix or trying a different flavour of tea. You’ve become a master of finding excitement in the mundane, creating your own little world within the confines of your home.
8. The mere thought of crowded places makes you anxious.
Whether it’s a busy high street, a packed pub, or even a crowded supermarket, the thought of being surrounded by people fills you with dread. You find yourself avoiding peak hours, choosing quieter routes, and even crossing the street to avoid oncoming pedestrians. You’ve become a master of social distancing, even before it was a thing.
9. You’ve started talking to your plants (and they’re starting to talk back).
Source: Unsplash Perhaps it’s the lack of human interaction, or maybe you’ve just become more attuned to nature. Either way, you find yourself having full-blown conversations with your leafy companions. You name them, share your secrets, and even catch yourself asking for their opinions on important matters. Don’t worry; your secret is safe with us.
10. You’ve mastered the art of online shopping.
Source: Unsplash Amazon has become your best friend, and your credit card statement reflects your love affair with online retailers. You’ve accumulated an impressive collection of impulse buys, from novelty socks to kitchen gadgets you’ll never use. The thrill of receiving a package is the closest you get to a social interaction these days.
11. You’ve developed encyclopaedic knowledge of your favourite TV shows.
You can quote lines, identify obscure characters, and even debate fan theories with the best of them. You’ve watched entire series multiple times, finding comfort in the familiar faces and predictable storylines. You’ve even started planning your day around your favourite shows, scheduling your meals and chores around the latest episode.
12. You’ve become a connoisseur of solitude.
Source: Unsplash You’ve discovered the beauty of silence, the joy of spending time alone with your thoughts, and the simple pleasures of doing absolutely nothing. You’ve created a sanctuary within your home, a space where you can escape the demands of the outside world and simply be yourself. While some may see it as isolation, you see it as an opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth.
13. You’ve started cancelling plans with yourself.
Source: Unsplash Remember that walk in the park you planned for yourself? Or that new recipe you were going to try? Yeah, those have been cancelled too. You find yourself making excuses even to yourself, preferring the comfort of your couch to any kind of activity. Even the simplest tasks feel like insurmountable challenges, and you’re starting to question your own motivation.
14. Your pets are your only confidants.
Source: Unsplash They listen without judgment, offer unconditional love, and never complain about your pyjama-clad lifestyle. You find yourself sharing your deepest fears and anxieties with them, knowing they’ll never betray your trust. They’ve become your furry therapists, providing a much-needed emotional support system in your self-imposed isolation.
15. The outside world feels like a distant memory.
You’ve lost track of current events, pop culture references fly over your head, and you’re starting to forget what it feels like to be part of something bigger than yourself. You find yourself longing for the days when you could go out without feeling overwhelmed, have conversations without feeling drained, and experience the world without feeling anxious.
16. You’ve become your own tech support.
From resetting your Wi-Fi router to troubleshooting your laptop, you’ve become a self-taught IT expert. You’ve watched countless YouTube tutorials, scoured online forums, and even mastered the art of talking to chatbots. You’ve become so self-sufficient that you’re starting to question whether you need human interaction at all.
17. You’re starting to worry that you might actually be a recluse.
Source: Unsplash If you’ve read this far and nodded along to most of these points, it’s possible that you’re indeed becoming a recluse. But don’t panic! It’s not a life sentence, and there are ways to reconnect with the world if you want to. Start small, take baby steps, and remember that you’re not alone. There are plenty of people who feel the same way, and there’s no shame in looking for help if you need it.
