Essay: staying sane in the city
Ways to recluse from the hustle and bustle.
Sanne Bolten
Bright lights, honking horns, and fast-paced street scenes are what I used to dream of. I must’ve pictured myself as a city girl a thousand times when I still lived in a teeny-tiny town. Now, ten years down the road, I am struck by what seems a paradox: I sometimes feel alienated in a bustling metropolis. Quite often I find the outside world overwhelming, if not suffocating. The smells, the traffic, the crowds of people, the seemingly utter chaos of the place. Dealing with daily hassles like getting past strangers who appear to be carrying the entire contents of their home (or ego) on their shoulder.
Even when I wander in an organized fashion, it feels like I rarely have a moment to myself. Ironically, my thoughts and I are not alone in this matter. Research has shown that city dwellers can be sensitive to urban stimuli and are prone to depression. For me, coming to terms with the city, meant rediscovering and reclaiming ‘alone time’. Something society tends to stigmatize; seclusion is often labeled an inconvenience, something to avoid. I have always found great comfort in solitude, on the contrary. Being alone has taught me to be resilient and willing to flow – with the day, with work, with whatever comes my way.
I believe that when you’re on your own, your brain allows space for deep thought, and makes room for self-discovery. Creating solo routines have greatly improved my well-being since living on my own. They have been my foremost stress coping mechanism, I daresay. So, how do I escape the commotion on my doorstep? By frequently switching my phone off and sticking to these five rituals. They're so easy, you don't need nobody else.
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