Modern Life is Rubbish

Look around you. Listen. Do you have time? Can you concentrate? God knows I’ve tried. It’s always been there, since the dawn of time; it seems to be peaking. A growing sense of malaise, dissatisfaction and ultimately complete detachment. Some call it “disembodiment”. Others “disenfranchisement”. Whatever you choose to call it, we are down in it.

I find our current situation surprisingly similar to Orwell’s “1984”. Fictitious enemies are created from scratch, or minor concerns are completely overblown; I’m so tired of hearing “patriarchy” that I almost feel sorry for them. The word is losing its meaning. What – who – do they mean? New doublespeak is taking over – woke, soy boy, troll, Simp Nation, toxic masculinity, toxic feminism, “learn to code” and the pronoun battle all come to mind. All doubleplusgood, it seems. No one seems too bothered by it; everyone throws these terms around freely. As history demonstrates, the first step to colonizing and controlling any group of people is to change and control their language. Once that is achieved, you have a good base camp for attacking their beliefs – and eventually their history. Ultimately, they cease to exist, except within the narrow confines dictated (allowed) by the oppressor.

Who are the oppressors now? They used to be a clear and present danger – corrupt governments, greedy corporations or the military industrial complex (ah, those were the days). Now oppression seems more diffuse, and confusing. You never know where it will come from. You’ll never see it coming. There are no rules – not that I can find. Can you live your life the way you want to, or share your thoughts freely? In some social media circles, and in particular the ones that should be open to sharing and civilized debate, I found you cannot even describe yourself using terms of your choice; you are wrong. I’m afraid this is an example of the oppressed repeating the mistakes of their oppressors. This cycle goes on and on, amplified by social media.

It seems to me that history is being re-written to suit the current social trends. Even the most minor culture I grew up with is now suspect and adapted accordingly, by people who do not understand or relate to its original context and meaning. Far from being democratic, or at least logical, there isn’t any room for differences in opinion, let alone dissent. In the current climate, rudeness is championed, opinions are preferred over facts and the loudest, most obnoxious squeaky wheel gets all the oil. Credentials are meaningless – even suspect. As a result, despite all our technological advances, I don’t think we’re any better off than any other decade I’ve lived through. In fact, I think things have gotten worse. However, there are signs that people are fed up. Some are doing something about it. Whether or not their course of action is for the best remains to be seen.

Aside from obvious outward signs of social unrest (e.g. Yellow Jacket protests in Paris, Brexit), coupled with vocal concerns over increasing inner city homelessness,  there is a marked, widespread preoccupation with apocalyptic culture – zombies, plague, alien invasion, renegade robots, digital dystopia and totalitarian regimes etc. I think widespread dissatisfaction has provided fertile ground for highly regimented and exclusory “subcultures”, such as Antifa, SJWs, Incels and MGTOW – to name a few. Often, these subcultures battle each other for relevancy and media attention. You could argue they are the ultimate expression of free will; people joining together with one thing in common – shared dissatisfaction. You could also argue that they are the ultimate threat to free will, in that they ruthlessly control speech and thought within their ranks and seek to quickly silence opposing views. Maybe they’re a bit of both. I like to think that I have some empathy and understanding for people who join “communities” like those. I like to consider myself a neutral observer (originally, I accidentally typed “neural observer”, which I quite like). Call me a fence sitter, but I like sitting on fences; that’s where all the action is. I have a great view of the left and right – provided I can keep my balance. As you can imagine, I have developed my own unique response to contemporary life.

My Own Private Detachment

My response is: turn off, tune out, drop out. I’ve left most Facebook groups. I’ve blocked countless YouTube videos. I’m on the verge of giving up on social media for good. I dipped my toes in, but chose not to dive. A canary in a coal mine, I caught a whiff of it. Where’s the exit? Maybe my own private detachment is ultimately a survival mechanism. Maybe I’m better off. Actually – do I need to manage it? My detachment could be a healthy sign of my strong, independent nature, living life the only way I know how. But I sense that many people haven’t reached the point I’m at, so let me offer a few words to fill the potholes on that long, bumpy road towards some semblance of personal peace and happiness.

During a recent talk with someone in the know, I brought up the topic of detachment – again. At that time, I believed that my main hurdle was an extreme sense of detachment. Despite everything I have seen and done in my life, when I walk through busy city streets, I look around and feel no sense of belonging. I am merely an observer, moving from point A to point B without incident. I have no idea what everyone else is doing around me. I cannot walk in their shoes. I am only aware of my own thoughts and feelings.  According to my mother, I’ve been stuck with these feelings since birth; there is no one event responsible. However, I sense others feel detached too, perhaps to different degrees. Maybe theirs is a different type of detachment – responsive in nature. Maybe they can pinpoint the time and place when they decided they didn’t belong anymore, that they’d had enough. Maybe it was a series of events that lead up to it. Me – I had no choice. I was stuck with it.

I asked someone in the know how he felt when he walked out into the street. Sometimes, basic questions like that, that I usually never think to ask, are the most illuminating. He said he felt a part of everything. I definitely don’t; I imagine many people would struggle to understand this. It’s like I’m floating by – dream like. I move in and out of the crowds like an observer from another planet, generally avoiding eye contact and hoping not to draw attention to myself. Someone once told me I walk with purpose and intent. I guess that is what I’m doing every time I leave the flat. I never venture out to find comfort in joining the crowds; I have some goal in mind that I must achieve without pausing or being interfered with.

I once considered “severe detachment” my “main hurdle”. Now, at a comfortable age, I feel (somewhat) content with my detachment. I am learning to live with it. It no longer bothers me, because I understand it now – I accept it. The more I research it, and speak to professionals, the more I understand myself – and accept it with confidence. This is where I apparently have a key role to play. I’ve been told that my sense of detachment is common among many people; however, unlike me, some cannot leave their homes because of it. So, I’ve been encouraged to write this; to expand more on detachment and what I have done to help combat it – or perhaps more accurately, accept it, since I have never conquered it. Going out every night of the week, martial arts, joining clubs, Meetup groups, DJing in clubs – all admirable efforts, but my detachment, the feeling I just didn’t belong, would always come back to haunt me. Because it will never go away, all I can do is manage it – divert its energies. But do I need to manage it? Sometimes – yes, I do; society dictates it. So, here are my tips for dealing with detachment, while (hopefully) preserving a sense of dignity, self-worth and individuality.

What follows is a holistic approach which I slowly, carefully – and perhaps subconsciously – developed to help me cope with severe detachment. Hopefully, you will find some of it useful, or perhaps be motivated to develop your own unique coping mechanisms.

Patience

This will undoubtedly disappoint, but I think the thing that has helped me the most is time. It has taken me half of my life to get to this point. I think that’s something to keep in mind; while everyone works at their own speed, accepting your sense of detachment, becoming confident with it, may take years. If I can do it, you can! To give you some perspective, the first time I recall severe detachment was in grade three. Everyone had to dance to horrible disco music – Abba, Boney M – but I steadfastly refused. I was embarrassed when my friend gave in and danced. I held out. Everyone was insisting I dance; asking why I wouldn’t. I felt singled out. My firm refusal was a topic of discussion for weeks afterwards. To this day, I hate “Rasputin” and despise Abba. That was my first taste of detachment – social isolation. While it was clearly based on one seemingly innocuous event – refusing to dance to disco – my first feeling that something was wrong deeply wrong came in grade six. I recall a trip to a neighbouring school, where we were to start grade seven the following year. Everyone broke out into social groups that I had not seen before. They seemed to know all the other kids at this school. But me – me I stood awkwardly off to the side, unsure of what was happening, feeling left out, helpless and disliked. I got an ominous feeling. I felt it was going to be very difficult for me at this new school, and I was right – it was horrible. Although I was always good academically, it was the beginning of my long, difficult slide down into anxiety, stress and lack of confidence. But the feeling wasn’t restricted to school.

Sometime in my late twenties, living in Vancouver, I realized that I was drifting apart, floundering. I either drifted away from my circle of friends, or they drifted away from me – or a bit of both.  It got much worse in my thirties, culminating in a “midlife crisis” in my mid thirties, and did not disappear when I spent most of my forties in a relationship. Now fifty, I’m coming to terms with it.

Goals

Like Jason and the Argonauts, I like to set out with a particular goal in mind. Sense of purpose makes up for my lack of overt social interaction, and helps mask my detachment – if that were needed (can people actually tell we are detached as we walk along?). I’m always on a quest, hunting for something unique – not just any old thing. With a goal to focus on, I find it helps alleviate my sense of detachment, as I make my way through the crowds.

Safe Places

Before I go into any establishment, I may walk by a few times, hoping not to draw attention to myself. I’ll gaze in through the windows and peer into open doors. Is it too crowded? Is the music horrible? Is the décor off? Is it too trendy? Is it the “wrong crowd”? It has to be just so, or I won’t enjoy it there. Once I find a place I like, I keep coming back. I like to have safe places I can return to, to get away from the crowds. My hope is that they never change. I’m devastated when they close down or change hands, and if I have a bad experience at one, I may not return. Usually, I use the three strikes rule – make three mistake and you’re out! Sometimes, it helps to research in advance, read reviews, and get an idea where you might like to visit. Walking in the door is not a sealing a contract.  You don’t have to stay; if you don’t like it – the lighting, the sounds, the smell, the crowd, the sofas, the beer – then quietly turn and leave.

The People Watcher

A lot of people I meet profess to love people watching. They sit in cafes for hours, plying their trade. Why not do the same? I have found that, while I feel detached, I enjoy watching people. I begin to see patterns in behavior. I make unique observations. Actually, the detachment creates a critical distance necessary for good observation of social interactions. At times, I feel like an anthropologist, observing some newly discovered race. It’s interesting to note how people are similar to animals. See if you can spot the alpha male, the hungry pack or the attention seeker signaling for a mate.  Of course, we are animals, but I’m always surprised how many don’t know that we belong to the animal kingdom. If you bring along a note pad, or a camera, you can make all sorts of interesting observations; maybe even get some ideas for stories, books, scripts or inventions. Once you’ve accepted you are a “people watcher”, in a way you have joined a group. You have a purpose being there, and feelings of detachment start to slip away. This is something I had to gradually get used to. It took me a long time to get up the courage to go out alone and just watch those around me, without interacting. Now I do everything alone – clubs, movies, travel. I prefer it and I feel that I am doing something useful – observing and documenting.

https://whitehotmagazine.com/articles/cartier-bresson-peter-fetterman-gallery/2152

Functional Roles

It helps alleviate feeling s of detachment if you have a functional role – not a social one. For example, if a friend asks you to help out with an event, be the photographer, journalist, DJ or help set everything up. I’ve found that I prefer doing practical things in social situations; they keep me so busy that I do not have to talk to other people. Having a predetermined function, however, gives me a focus, and alternative to having to engage in chit chat, boosting my confidence and self worth. Whatever your hobby or passion is, think how you can use it to keep yourself busy in a social situation – to make your contribution. You may find that other like-minded people will take the initiative and start up conversation with you, if that’s what you’re after. That is my preference – that others initiate conversation; if it is up to me, I’ll stand alone all night and not say a word.

Stop Trying to Guess What’s on People’s Minds

Often, my feelings of detachment coincide with a deep seated paranoia; I’m afraid I’m being observed and judged. My mind plays out the worst-case scenarios – what someone might say or do to me. This sort of thinking prevents me from going out. However, if you’re in the same boat, remember: there are two types of worries. Take them to “worry court” to judge which one they are. There’s logical worries about something that is scheduled to occur in reality (these are things we can actually prepare for), and there’s unrealistic worries that are a complete product of our overactive imaginations and super egos. My detachment often coincides with unrealistic worries. I imagine them in fantastic detail, to the point that my body reacts to them as if they are real: breathing, heart rate, sweating, trembling, flashes of anger. However, they do not exist outside of my head. Oxygen kills them.  Once you’ve thought about a worry, analyzed it carefully, it may well lose its power, allowing you to move on.  This has helped me deal with something that has plagued me all my life and put me at odds with friends and associates: I need to stop worrying about what people might be thinking.

The key is to realize that you aren’t a psychic. Would you want to be? I’m a fan of Fortean Times and, although I’m very interested in the topic, I don’t think there is enough science fact supporting psychic abilities. So, try your best not to worry what people are thinking, as you walk along. Maybe whatever they are thinking isn’t as deep, unique or original as what’s going through your mind. People go out for social reasons, to be a part of it; if you come to realize that your role is different, it will help you make your way through the throngs.

Badges

People with certain interests wear badges; it’s a signal to others that they share their admiration. For example, I have always worn a lot of tour shirts – A LOT! I’m somewhat infamous for it. Some people (girlfriends) find it a bit much. I’m afraid I’m an eternal teenager. My excuse is that, especially in the 80s, music was my life; my identity developed alongside my musical interests. In retrospect, those shirts were my badges; my bold statements of intent – this is what I like and I’m proud of it!  I recommend walking around wearing some apparel that displays your special interest. In my case, I have had people comment: “nice shirt”, “I like your shirt” or even scream out of a bus: “Depeche Mode!!” It’s actually really fun to be walking along and suddenly a complete stranger comments on your shirt. I recall walking down a very narrow, Dickensian street in Rochester; I was wearing my Sparks tour t-shirt. Suddenly, this large tour bus started towards me, horn blaring. I panicked, thinking I had to get out of the way, but then I realized the driver was motioning towards me. He was pointing at his chest (meaning my shirt) and giving me a thumbs up! I bet Sparks aren’t aware of their cachet amongst bus drivers. I live for random things like that. They take the edge off my detachment. Random events are my way in; my entry into a brief social interaction – and it’s fun. On the other hand, I recall my grade 10 geography teacher watching me come down the hall with my Depeche Mode t-shirt. He roared: “Depeche Mode? What’s that – some kind of dessert?” Can’t win ‘em all.

Some shirts I wore in the 80s.

Check the Listings

Even though I feel detached, which has often been the cause of endless stress and anxiety, I’ve always avidly searched the alternative media to circle events that interest me. The act of circling events fills me with confidence and optimism. There is always the hope that I will find some like-minded individuals there, thus alleviating my detachment. Having lived in Windsor, Vancouver, Toronto, New York and London, I’ve regularly scanned and circled The Georgia Straight, eye, Now, Exclaim!, The Voice and Time Out (before it became a useless collection of ads). Sometimes, it’s reassuring to think that a group of people have planned an event that seems tailor made to meet your needs and interests.

Meetup Groups

I believe that many of my feelings of detachment stem from my own unique modus operandi. As I pass through social spaces, I just don’t have the same goals and intentions as everyone else, I guess. This often leads to misunderstandings, disagreements and even some ugly episodes – almost physical confrontations. When you enter a social space, there are unwritten rules of how to behave, how to look, what you should be doing and why. Otherwise, people are likely to become suspicious, dismissive or even angry at you. Unfortunately, owing to horrible experiences in high school – where they first try to hammer you into a hierarchy, as if your peg should remain in their allotted hole for the rest of your life – some social hierarchies remain alien to me. They never took. Thus, I have felt the full brunt of misunderstandings. However, if there is only one reason to be in a social space (my favorite excuse is photography) there is a Meetup group to match it. If you’re anxious about venturing into social spaces, or are tired of being detached from the social reality around you, you should look into a Meetup group that matches your needs and interests. It’s reassuring to meet others with the same outlook and hurdles as you have; it is a mutual opportunity to share feelings of detachment, and work on managing them, so you can enjoy the best life possible.

Go Vintage

I do not like contemporary shops – the lights, the horrible music, unengaged staff (staring into mobile phones), dull clothing that passes for trendy, the smell of the perfume counter. I prefer charity shops, used vinyl, used books, vintage, boot sales, yards sales, garage sales and flea markets. For me, these are much more than just a shopping experience, and I’m not necessarily there just to but something. They stir memories and a sense of comfort. Unlike impersonal, contemporary, expensive goods designed for the latest trend, the items on sale once belonged to someone. Perhaps the person selling them has some special interest in them. Perhaps you can share that with them, if only for a moment. In addition, shopping experiences like this have a less corporate, more individualized feeling. You’re less likely to be deluged by horrible fluorescent lighting or noisy teenagers. In shops like these, my purchases mean something to me, above and beyond an egotistical need to display what I have bought. Thoughts and meanings attach themselves to objects. It’s nice to inherit some of their history, or rekindle a piece of my own – something I had when I was young, that I remember like it was yesterday. A quick transaction like this beats being 100% detached and, in the past, has made my day.

Diary, Journal or Something to Read

I like to keep multiple journals on hand. At different points in my life, I have kept dream journals, field journals (for work), diaries and “books of thought” – ideas for stories, scripts etc. If I’m going somewhere, I feel comfortable having a journal and a pen with me. Invariably, I keep them in my bag or rucksack. I do not seem to be able to go anywhere without a bag full of stuff. I feel confident and prepared, knowing I have reading materials and something to write on, should I stop somewhere for a drink or food. Maybe, subconsciously, the rucksack – formerly used when I was a student, now used for work – makes me feel busy; I have work to do, which helps alleviate feeling s of social detachment.

If you are heading out alone, and want to have something to do (in place of socializing) that does not attract undue attention, then I advise planning ahead: have one or two things in your bag to help you pass the time. I find journals are great because they help organize my thoughts and bring them into actuality. Whatever goes in there eventually gets used, or gets accomplished. Sitting writing, even though I am detached from the social exchanges around me, gives me a sense of purpose and pride.

Observational Comedian

When you’re wandering through the throngs, it helps to have a healthy sense of humour. It’s a coping mechanism that has helped me time and time again. Sometimes, what I see or hear ends up in a short story, or becomes a humorous anecdote, should I ever have the occasion to share it. If you set yourself up as an “observational comedian”, you’ll find it easier; you have a role to play, even though those around you (probably) aren’t aware of it.

Sometimes, random things are said or done that are humorous, but you can also go searching for places and situations where humor may be found. Sometimes, it’s not that obvious. For example, the parade is probably not nearly as interesting as some of the characters lining the streets. Have a look around; you may get some humorous photos. A large, loud group of people at a wedding are not nearly as interesting as a person seated alone, looking like they just swallowed a carton of sour milk. So, to help you accept your detachment, pretend you’re a comedian, visualize doing some stand up based on what you have seen, or envision a sitcom etc. Detachment won’t consciously bother you as much, if you cherish the absurdities of everyday life!

https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/seinfeld-is-modern-comedys-biggest-influence.html

Improv

Something I’ve started recently, to challenge myself and improve interpersonal skills, is an improvisational comedy workshop. I’m LOVING it! I find it is a safe environment to make mistakes and further develop team work skills. It reduces feelings of detachment by tapping into deep, creative impulses – shared by all. Specifically, a “mind melding” group activity got everyone thinking on the same wavelength, in a fun way.  I highly recommend this.

Martial Arts

One thing I have struggled with my entire life is living in the moment. I never felt a part of things and I was extremely hard on myself – my own worst critic. I used to try and force myself to stop being so detached, but it never seemed to work as planned. People around me appeared happy, content and gregarious, but in the same conditions I just could not manage it. As I mentioned before, it takes time to develop a system to manage social detachment – and a lot of trial and error. First, you have to realize you have the problem; then you set about doing something about it. My involvement in martial arts was a key step in the right direction.

I’d always been fascinated in martial arts (the topic will be expanded upon in a future post) and, after joining Taoist Tai Chi and some Aikido classes, it was reaffirming to read that martial arts are great for living in the moment. You can’t be detached and practice any form of martial art; you have to be in the present, ready to act, following specific, rigorous techniques. It didn’t take long for me to start feeling better – more confident. Not to mention it is fantastic exercise; the stretching alone helps manage stress and anxiety. Currently, I love Muay Thai.

Since there are several martial arts, you can experiment and find out which is best for you. I recommend looking them up on YouTube and following some simple introductory lessons; that’s what got me into Muay Thai. This will cost you nothing and you do not have to leave the house. If you like it, you can take the next step – which I will do with Muay Thai training – and visit a dojo (a gym where you learn) to see if you like training in that regimented social space. Dojos tend to be very controlled, with routines and practices you follow every time, so some people may feel more comfortable there; there are not as many random, surprising social interactions as there are in reality. Many dojos offer free visits, even some free lessons to see how you like it; I intend to take advantage of some free introductory lessons for Muay Thai. It is not in a dojo’s best interests to keep students on if they are not happy. Only a disreputable dojo would keep you on just to get your money; I’ve never had that happen. If you don’t like practicing with others, you could pay extra for private lessons, or learn at home; there are complete martial arts courses available on line.

Now, you can’t practice martial arts in any old social setting; that’s restricted to the dojo. Instead, it is something that gradually changes your overall mindset when you are in various social situations; it makes you more alert and aware of the flow of things. You will become more confident that you can manage difficult social interactions (e.g. aggression and threats) should they occur. However, you can do some martial arts style stretches, even while seated. Which brings us to some techniques that are, shall we say, more subtle and less obvious in social spaces.

Body Scan, Stretching and Counting

Let’s face it – commuting in London is a nightmare for everyone. Normally, I really enjoy train travel; in fact, I prefer it. With no bumps or start-stops, and a constant path each time, it can be really relaxing to watch the landscape roll past your window. However, noisy, crowded trains – especially with antisocial behavior – can easily ruin my morning routine, increasing my stress and anxiety and basically destroying the day before I’ve even arrived at work. If I find myself seated somewhere without the option of moving away from negative stimuli, I make the best of it using body scan meditation.

Body scans are powerful and wonderful visualization techniques that can be practice in any social space without attracting too much attention. I find they really help me feel “in the moment”, reducing stress and anxiety. In fact, when I open my eyes after a scan, the colours seem more vibrant; I can feel my breathing and circulation improving. Luckily, free body scan techniques are readily available as apps and on YouTube.

However, I have my own method. Have you seen the classic sci fi film “Fantastic Voyage”? It left a huge impact on me when I was young. So, what I do is envision moving through my entire circulatory, respiratory and skeletal systems. I start at the top of my head, envision a glowing energy, and then move down through every vessel, nerve and joint. I do it slowly and meticulously, visually where I am in great detail. By doing this, I am placing myself “in the now”, thus relieving stress and anxiety. I find it very helpful.

Stretching is something else I do every day, especially when seated for a long time. Tension builds up in social situations, so it helps me relieve the negative effects on my body. Once my body is loose, I feel much freer and confident, as I walk through social places. I have a series of stretches that I do; some I can do seated on public transit, waiting in line or in a more private place just off to the side of the crowds. My stretches are based upon Tai Chi, Aikido and NHS web sites. Again, do some research and find the best combination for yourself.

The last thing I’ll recommend is a variation on counting – similar to “counting sheep” to help you fall to sleep. I find myself counting odd things – how many post boxes on one street? If you’re into numbers, you might want to apply something similar to get you involved in your surroundings. Many years ago, I was an avid fan of “Science International”, a Canadian science show hosted by Joseph Campanella. One episode left a lasting impression on me; they discussed how counting and visualization can relieve pain. They recommended you visualize a large “10”, then count down to 0, carefully visualizing each number. When you hit zero, you visualize what is bothering you in the very centre of the zero; then you visualize pulling out what’s bothering you. I found this somewhat successful with pain – visualizing a spike being slowly pulled from my head to get rid of a headache – but I find it is more useful to help relieve social anxiety and feelings of detachment.

Further Education

One way to reduce detachment is to enter a social space where everyone is there for the same, singular reason, so it is highly likely that shared interests brought them there.

In the past, I’ve done all sorts of night courses, workshops and further education. I always met people who I got along with. If you take a night class, beware the “know it all”; night classes always have one. The “know it all” is easy to identify. They shout out and try to correct the teacher. They jump on any opportunity to discuss themselves in detail, adding several minutes of irrelevant personal context to even the most mundane subject. Their sole purpose seems to be attracting attention to themselves and showing off their mighty intellect. You have to wonder – if they’re so smart, why do they need to attend classes in the first place? You’ll have to wear you’re “observational comedian” hat to help navigate through it; look around and see everyone rolling their eyes as the person goes on and on, wasting everyone’s time. Aside for the now-it-all, I’ve always enjoyed further education. I love coming up with new skills and learning new things and meeting like minded people. It is much easier to socialize when I’m with a group who is working on a project where I can make logical input, such as film making.

Spot the Celebrity

Nothing is more awkward than sitting next to people you know with nothing to say. If I had my way, I would say nothing at all, but – to be honest – this makes me feel guilty. I could relate well with all of my past fiends (and girlfriends), but ultimately there was a fork in the road. I’d make a wrong turn. Thus, I felt obligated to make them comfortable by supplying them with some social communication, otherwise I may suffer the standard comments: you’re quiet, you seem distracted, you’re off in space, where are you, what’s wrong, what’s on your mind? Provided the person you’re with has a sense of humour, I recommend a game of “Spot the Celebrity” – my own creation! Simply challenge the person you’re with to look around the social space for anyone who looks like a celebrity. While waiting for a flight in Heathrow (airports – anyone’s nightmare!) I spotted a perfect Peter Sellers circa 1960s. While waiting for a ferry to depart for Victoria (BC), a girlfriend and I spotted the entire cast of Apollo 13 – perhaps planning a film about a ferry journey that goes desperately wrong? You get the idea. Games like these play to certain strengths – visual intelligence, pattern recognition, long term memory and making connections between seemingly desperate situations.

Random Walks

I have been an enormous fan of surrealism, since my discovery of the movement back in my university days. Amongst the many things that fascinated me, and were strikingly similar to things I was already doing (perhaps subconsciously, to help me cope) was the surrealists’ random walks. Once you are confident enough, they will help you branch out from safe places and away from routes more travelled. They are more of an urban adventure than a forced attempt at socializing. Our imaginations are strong – use it to combat your feelings of detachment. You can develop your own random walks, or do what the surrealists did – pick something at random from a map, then walk towards it. I love looking at maps, to get an idea where to venture into. Sometimes, I just set out with a vague goal in mind, then wander aimlessly as the wind carries me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golconda_(Magritte)

Cosplay

I always loved Halloween. It was my favorite time of the year. I’d plan my costume months in advance. When I was wearing a mask, I felt curiously alive – a part of everything around me. I felt safe. I felt so free and confident – like a new person. Oddly, most people seem to enjoy the same sensation. Wearing a mask brings out something hidden in everyone. If everyone is wearing one, perhaps we feel more a part of things? While I don’t engage in the latest cosplay rage (maybe I should?), having lost my taste for Halloween costumes long ago, it seems to me this is an ideal activity for detached people to become involved in – one where they can become an integral part of the social event.

Know When to Walk Away

I’ve put a lot of effort into managing interactions within social spaces – to find and maintain my comfort zone. Oddly, leaving that comfort zone can be a huge source of anxiety for me – more so than originally taking a chance and having a seat somewhere. How do I leave without people reading something into it? How can I leave quickly and quietly without incident? Do I have everything? Will I return? Do they want me to? Leaving is an art form, but once I’ve done it, the sense of relief is massive.

Generally, I am immediately aware that I am uncomfortable, but – except in extreme cases – I am unwilling to complain. Perhaps some noisy people seat themselves next to me, the entire establishment becomes too noisy, I hear or see something that turns me off, lighting is adjusted, management asks that I move seats, slow service or I am just plain bored. I think asking to be seated elsewhere is rude, even though it was probably rudeness that made me want to move in the first place! I can’t imagine moving seats away from noisy people only to have them watch me across the room – meal ruined. I think it is best to leave before things deteriorate too much, thus putting you off social spaces altogether. Like a band playing their last song of the night, you want to go out on a strong note. If, although feeling detached, you’re comfort zone has taken a hit, I think it is best to politely move on. Trying to weather the storm will leave you with no comfort zone at all. Remember, NO ONE goes to a social place to be annoyed and made to feel uncomfortable, so you should not put up with it. Have a contingency plan – another place to go to.

Depending on my reason for leaving, I may never return to a social space, or I may give it the benefit of the doubt and try it again on another day or time. However, I always use a “three strikes, you’re out” rule; I won’t return if there have been three off-putting incidents, regardless of what everyone else thinks.

In Conclusion

If the root cause of detachment is shared, understanding begins and paranoia diminishes. Writing this has been an important first step in that direction. It was an interesting experience; it’s difficult to sit down and think what you do every minute, every day – perhaps subconsciously – to help you deal with reality. From one lone traveler to another, hopefully these tried-and-true, time honored techniques will help you navigate the sometimes surreal, and constantly shifting, contemporary social constructs. I don’t want you to go through half your life like I did. While they’re not perfect, techniques like these have helped me deal with my extreme detachment. I suppose I have a unique brain, generally coupled with a combination of logical approaches, creativity, unique problem solving and pattern recognition – or so I’m told. I guess I should be using my unique approaches to help manage feelings of detachment, so I can contribute positively to society and navigate through the chaos towards happiness and fulfillment. Hopefully, you can too.

https://reviews.filmintuition.com/2009/02/blu-ray-review-being-there-1979.html