October 29th is National Hermit Day. Give yourself permission to be a hermit and withdraw, go offline, and breathe.
Hermits
Take the 29th and the following days to be offline. That would be good for your mental health.
There was a time in my life where I aspired to be a hermit.
Where’s Bob?
People who know me well are of the opinion I achieved that status. They know you can find me in my favourite summer place… alone, on a paddleboard, in the middle of Sylvan Lake. Or as Jocelyn laments, in the backroom of our house, head down working away at all hours of the day.
In the past, a hermit referred to someone who withdrew to a solitary place for a life of religious seclusion. In modern times, the term describes one who lives away from society, whether for religious or spiritual reasons, fear of crowds or a little peace and quiet.
Willard Kitchener MacDonald is Canada’s most famous hermit. MacDonald is popularly known as the Hermit of
Gully Lake, Nova Scotia. History records that MacDonald jumped a troop train and became a hermit to avoid conscription into the Canadian Army in 1944. He spent the next 60 years of his life in seclusion. There was a movie made about him and he’s got his own Facebook page even though he passed away in 2004.
Solitude
A hermit’s life may not be an appealing permanent lifestyle, but on Hermit Day, you can experience the benefits of solitude without living forever as a hermit. So turn off the phone, lock the door and take a break from your hectic life in peaceful seclusion.
Now you can read without interruption, take a nap, reflect on your life (or maybe just the past year), take a relaxing bath, play a game of Solitaire or do whatever it is that you don’t have enough time for in your normal, hectic life.
Whatever you do, whether it’s for spiritual purposes or pleasure, today’s your chance to do everything in solitude.
A Secluded Place
To celebrate National Hermit Day, find a secluded place to go and:
- Turn off your phone
- Turn off your computer
- Let your worries be free
- Rest and relax
- Enjoy your quiet time
- Read, write or draw
- Short Nap
Happy Hermit Day!
Do you like hermit life? Please join the conversation and post a comment below.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
Good Morning Pastor Bob. I’m definitely not a hermit. I would call myself an extroverted introvert. I am a very social person but, I also enjoy my solitude. Since, most of my jobs have entailed working with the public. So, in my “down time”, I enjoy not being with people. I need to get away from people, who are always asking questions or need my assistance somehow. I thought today’s story was interesting. I could never take myself off the social grid like this fellow chose to live. Too extreme. But, whatever floats your boat. That wouldn’t be a good lifestyle for me. Have a great week! Thank you for sharing that story with us. Happy Hermit Day! ❤️
Oh hermit Day – how am I just hearing about this ? I definitely ascribe to this philosophy at times, as much as I love people, being by myself is so wonderful at times.
I know that sometimes I can be surrounded by people but feel alone – it certainly takes me effort to be approachable – but have appreciated who I am and I have stopped making apologies for being quiet .
Happy Hermit Day !
Bravo, Lillian! Take your liberties on Oct. 29th
Hi Julie. You are an amazing extrovert! Bringing life to everything you are involved in. At the same time, respecting those who lean into hermit/introvert.