October 29th is National Hermit Day. Give yourself permission to be a hermit and withdraw, go offline, and breathe.
Hermits
There was a time in my life where I aspired to be a hermit.
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.
