Do Solos Get Lonely?

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Do Solos Get Lonely?

Wild1 · Senior Member

G'day Solos,

I'm a bit concerned that without the garden, friends and house duties I might feel lost. I can imagine that a couple would always find something do or talk about on long winter nights but what about when youre alone.

I've tripped around some, and loved it and it never seemed lonely on my short adventures. But when your'e on the road for months at a time does it get lonely sometimes? When its too cold/windy/wet to go out and socialise with other GNs, what do you do? You can only watch so much TV and to tell the truth I don't like to watch the idiot box much anyway, I don't play cards or knit. Am I too young for this kind of life? Will I get bored and end up driving, driving, driving?

What are your thoughts?

pauline · Guru

Very wise words Rosie.................totally agree.

Sheba · Guru

You can be lonely in the middle of a crowded room. Rosie's right.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Solo Steve · Senior Member

I am lucky that I can spend a lot of time alone yet don't feel lonliness. I am not all that comfortable

in a crowd sometimes anyway. I started a blog and write some poetry and that keeps me busy most nights. I have met some great

people and quite a few GNs and there always seems to be Emails etc to read and reply to or I keep busy planning my next move.

I have TV and heaps of movies to watch but almost never do so. If I do feel a bit alone there is always someone around that

is good for a chat. You'll wonder why you asked this question in no time at all.

Steve

Happywanderer · The Master

I get more lonely at home than I do out on the road. Once behind the wheel I come to life and enjoy what comes next.

GaryKelly · Guru

Happy has a point there about loneliness being more of a problem at home than out and about. At home, you depend on company coming to your front door but when you're out and about, you can go to them. From the comments I read on these forums, GNs never seem to be short of company, even the solos. They're forever meeting up with each other. Some even fall madly in love! I have a personal preference for my own space, but I also relish a chat. Loneliness on the road is something I'm not worried about at all.

jetj · Guru

I enjoy my own company and I love the sense of freedom getting behind the wheel to go away gives me. No shortage of company out there I guess depending on where and how you camp. I agree loneliness is often a state of mind, not always related to people around you.

biggles · Senior Member

.. I agree with all said before me ..

I think loneliness and boredom are both states of mind .. If you can have a happy balance of those two, then you'll find a way forward ..

Jon

The dog lady · Guru

While I agree with those above who say that loneliness and boredom are a state of mind, it would be wrong to assume that we can always change the state our minds are in at will. I have not been bored since I was a teenager, but being lonely can be quite difficult. Luckily I have only felt lonely when living in my (previous) home in a town, and never when I am at my current home out on a bush block or when travelling. Loneliness for me only happens when I am surrounded by people who are not known to me and unapproachable. You can't very well walk up to a stranger's house and knock on the door just because you want company, but when travelling you can always approach other campers and I have found most are willing for a chat, and have often been invited to share their campfire or just bring a chair and drink and join in. Gardening has been one of my favourite pastimes for many years, but the body is becoming unwilling/unable, and now it can be frustrating to look at my yard and know I can't even dig a hole to put in a plant. But when travelling I am not faced with the frustrations of no longer being as strong as I used to be. And if there is really no-one to talk to (like at a sleepless 1.00am), there's always this forum! smile

billeeeeeee · Guru

Greeting Nutters , fruit loops , "What keeps an active mind wholly active",!!! ?????? I would love to reply to this ,"But"!!!!! We are sooo blessed, on the GN, to have, Rosie,( Gerty Dancer ) "The dog whisperer,,, She is so much more in tuned into Active minds , than I would ever be,, May I say this ,, Her, (Gertys) private message box, most days is in melt down,,,,,,,stay excited ppl,, lets enjoy life, its not forever,,, Billeeeee

halfpint · Senior Member

My dad used to tell us when we got bored to twiddle our thumbs

-- Edited by halfpint on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 08:24:51 PM

halfpint · Senior Member

Hello Steve, I can say the time goes so quick before I know it its time to go to bed. Where are you at the moment ??? I am housesitting in Kyabram, like it here, have you seen Ziggy ? Hope all is well with you as it is with me.

my van · Guru

The dog lady wrote:
While I agree with those above who say that loneliness and boredom are a state of mind, it would be wrong to assume that we can always change the state our minds are in at will. I have not been bored since I was a teenager, but being lonely can be quite difficult. Luckily I have only felt lonely when living in my (previous) home in a town, and never when I am at my current home out on a bush block or when travelling. Loneliness for me only happens when I am surrounded by people who are not known to me and unapproachable. You can't very well walk up to a stranger's house and knock on the door just because you want company, but when travelling you can always approach other campers and I have found most are willing for a chat, and have often been invited to share their campfire or just bring a chair and drink and join in. Gardening has been one of my favourite pastimes for many years, but the body is becoming unwilling/unable, and now it can be frustrating to look at my yard and know I can't even dig a hole to put in a plant. But when travelling I am not faced with the frustrations of no longer being as strong as I used to be. And if there is really no-one to talk to (like at a sleepless 1.00am), there's always this forum!

yep ... ! you have made a few good points I find people shoping are usually up for a chat espeially at a camping supplier

-- Edited by my van on Saturday 11th of May 2013 08:58:16 PM

baute · Senior Member

Wild1 wrote:
G'day Solos,
I'm a bit concerned that without the garden, friends and house duties I might feel lost. I can imagine that a couple would always find something do or talk about on long winter nights but what about when youre alone.
I've tripped around some, and loved it and it never seemed lonely on my short adventures. But when your'e on the road for months at a time does it get lonely sometimes? When its too cold/windy/wet to go out and socialise with other GNs, what do you do? You can only watch so much TV and to tell the truth I don't like to watch the idiot box much anyway, I don't play cards or knit. Am I too young for this kind of life? Will I get bored and end up driving, driving, driving?
What are your thoughts?

No you never get lonely, on a recent trip away I had to book into a caravan park where nobody talks to you because the happy hours at free camps were getting too much :) I am not much older than you but find those on the road are great and always willing to have a chat.

George · Veteran Member

Happywanderer wrote:
I get more lonely at home than I do out on the road. Once behind the wheel I come to life and enjoy what comes next.

I'll second that!

Esmeralda · Guru

I really don't get lonely - I live alone at home (with my cat - who I talk to all the time) and on the road I can be alone or join in with other travellers - it is up to me how alone you want to be. As for lonely - you can be lonely in a crowd just as easily as by yourself - in fact it is easier to be lonely in a crowd.

pawsoz · Senior Member

Yes it is much more lonely when one is not out there on the road I find. Although technically speaking I am on the road full time I am parked up in a friends driveway for a few months of work and so am doing the 9-5 rat race thing and it is awful - no one has the time to talk to you, in days gone by I would have struck up a chat with someone on the train but not now, they are all staing at and playing with the mobile phones or tablets!

I can honestly say it is very rare I ever feel lonely out on the road, although there are those times....a really good sunset, or similar or a good meal out or music event that it would be nice to have someone to talk to who shared the experiance, but I don't really class that as lonely.

annie

Bent Axle Bob · Senior Member

being alone and being lonely are two different beasties. Being alone is a physical thing. Being lonely is a state of mind. Once you accept the differences, both situations are more easily managed. I enjoy being alone and treasure the "self" time.Solving the loneliness is as simple as going for a walk and saying hello and smiling

jetj · Guru

Too right! Wise words.

my van · Guru

jetj wrote:
Too right! Wise words.

Yes this is why we have GN "meet up"

the. Next meet up is June 8 th to 15 th

bowlerbear · Senior Member

Where is the meet up in June occurring? I'm in Maryborough at the moment until next Wednesday getting car fixed then want to catch up with an old friend in Bundaberg then no idea where after that. Any suggestions?

Happywanderer · The Master

Chris, if you go into Get togethers you will see its not far from where you are now, Wongi from 8th - 15th

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Bowlerbear (Chris) - it is just around the corner from you - We are heading in that general direction after leaving here at Glebe Weir.

my van · Guru

jules47 wrote:
Bowlerbear (Chris) - it is just around the corner from you - We are heading in that general direction after leaving here at Glebe Weir.

hey Jules 47 what is the set up at Glebe weir

is it a good place to camp ?