NONLONERS BORROW A term from Jung and call us introverts. They think it makes them sound intelligent to say so.

And yet what has been learned can be unlearned.

We who hate ourselves believe we are always wrong. We believe that our every thought, word, want, and deed is incorrect, insulting, barbarous. We so believe this that we beg forgiveness not just after every thought, word, want, and deed but during and before. We do this because we want everyone to know we know how wrong we are, how bumbling and ignorant and rude. We do this because we want them to know we know they know.

Pain is pain, however it begins. And however you got here, one thing is for sure: your self-loathing is not your fault.

Loners live among the mob, so the mob mistakes us for its own, presuming and assuming.

Is that what they think, then? That loners have no friends?

Writers’ closest companions are inside their heads.

Your participation is now optional.

They say isolation drives you crazy. Sure it does – when you can’t get enough of it.

Is socializing all that great? Riots are socializing. Arguably, more damage is done and time wasted in company with others than alone.