the importance of friendships

[andyjohnsonman]

So I have always been an extrovert with many close bonds and friendship groups. Over the last few years since getting into actualized content, I have become more introspective and have been spending the majority of my time alone reading, meditating or being mindful of thoughts. I remember it was Leo's lifestyle minimalism video where he said about friendships being the icing on the cake and to get the foundations right first. However over the last year I have really isolated myself which is fine but when I go on social media it gives me the impression I am missing out. I suppose the question is as happiness and fulfilment is what most people are seeking how important are friendships and have I gone too far the other way by isolating myself from these? If you think of monks or enlightened beings meditating in a cave they dont have any friendships but theres something in the back of my mind telling me I should be more sociable and being a lone wolf isn't my authentic self.

[ivory]

You can become depressed in isolation. I know from experience. Relationships are necessary for a basic level of mental health. When you start to feel lonely or sad more often than not you have gone too far in your solitude.

[YaNanNallari]

3 hours ago, andyjohnsonman said:

but when I go on social media it gives me the impression I am missing out

Maybe it would make you happier, at that moment. Will it be the end all be all, the ultimately fulfilling realization? It won't, it doesn't have to be. So friends and all, they can make you happy to a degree. We are human after all and have habits built into us to avoid loneliness. After some time however, you start to see how happiness can come from within too and the rush of joy that friends bring will not be something you need as much. So when it comes to the question of this, Leo for example this here: 

 

Edited December 19, 2018 by YaNanNallari

[xoxoxwillxoxox]

Yeah, don't isolate yourself too much if it doesn't feel right. Living alone in a cave isn't for everyone. I've tried longterm isolation, it sucks. Idk how they do it. I've also gotten lost in "forcing" myself to do things for the sake of "spirituality." Then I realized I was just being neurotic. True spirituality is often the path of least resistance.