Read on Twitter
as we shelter in place (STAY HOME, PEOPLE!), i’m going to share one of the only lessons i’ve ever learned from reality tv.
a thread
a thread
my mom and i really like watching “alone,” a show that takes people and basically throws them into the wilderness to live alone by themselves for as long as they can.
if you watch enough seasons, you start to notice that they all follow a similar arc...
if you watch enough seasons, you start to notice that they all follow a similar arc...
the first hurdle involves contestants settling in, ensuring they have access to food, water, and shelter. anyone who can manage that usually makes it through the first few weeks just fine.
after the initial adjustment period, most contestants feel pretty good. some even get cocky. “i could do this forever,” they brag. but inevitably, something gives. after a month or two (it varies by season) nearly all of them run into a wall—and hard.
people miss their families. they are cold. they are sick of eating seaweed and limpets. the bears won’t stop bothering them. they wonder what brought them out to the middle of nowhere in the first place and question whether they should just tap out and go home.
getting through that period of doubt and frustration almost always comes down to whether or not contestants can pivot mentally, transitioning from “i’m here to survive” to “now that i’m here, how do i thrive?”
some contestants make musical instruments out of things they find in the forest, then make up stupid songs. a few have built boats. others tell stories to the camera, make jokes, or start silly projects just to keep themselves busy.
the point is this: isolation is hard. staying healthy and stable isn’t just a physical task; it’s an emotional one, too. big, beefy, military-type dudes on the show routinely break down because they weren’t prepared for the mental toll.
as i hunker down at home, i’m trying to remind myself to learn from their experiences. so i try to do things that give my days meaning. i got out my old banjo and tuned it up. i’m reading books. i’m reaching out to those close to me to say how much i love them.
if you’re struggling with isolation—or if you find yourself having a hard time down the road—try to cultivate the things that bring you joy. use them as a respite from the stress of these strange times and a source of strength to keep moving forward.
and remember: even when it feels like it, you are not alone. we’re going through this together. friends are a phone call away! being there for each other, and ourselves, is one of the best things we can do right now, no matter what else happens.
be well and stick together.
/end
be well and stick together.
/end
