Withdrawing from the noise leads you down a path toward clarity.
Recently, at a party, I was told, “I need to get out more,” because I wasn’t aware of a local restaurant.
Do I?
At 61, I’m not looking to add many things to my life. It’s a better use of time to maximize what I already have.
I love to work out in my home gym, constantly trying to perfect techniques and routines, which takes up a lot of bandwidth.
My second favorite pastime is working in my garden. Growing food and flowers isn’t an idle pastime and takes up considerable resources.
Both of these pursuits are solitary endeavors. Communication with others is rare while undertaking them.
I came across a word I had never heard of the other day, Eremition.
It’s a rare or archaic term that means withdrawing into solitude, especially for religious or spiritual reasons.
If I ever got a tattoo (I won’t), I think I would get this across my back in big, dark, gothic letters.
When my battery depletes, engaging in solo hobbies like gardening or working out re-energizes me.
Being around new people or finding the latest place to eat does the opposite.
Not meaning to be Judgie, everyone charges their battery differently. To each his own.
My worst nightmare is networking events. I despise making small talk with strangers. I’m pretty sure if a networking event were on a cruise ship, I’d take my chances by jumping overboard at some point.
Returning to the original premise, I don’t need to get out more. I’m happy spending time with my new favorite word, Eremition, but thanks for your suggestion.
Speaking of unwanted opinions, Investors would do well to bring more Eremition into their personal finance hygiene.
One could do worse than becoming an investment hermit.
It is wise to avoid the herd mentality and base your investment choices on research and long-term goals rather than hype.
Solitude fosters reflection and long-term vision and helps investors avoid the temptation to trade their accounts frequently. Time in the market, not timing the market, is carved into the cave walls of any investment hermit worth their salt.
Hermits live, focusing on the essentials. This trait is a perfect analogy for keeping your portfolio simple with diversified low-cost index funds, which regularly trounce the performance of high-cost complex hedge funds over long periods.
Taking a step back from the world allows for clarity and recalibration. Applying this philosophy to your investments negates the need for constant monitoring, which usually leads to poor, emotionally driven choices.
Whether it’s Middle East Wars, Tariffs, or whatever else is not on 2025’s Bingo Card, investment decisions that are calm and thoughtful rather than reactive tend to result in superior long-term returns.
Embrace the spirit of Eremition!
Getting out more won’t bring clarity, discipline, and control to your personal and financial life.
The habits needed to arrive at this place lie inside your cave, not someone else’s.
