Is it normal to feel most isolated when in a crowd?

83% Normal
3 Comments

Just to proffer some context - yesterday I travelled into the city centre, as I had to buy some bits and pieces. (For those of you that live in London or are familiar with it, you'll be aware that Oxford Circus is pretty much a swarming hive of commerce, where even crossing the road is a logistical nightmare. Its name is appropriate.)

Well, it's occurred to me that it's when I am most among other people, that I feel the most abnormal/isolated. When in solitude, I'm not hyperaware of my appearance and actions; I can just exist with candour, without analysing my every nerve impulse. Good friends and family, too, present no issue at all, unless the circumstances are awkward or something. But when faced with swathes of people, I feel like a crooked tooth in an otherwise perfectly linear row of teeth.

I assume this hyperconscious state of being, wherein every movement feels a bit stilted. I feel alienated, abnormal. Embarrassed. You see, I have slightly low self-esteem, which I believe contributes to this effect. But it's not just that; even advertisements, billboards and shop fronts make me feel like an alien. I mean, does nobody else find the legions of grinning, pearly-toothed models odd? Does anybody else ever just stand back and think, "God, this is all really fucking weird and superficial"?

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83% Normal
Based on 12 votes (10 yes)
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Comments ( 3 )
  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    To be quite honest I prefer to be surrounded by dogs and cats.

    I have I live in Las Vegas, Nevada and a friend of mine who lives quite near Las Vegas Boulevard also known as "the Strip" is moving to a new apartment that is still near the Strip but closer to downtown. I've been helping her move, and it's a pain in the ass driving down there with all those damn pedestrians: tourists, locals and just plain old reprobates. There are so many jaywalkers in Las Vegas its not even funny.

    I grew up in Houston, Texas and people drive like absolute lunatics, but at least pedestrians knew not to jaywalk and we're very careful. Here people think nothing of walking right out into oncoming traffic. The further one gets from the touristy parts of town the better the jaywalking situation gets, but there are many fatal accidents between cars and pedestrians here and the majority of which are not the fault of the motorists.

    Additionally Las Vegas is full of douchebags, Sin City is in fact a bit of a douchebag Mecca of sorts. I live in a fairly affluent suburban area of town, and there are so many plastic faces. Las Vegas can be as superficial as the day is long. As far as I'm concerned it's quite easy to feel lonely in this place.

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  • Elixis
    8 years ago

    It can feel pretty jarring to be in a crowd; It's especially hard when it's paired with paranoia.
    I used to be really concerned with how I looked in a crows, because I always felt like someone could notice me at any moment and scoff if I blinked the wrong way. But as I become more comfortable with being alone, I found myself being more and more comfortable in a large group of people, and it greatly reduced the amount of stress I felt.
    But dang, those Black Friday crowds can be scary :P

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  • mlbryan44
    8 years ago

    I feel isolated when I am in a crowd of uncaring people otherwise it is fine.

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