pri·va·cy n.
- The quality or condition of being secluded from the presence or view of others.
- The state of being free from unsanctioned intrusion: a person's right to privacy.
- The state of being concealed; secrecy.
I realized last night that privacy has become a foreign concept in my life. I get up in the morning because the cats are yelling and stepping on my head. I take a shower, and though I lock the cats out of the room, they continually throw their furry bodies against the bathroom door in an effort to open it, and scream incessantly. I walk to the bus stop, alone but not alone, since I live on a busy street and most drivers have a staring problem. I take a very full bus to work. I sit at work, watched by my coworkers who slyly monitor my computer usage. Mostly women work in my department, so there is always at least one other person in the restroom. Even at home, when I'm alone in the bathroom, the cats scream at me through the door, and SO is often lurking nearby because he somehow always needs to use it when I do.
I am by nature a rather private person. Sometimes I'd just like to be alone. Perhaps learning meditation would allow me to escape when I really can't.
So, what is the cost of privacy? Or the lack thereof? Sometimes I think buying a house would be worth it, because I'd require it to have at least two bathrooms, and perhaps another room I could call my own and retreat to. Houses, and moving, are both a bit pricey.
This is not to say I always want to be alone...just now and then, it would be nice. I love having SO's company, and the cats (when they aren't yowling), but I rarely have the opportunity to be by myself anymore. I spent a lot of time alone growing up, so it's a bit hard for me to continually live like this now. I admire those of you with children, because I know you rarely get time to yourselves! I don't know how you do it.
I wrapped most of my holiday presents last night! 
It's nice to have that done so far ahead of time. I have a lot of projects to get cracking on!
another reason for meditation
November 29th, 2006 at 05:13 pm
November 29th, 2006 at 05:58 pm 1164823134
I used to need a private room of my own. I used to call it the "Bat Cave" even though there isn't anything exciting in there. It's just a room for me to go and be alone for a while.
Might I suggest that as well? Even if it's your closet... although I personally think a small container garden is the best.
Privacy is essential for people who need it from time to time to balance from all the stress that is out there in life.
November 29th, 2006 at 08:06 pm 1164830760
November 29th, 2006 at 08:32 pm 1164832345
It's funny that you brought this subject up, becus just the other day i was musing on a little Xmas shopping trip i took with a new friend of mine. By the time we were driving back home, we'd spent a good chunk of time together, about 6 hours, and he wanted me to stay for dinner, but i just felt so exhausted, not necessarily in a physical way, but just that after "socializing" or yukking it up with someone for that length of time, i just want to chill and not have to interact. So i went home, hoping i hadn't hurt his feelings. I've noticed i hvae the same sort of reaction when spending time with other friends, too, i can only take so much together time and then i've had my fill.
November 29th, 2006 at 08:37 pm 1164832676
Well, it was, except I didn't understand myself about the need for "me time". Consequently, I would end up so fatigued that I would just shut out the world on the spot.
Nowadays, I try to listen to just how I feel and do what appears to be most comfortable to me. A while back, I decided that there was nothing wrong with being a quiet person. So long as it doesn't limit me, I would simply shut out the world brieftly when the need arised.
November 29th, 2006 at 08:45 pm 1164833115
I have one cat who is particularly talkative, and he's teaching the quieter one how to yowl. Sometimes it's cute, sometimes I want to muzzle him.
Yes, I need some time alone...perhaps I will retreat with my book behind closed doors tonight.
You know, it's nice to see that other people feel this way too. I've had friends who find my need for alone time bizarre.
November 29th, 2006 at 09:26 pm 1164835586
November 30th, 2006 at 02:33 am 1164853986
How's that for a place to unwind and read your books? Hehehehe.