Am I a hikikomori in my own country?!?!?
By Retara
Hikikomori (noun)(Japanese:引きこもり or ひきこもり(Lit. pulling inwards, being confined)): a person who has decided for whatever reason (be it health, mental health, social pressure, bullying, or something else) to remove themselves from social interaction and society. These people often do not leave their own rooms, but some only confine themselves to their homes. This should not be confused with a NEET which is a completely different thing we can maybe tackle.
Am I a hikikomori in my own country?!?!?
Well, the simple answer is no, for two main reasons. 1. I’m not in my own country, and 2. I’m still going outside to work.
“Then why did I ask that question?” you might ask. No, it’s not clickbait; it’s actually for a very different reason.
A while back, I spoke to some friends about how so many Japanese people choose to become Hikikomori. Yes, choose. Most hikikomori actually make the decision, even if there were outside circumstances involved. “What decision is that?” you might ask. The decision to “remove myself from social interaction for the betterment of society”, or simply “if I don’t go outside, everything will be better”.
In the past, we called them “social recluses” or just recluses. But these days it’s not as much a stigma. Sure, it can have negative effects on your mental and physical health, but it’s also easier to hide it from everyone.
While discussion how easy it would be to become a hikikomori in Japan with the help of online shopping, easy bill payments, and even remote work, we came to the conclusion that even in SA we could do it. Actually, we came to the shocking realisation that currently, it would be shockingly easy to completely withdraw into your own house in SA and not have to go outside at all.
To be honest, I think a lot of people have thought of doing just that, for a short time of course. Just think about it, disappearing into your house and not returning to society till you’re caught up with your reading list, or anime waitlist, or your unplayed games list.
Whatever drives you to seek solitude from time to time, always remember there are people willing to talk, and communities that share the same hobbies and interests. Just look around, this website is because of a shared interest in Japan and its culture.
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