Don, as you may recall, suffers from a malady we dubbed "Poliphobia" – namely, a "fear" of cities.
This is not a real phobia (an irrational fear), of course, but rather an intense dislike bordering on hatred of urban areas. "I didn't used to be this way," he says. Like me, he's spent many years living in – and even enjoying – urban environments; but the older he gets, the less tolerance he has for such settings.
For those not afflicted, this aversion is difficult to understand. But from the Eaton Rapids Joe blog comes this gem:
One of the reasons I dislike visiting cities is that I am no longer calibrated to them. I don't have a solid baseline of what is normal and what is not-normal.
YES!!! He gets it! It's not just us!
I remember vividly flying over New York city on my way to Buffalo. I wondered why would anyone live there? It looked much like your photo.
ReplyDeleteI too detest cities. That is why we chose to live as far out in the woods as we could. Praise Jesus for our 'space'.
ReplyDeleteWe live in a small town in Michigan, not by choice but by life happenings. This town of about 2k is big enough. When we plan our vacation trips out west, we choose routes that go around any big cities. Ex: St Louis, Denver, Indianapolis, you name em, we avoid them.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in New York City. As much as I love many parts of it, it really jangles my nerves these days. (Granted, I have Issues with nerves and stress etc.) Give me my peaceful quiet existence, at least as quiet as I can get with two beagles in the house.
ReplyDeleteWhen we go to the Spokane (220 miles round trip) it is mainly because that is where the specialist doctors are. Of course if we have to go I make it a point to also hit Winco and Chef's Store to stock up on anything we need. We also do not make this trip in the winter time because I have no idea how people in the city drive on snow. Now going into town (40 miles total) we usually limit to every 2 weeks unless one of us gets cabin fever but that usually does not happen. I buy enough milk for the 2 weeks and have other powdered for emergencies. I have just gotten to the point where even the town visit is something I wish to avoid. I enjoy it while it is happening because i am getting things done but other than that nope, home is where I want to be. God Bless All!
ReplyDeleteI've never cared for the bigger cities, preferring small towns and country life. I go when or if necessary but otherwise I prefer Ole Remus' adage: " Stay away from crowds"!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not just you. I think the longer one lives close to the earth and nature, the more our nervous systems adapt to a natural environment. I don't think this is just mental, I think it's a real physiological thing. My way-out secret theory is that it has to do with the frequencies we're exposed to. ERJ's term 'calibrated' is an excellent way to describe it.
ReplyDeleteI am very very lucky to live right on the ocean. Crashing waves significantly improve air quality by generating sea spray aerosols containing water, salts etc. There is also beneficial negative ions, improving mood. Besides, staring at the ocean horizon is also relaxing and sometimes I see a whale jumping. I love it. And if I want to see something in NYC it's a train ride away. I am so lucky.
DeleteI agree with all those people who comment on this issue. Old Remus was spot on!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree. Especially as large cities have gotten more and more crazy. When people hear where we live and ask “oh, how far are you from (Big City)?”, I always say, “Not far enough!”
ReplyDeleteI've been through New York City a couple of times, and I never want to see that place again...EVER. Small town living is my thing.
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