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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Philippa Perry

I keep fantasising about living in total solitude in a forest

Does your isolated life in the forest represent an invitation to explore something that just comes from you, rather than from external pressures? Ask Philippa.
‘Does your isolated life in the forest represent an invitation to explore something that just comes from you, rather than from external pressures?’ Ask Philippa. Photograph: John Hopkins/Alamy

The question I am a woman in my early 30s and about two years ago, I moved out of London and back home with my parents as I found the city soul-crushing: expenses and rent constantly going up and a sense of only surviving there, for which I saw no end in sight. I don’t think it’s unrelated that I felt my job placed unceasing, unrealistic expectations of availability on me and gave no acknowledgment of that in return.

Now, I’m working remotely in a job I like well enough, that pays me more than I’ve ever made in my life for relatively easy work, allowing me to save. I’m enjoying being around nature and having the extra time with my family as I contemplate my next steps. But I find myself with no desires, no thoughts about where I might live or what I see my life looking like. I still feel that something is not quite right.

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