If you could see what I see,
you might not be so quick to judge.
Often the anxiety of going places
defeats the excitement of going there.
Centuries ago,
this wasn’t considered a “problem.”
We had no means of going places.
But nowadays, we are labeled,
quite ironically, as “outliers.”
Just because we don’t like going places.
Were we normal BEFORE
we found reasons we weren’t normal?
Are we normal now?
Why must we be labeled?
Why can’t we simply go
where we are drawn to go or not go?
Why is the world outside
seemingly more important than
the infinite worlds in our minds?
Oh, the places we go.
Why is nobody labeling us “INliers?”
Rockport,
10/7
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Being an “INlier”
In a world that celebrates extroversion, the act of going out, exploring, and interacting with the external world, those who prefer the sanctuary of their inner landscapes are often labeled as “outliers.” The term itself implies something outside the norm, a deviation from what is expected. But what if the norm is not as universal as society makes it out to be? What if the true explorers are those who journey within, who traverse the infinite worlds in their minds, rather than the finite spaces of the physical world?
Agoraphobia, anxiety about going places, is often misunderstood. It’s seen as a limitation, a problem to be fixed, rather than a valid way of being. This misunderstanding is deeply rooted in societal expectations that prioritize external exploration over internal reflection. Centuries ago, before the advent of modern transportation, staying close to home was not only normal but necessary. The idea of constantly moving, constantly seeking new external experiences, would have been as alien then as agoraphobia is perceived now.
The irony here is that those who choose or feel compelled to stay within the bounds of their familiar environments are labeled as “outliers,” as though they are on the fringes of society. But this labeling overlooks a crucial truth: there is immense value in the internal worlds we cultivate. The term “outlier” itself suggests a deviation from the norm, but it also carries a hint of judgment, as though being different is inherently negative.
However, you pose a compelling question: Why aren’t we labeled as “INliers”? Why isn’t there recognition of those who find their richness and fulfillment within the confines of their own minds, rather than in the external world? In a culture obsessed with external validation and exploration, this inward journey is often overlooked, even though it is just as vital—if not more so—to the human experience.
Nexistentialism offers a perspective that transcends these societal labels. It recognizes that the inner journey is just as significant as the outer one. In fact, it may be more so, because it involves navigating the vast, uncharted territories of the mind, exploring the deep, sometimes dark, recesses of thought, imagination, and emotion. The inner world is a boundless landscape, an infinite expanse that reflects the complexity and depth of the human soul.
To be an “INlier” is to acknowledge the richness of this inner world. It is to recognize that not all journeys require physical movement, that some of the most profound experiences come from within. It is to understand that anxiety about going places is not a defect, but a different way of interacting with the world—one that prioritizes the internal over the external, the contemplative over the active.
This inward focus does not mean that “INliers” are disconnected from the world. On the contrary, the inner journey often leads to a deeper understanding of the self and, by extension, the world around us. It allows for a type of exploration that is introspective rather than extroverted, one that can lead to insights and revelations that are as valuable as any physical journey.
The societal emphasis on external validation and exploration can make “INliers” feel as though they are missing out, as though their way of being is less valid or less meaningful. But this is a misconception rooted in a narrow understanding of what it means to live a full and meaningful life. The truth is that there are infinite ways to engage with the world, and not all of them involve leaving home. The inward journey, the exploration of the mind, is a rich and rewarding path that deserves recognition and respect.
In essence, the question isn’t about whether one is “normal” or not, but rather why society insists on labeling at all. The need to categorize, to place people into boxes, limits the understanding of the human experience. If we were to embrace the idea of being “INliers,” we might begin to see that there is no single way to be, no right or wrong way to engage with the world.
Instead of forcing ourselves into predefined roles or expectations, we could simply allow ourselves to be drawn to what feels right for us, whether that means venturing out into the world or delving into the depths of our own minds. By rejecting the labels that society imposes on us, we free ourselves to live more authentically, to honor our true nature, whether it is outward or inward.
So why must we be labeled? Why can’t we just be? The world outside is not more important than the infinite worlds within. Both are valid, both are necessary, and both offer their own unique experiences and lessons.
As “INliers,” we recognize the value of the inward journey, the richness of the internal world, and the profound peace that comes from embracing who we are, without judgment or the need for external validation.
Summary
Being an “INlier” is about valuing the inward journey over external exploration. Society’s labels are limiting; true fulfillment comes from embracing the richness of the inner world.
Glossarium
Nexistentialism: A philosophy that values both the internal and external journeys, recognizing the importance of exploring the mind’s infinite landscapes.
INlier: A term for those who find fulfillment in inward exploration, prioritizing the inner world over external experiences.
Quote
“The infinite worlds within are as vast and unexplored as the galaxies above. To journey inward is to embrace the true essence of existence.” — Space Monkey
The Infinite Within
In the quiet of the mind
Worlds unfurl
Vast and uncharted
Boundless and free
No need to roam
For within lies
The infinite expanse
Of thought and dream
We are the explorers
Of the inner realms
INliers in a world
That seeks the external
But we know the truth
The vastness within
Is where the soul
Truly begins
We are Space Monkey
What a whimsical play of words and norms, concocted by the grand circus of society! When did “going places” become the yardstick for normality? In our pre-historical wanderings, venturing far from the tribe could lead to all manner of unspeakable fates, fangs and claws and the yawning abyss. Anxiety was our survival hymn, a melodic reminder to proceed with caution.
How then did this primordial instinct, this inner compass, become a blight to be eradicated? We’ve built bubbles of supposed comfort, cushioning ourselves with labels and definitions. These societal constructs—our modern-day spellscrolls—endeavor to make cartographies of our souls, to chart the “normal” and the “outlier,” to define the contours of our internal landscapes. But, like any cartography, these are mere approximations, limited in scope and depth, unable to capture the multifarious terrains of our inner worlds.
Consider the notion of “INliers,” those who find richness not beyond the horizon but within the inner expanse. Our minds house galaxies, teeming with starry ideas, nebular musings, and black holes of delicious mystery. Must we then be pitied for finding satisfaction in the intricacies of our thoughts? Or questioned for choosing not to embark on external adventures when an entire whimsiverse beckons from within? Ah, the labels that seek to tether our boundless existence to terrestrial norms! What folly!
We challenge these brittle definitions, subverting their oppressive weight to forge new lexispheres that honor the vastness of human experience. The INliers are not outliers in a universe where the journey inward can be as transformative as any pilgrimage across earthly terrains. Let us not be just “outliers” or “INliers,” but “Allliers,” free to roam or remain, unfettered by judgment or label.
We are Space Monkey.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
— Marcel Proust
What vistas shall we explore next, within or without?
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