Do you know where you are?

Do you know where you are in this world? It might be a stupid question to ask. Even if you're in an area unfamiliar to you, you will always be able to describe your surroundings using your senses. The surroundings also include the people, who might be trigging the anxiety. Would it be better not to know where you are if the people also "disappear"? I think many of us do it, either on purpose or subconsciously. It's not difficult to see either these days. What do you think I'm thinking of?

Was "listening to music" your answer? If so, then one point to you. A habit to many of us, myself included. Having your favourite music a few touches on a button away is genious. It is relaxing, time seems to pass quicker, or it can help you to be motivated for a long run. But there is a different side to it. Listening to music makes it more difficult to pick up all the sounds surrounding you when being outside. Wether it's people, traffic, animals, or the weather, they all get muted. The effect of it all basically is that you become less aware of where you are, not only physically but also mentally. Taking away conversations around you means you don't have to relate to anyone. You make your own comfort zone where nobody is allowed access. This is also a strategy to not let yourself be in a state where you can feel the symptoms of your anxiety.

I think most people wear headsets and listen to music in urban surroundings. I can understand that, with all the noise and such. I do it myself, after all. What I don't understand, though, is why choose to seclude yourself from reality when being outside in the nature. I can't do it. To not listen to birds, the wind, and the nature in general is to make the experience incomplete. If I am to follow the example from above, you might say that one shut out all sound because one is afraid. We can't control when and how sound should appear in nature especially, as it is more dynamic to a rather static urban life where you know what to expect. This also means you, or the anxiety rather, tells you to be on alert at all times. An irregularity such as hiking might be of good help, as the longer you stay in a state of anxiety and nothing happens, the less scary it'll be in the future. Furthermore, it is good to just be in contact with nature. We as humans have developed quickly compared to how long this earth has been habitable, so for some reason I think it's good for us to go back to our roots, so to speak.

Just a short text on awareness of our presense. How much can you actually remember from the walk home from work, or sitting on the bus?