Hello! From your description, it seems like you're in a state of emotional isolation. You have contact and interaction with people and things outside, but you don't really feel connected.
The metaphor of the tortoise shell is a great way to understand this state of "separation between inside and outside."
Psychologists say that we all need a barrier, and this is where the idea of "psychological skin" comes in. Just like the skin on our bodies, it surrounds and protects us, providing a certain barrier against external intrusions, keeping us safe and healthy.
Our skin is an amazing organ! Not only does it protect us from disease, but it also has a sensory function. It doesn't block us from feeling external stimuli; it actually transmits signals and connects us with the outside world!
The amazing tortoiseshell you mentioned is like a hard armor outside the skin. It does have a protective function, but at the same time it isolates our perception, mainly referring to emotional and affective awareness in psychology. Generally speaking, such a hard shell will not be formed in a short period of time (unless it is a stress response under specific stimuli), and it is often slowly grown out of early experiences.
Let me give you an example. If a child is not allowed to express emotional attachment and is not paid attention to when they are young, they will develop a coping mechanism: isolation. Since they are not allowed to do so, they will suppress it and act as if it does not exist.
Over time, it will become an automatic response. For example, if you are afraid of being hurt, you avoid people or don't get emotionally involved. A gentleman's friendship is as shallow as water; if there are not many expectations, there will be no disappointment. But here's the good news! You can change all that!
There may be a sense of security under the armor or tortoise shell, but it also gives a sense of unreality. Because of our social nature, we cannot exist in isolation. We have a natural need for belonging, emotional connection, and self-esteem, and these are established through interactions with the external environment.
To break through this isolation, you first need to understand yourself. What happened in your growth and life? How do you perceive the external world? How do you view yourself? Once you know the answers to these questions, you can find the connection between yourself and the outside world. You can try to perceive the flow of emotions from the subtle details. You can even try to expose yourself to a certain extent! This will help you slowly establish a new relationship model.
If you're ready to take the plunge, you can also dive deep into your own mind through the amazing world of psychological counseling. The relationship you build with your counselor is like a mirror that reflects your inner self, opening up a whole new world of possibilities as you build and grow together.
Why not give it a go yourself? It's a great way to start! In your daily life, try to consciously observe, record, and reflect on your experiences. For example, observe without judging using mindfulness, and at the same time experience what kind of physical and mental feelings you have (relaxed, tense, happy, excited...). Talk about it with others and see what they think!


Comments
I understand that feeling, it's like you're watching life happen from behind a glass wall, disconnected and distant. It's as if the depth of experiences is just out of reach, even when you're right in the middle of them.
It sounds like you're yearning for something more profound, a deeper connection to your surroundings and the people in your life. Maybe it's time to explore what's beneath the surface and find meaning beyond the everyday routine.
Sometimes we feel this way because we're too busy on the outside and not enough on the inside. Perhaps it's an invitation to slow down, to listen more deeply to yourself and others, and to let go of any expectations that keep you at arm's length from true intimacy with life.
The world can seem so vast and overwhelming that we might retreat into a shell of superficiality for protection. But what if you allowed yourself to be vulnerable? What if you started peeling back the layers and engaging more authentically with the world?
This sense of detachment could also be a sign of burnout or emotional exhaustion. Have you considered taking a break or seeking activities that bring you genuine joy and fulfillment rather than just going through the motions?