National Hermit Week, from June 13 to 20 each year, champions the joy of solitude and the importance of self-care. In our fast-paced world, it’s vital to carve out ‘me-time’ to recharge and reconnect with ourselves. Unwind and prioritize your well-being this week by reading, meditating, or simply enjoying quiet reflection.
History of National Hermit Week
National Hermit Week was founded by Dr. Eleece Jel, who is a former corporate educator and academic turned spiritually-minded contemplative and educator to those seeking enlightenment. The week has been celebrated every year since 1996. It was established to provide a fun way to promote activities that are best pursued alone and quietly like resting, reading, painting, praying, writing, thinking, appreciating, creating, e.t.c. It encourages all people everywhere to take some time away from the normal hustle and bustle of their lives.
The founder, Dr. Jel, has said that in some ways, she launched the hermit holiday as a way to find some important alone time for over-exposed introverts like herself. As it evolved, she became increasingly concerned with helping out others in developing their permitting capabilities so that their lives too could be improved with more effective permitting. She encourages people to question why they think the way they do, what influenced them growing up, what the meaning of life is, and what they’re going to do about it. To think in these ways, people need to get quiet, spend some time alone and also have the motivation to do so. And so, National Hermit Week was born and the hermitage movement lives on!
What started in the early years as a funny way of bringing attention to the pros of spending time alone in today’s chaotic world transformed into something much bigger with unexpected sociological and spiritual implications. Dr. Jel says she keeps the holiday going to encourage people in their hermit quest to instill a sense of fun in a journey that can be “profoundly life-altering”.
National Hermit Week timeline
Paul of Thebes in Egypt is the first recorded Christian hermit after spending his life in the desert from the age of 16 until he was 113.
Royalty and aristocrats hire “Garden Hermits” who are encouraged to dress like druids and provide advice, consultations, and entertainment.
Charlotte Bronte’s novel “Jane Eyre” is published, where the protagonist starts as a lonely child but comes to embrace the comforts of solitude.
Dr. Eleece Jel establishes the National Hermit Week to promote activities best pursued alone.
National Hermit Week FAQs
National Hermit Week Activities
Go out by yourself
Do all the things you’ve always wanted to do but didn’t because you could never find someone to do them with. Take a vacation, have a solo dinner date, go hiking, plan a day trip or just spend the whole day wandering around the city and taking in the sights.
Stay in
Spend the week staying in and having some quality me-time. Read a book, listen to music, cook your favorite meal, have a movie marathon, play your favorite video game, sleep for 12 hours, or indulge in an eight-step skincare routine completely guilt-free!
Try new things
Sign up for that pottery class or watch a dozen crocheting videos so you can have that homemade blanket you’ve always wanted. Use this as an opportunity to return to the hobbies you don’t have time for anymore or for acquiring a new hobby!
5 Facts About Hermits That Will Blow Your Mind
A hermitess
A female hermit is called a hermitess — yes, creative, we know.
Being alone makes you more creative
Studies have shown that solitude can boost creativity and productivity, as you can see and process things clearer as a result of a less cluttered mind and quieter emotions.
Being alone can be satisfying
Solitude can help you realize that life satisfaction doesn’t just come from other people or what you do, instead, it comes from within you and being at peace with yourself.
‘Hermit’ quite literally means solitude
The word derives from the Greek word 'Erėmos,' which means ‘solitary.’
Solitude is not loneliness
Solitude can be voluntary and peaceful, while loneliness is upsetting and painful with none of us voluntarily choosing it.
Why We Love National Hermit Week
You’re great
Other people have had the pleasure of enjoying your own company for years. It’s time to enjoy your own company this week by paying attention to no one and nothing else but you! You know what they say, treat yourself.
It gives you time to focus on yourself
You’ll have a lot more time to focus on your interests and hobbies when you’re not rushing to get somewhere else. Learn how to sew, get started on that woodwork project or just laze around the house all day.
It’s okay to not be productive sometimes
It’s good to take some time off from our busy lifestyles and just focus on feeling happier. We often think that we’re doing something wrong if we’re not working a set amount of hours every day or if we have too much downtime. But there’s nothing wrong with being unproductive every once in a while and just de-stressing.
National Hermit Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | June 13–20 | Saturday–Saturday |
| 2027 | June 13–20 | Sunday–Sunday |
| 2028 | June 13–20 | Tuesday–Tuesday |
| 2029 | June 13–20 | Wednesday–Wednesday |
| 2030 | June 13–20 | Thursday–Thursday |
Holidays Straight to Your Inbox
Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly
to your inbox.