The neo-hermitage: Cultivating awareness in the age of artificial intelligence
At the beginning of 2025, in response to the growing omnipresence of artificial intelligence in our daily lives, a new concept emerged: the neo-hermitage, imagined by the founder of the Hermity brand. This movement does not advocate for a total rejection of technology but rather a conscious and strategic approach. The neo-hermit cultivates the art of temporary isolation as a deliberate mental exercise while remaining fully grounded in the digital world. Solitude is not used as an escape, but as a tool to sharpen critical awareness. Through various practices—whether sports, travel, meditation, or simply moments of silence—the neo-hermit works on their clarity of mind like an athlete trains their muscles, preparing to interact with AI in a more awake and autonomous manner.
Isolation as a conscious tool
Unlike the traditional hermit who sought to flee society permanently, the neo-hermit adopts a radically different approach. They do not reject the connected world—they embrace it, but on their own terms. The isolation they practice is strategic, deliberate, and temporary. It’s not about severing all ties with civilization, but about creating conscious pauses within the flow of digital interactions. These moments of withdrawal allow for a reset in the relationship with technology, a return to one’s center, and a sharpening of discernment.
Neo-hermitage takes many forms, adapted to each person’s personality and circumstances. It might be practiced through a mountain hike where connectivity is limited, a morning meditation session before turning on devices, or even a solo trip without real-time social media sharing. What matters is not so much the form this isolation takes, but the intention behind it: to create a mental space where the relationship with technology is not automatic but conscious. These retreats can last a few minutes, a few hours, or sometimes several days—their duration matters less than their regularity and the quality of attention invested.
When practicing neo-hermitage, one actively exercises their “attention muscle”—the ability to consciously direct attention rather than let it be captured by algorithms. These moments of isolation create a revealing contrast with the usual state of hyperconnectivity. One begins to notice thought patterns, reflexes, and dependencies that have settled in unnoticed. Like a scientist observing a phenomenon, one becomes aware of the influence of AI on cognition, emotions, and choices. This awareness is the first step toward regained autonomy. Isolation acts as a mirror to our digital habits and cultivates self-presence that can then extend into technological interactions.
AI and mindfulness
The neo-hermit does not see artificial intelligence as an enemy to avoid, but as a powerful tool requiring special vigilance. The central question that drives them is: Am I using AI, or is it using me? They strive to maintain a clear intention when interacting with these technologies. Before using an AI tool, they routinely ask: “What is my precise goal? Is this technology serving me, or am I serving its algorithms?” This habit of conscious questioning transforms the relationship with AI, placing the individual in an active role rather than that of a passive consumer. One learns to recognize when use becomes compulsive or drifts from the original intent.
Neo-hermitage invites the cultivation of dual awareness: being fully present in the technological interaction while maintaining a meta-cognitive perspective on the same interaction. This distanced view develops through regularly practiced periods of isolation. Returning to AI interfaces after a retreat brings a renewed freshness that allows the mechanisms of influence to be spotted. Questions arise, such as: “How is this AI subtly steering my choices? What implicit values does this technology promote? What personal abilities am I perhaps prematurely delegating?” This critical curiosity becomes second nature, enabling autonomous interaction with AI.
To strengthen one’s position as a neo-hermit, specific practices should be integrated into daily AI use. Before checking algorithmic recommendations, one can take a few conscious breaths and remember that these suggestions are designed to maximize engagement, not necessarily well-being or personal growth. It’s beneficial to dedicate specific times to using creative AIs, rather than consulting them reactively or compulsively. Keeping a journal of AI interactions, noting how these technologies influence mood, thoughts, and decisions, can be eye-opening. Occasionally practicing “pure creation challenges”—producing content without algorithmic assistance—helps preserve native creative abilities. These practices allow one to fully harness the benefits of AI while preserving cognitive integrity.
Neo-hermitage as a lifestyle
Neo-hermitage is not a permanent state but a conscious oscillation between connection and disconnection. One learns to create a personal digital rhythm adapted to one’s needs and values. Like a musical composer, the neo-hermit alternates periods of technological intensity with stretches of digital silence. It’s not the quantity of tech use that matters, but its quality and intentionality. Some days may be deeply immersive in AI environments, while others are deliberately focused on analog experiences. The essential thing is for these variations to follow conscious intent rather than unconscious habits or external pressures. By becoming attentive to this rhythm, one transforms their relationship to time and regains agency that digital overstimulation may have eroded.
To fully embody neo-hermitage, it’s helpful to set up physical and temporal “sanctuaries” in daily life. Some areas of the home can be designated as tech-free zones—perhaps the bedroom, dining table, or a reading and reflection corner. Establishing protected time slots—such as the first hours of the morning or the last hour before bed—for screen-free activities is also beneficial. These sanctuaries are not zones of deprivation but oases of direct experience that nourish attention and wonder. They remind us that a significant part of human experience exists outside algorithmic interaction. These spaces become the pillars of a personal architecture of awareness, helping us return to what matters when information overload threatens balance.
One of the central practices of neo-hermitage is developing transition rituals between connected and disconnected states. These rituals act as decompression chambers that enable conscious passage from one mode to another. Before entering an intensive AI session, one might take a few minutes to clarify intentions and set time boundaries. Similarly, after prolonged immersion in digital environments, a short meditation, a walk outside, or some stretching can help re-anchor attention in the body and immediate surroundings. These rituals are not rigid constraints but invitations to presence that help maintain attentional sovereignty. They symbolically mark the choice to stay in command of one’s relationship with technology rather than be carried away by the constant flow of information and stimuli.
Conclusion
The neo-hermitage represents an evolutionary response to a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining how we think, create, and interact. The neo-hermit does not reject these technological advances—they seek instead to cultivate the awareness needed to use them wisely. Temporary isolation becomes a mental gym, offering the space needed to cultivate discernment and autonomy. This practice is not a luxury in today’s digital age, but a necessity for preserving one’s humanity in the face of increasingly sophisticated systems competing for our attention. By consciously alternating between connection and disconnection, one develops a more balanced and intentional relationship with technology. Neo-hermitage invites us to become the conscious architect of our attentional landscape rather than its passive inhabitant. In this renewed dialogue with artificial intelligence, we may rediscover the very essence of human intelligence: the ability to consciously choose where, when, and how to direct our precious attention.