You’ve likely seen photos of Mad Ludwig’s castle in Germany. It’s the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s castle in Disneyland.
The picturesque castle is located in the southern part of Germany. From it’s ramparts you can see the Alps. Besides being the subject of many photographs, it’s a major tourist draw.
The king who built it is often known as “Mad Ludwig”. Although he was a king, he hated dealing with people. He preferred dealing with paperwork to mingling with his subjects.
His love of isolation even carried over to how he built this castle and others. He constructed them so that he wouldn’t have to deal with the servants or even look at. There were architectural details built in to where the servants could bring food or other needs and not be seen by the monarch.
In my mind, he illustrates the desire to isolate yourself. This is one of the common side effects of an affair.
Once the affair is discovered, part of you wants to avoid people and dealing with them. Like Mad Ludwig, you may even wish that you could be waited on and not even see people.
You want to protect yourself from feeling and talking. When you are isolated you may even feel safe.
The problem is that when you’re isolated, you’re cut off from connection with others and the growth that brings. Yes, connection with others stirs up feelings, yet it also brings growth.
Mad Ludwig went to extremes in isolating himself. His isolation didn’t make him happy or solve his problems. Even to this day, there are mysteries surrounding his death.
The king was found lying face down in a lake. No one know if he was murdered or did himself in. Being in isolation also means your pain is magnified. There is no one to share your burdens with you.
The life of Mad Ludwig illustrates the dangers of isolating yourself too much.
When you’re ready to come out from your isolation, consider joining the Restored Lifestyle site. There you can work your way into connecting with others and coming out at your own pace.
I know it can be scary coming out of isolation, yet I also know that we were not created to carry all that pain alone.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff
