Social media posts can grab attention and draw a nod of agreement — some land like a fist bump of familiarity.

One such post is a plea, or an announcement, from a multi-awarded writer, advanced in age, who chooses to remain anonymous. He asks not to be tapped as a judge for writing contests, not to be sent unsolicited manuscripts from aspiring writers seeking comment, guidance, or endorsement, and not to be invited to speak at writing seminars as a guest speaker.

He does allow for possible chats over coffee with friends, provided the venue is not too far south of Cubao on EDSA, the Quezon City commercial district along Metro Manila's main circumferential road; the area around a certain university is offered as a possible setting. One exception stands: he will happily show up — even at night — if he is to be honored with a much-coveted national award.

The language of announcing a withdrawal from obligations need not be offensive or off-putting. It can even amount to a humorous request to be left alone.

Greta Garbo, the star of the silent screen who turned recluse very early in her career, uttered one of the most quoted lines in movie history: "I want to be alone." The line comes from Garbo's role as a ballerina in the film Grand Hotel, which took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. She later clarified that what she actually said was, "I want to be left alone." Garbo herself lived the theme, retiring from the screen in 1941 and staying out of the spotlight in New York until her death in 1990.

The need to be by oneself visits even those not in the throes of depression. In interviews, celebrities can mourn the loss of their privacy — the right to shop in a mall by themselves. No longer can they perform pedestrian chores without attracting mobs and gossipmongers who dissect their lives on the basis of chance encounters.

The social complaint of being too fussed over is typically voiced at the peak of a star's popularity, when she is in demand for social appearances daily and mobbed for photo opportunities and autographs. Once that phase of popularity passes, the story flips to a "where are they now?" narrative. A languishing career and the need for money become the new theme for posting: available for hosting appearances.

The isolation of the recluse need not be the result of being forgotten. Choosing to be a recluse does not mean simply lying around in bed at home watching Netflix. It is about turning down requests for one's time and attention. ("You must be there for this event, Sir.")

A consistent message of regrets eventually gets across to event planners. The reclusive option leads to a waning volume of invitations — surprise birthday parties of prominent classmates, get-togethers marking the diamond jubilee of a class, even reunions with distant cousins visiting from abroad — all answered with regrets. No elaborate excuses are attempted.

A recluse does not necessarily blend with the furniture at home. He can keep a carefree schedule of his own. There is still some anticipation for aimless conversation with friends, covering political scenarios, conspiracy theories, stock market gyrations, the health issues of friends, comparisons of countries and cultures, and the poetry of the Simon and Garfunkel song "Sound of Silence" ("Hello Darkness, my old friend."). These aimless exchanges produce no minutes — only pleasant memories, sketchy details of what was talked about, and schedules for the coming weeks.

Solitude can be unbearable when imposed unexpectedly, whether through the loss of a loved one or a financial crisis. The trauma of being tossed out of one's comfort zone is unsettling. A routine remains desirable as a guard rail for the habits of the day. Regular meetings or even office appointments can provide that routine, including lunches with regular mates and long conversations over coffee. A session can end simply by asking for the bill after presenting the senior card, the government ID that earns Filipinos past 60 their mandated discounts.

It is not that the self-declared recluse is a wet blanket in the company of others. He simply wants to go to bed early and keep a calendar that is flexible rather than too full of appointments, especially those entailing formal attire. (Does the suit still fit?)

Seclusion is sometimes not a matter of choice. There comes a time when no invitations are forthcoming. Friends from the past may have declared themselves recluses too.

Tony Samson is chairman and CEO of TOUCH xda. He can be reached at ar.samson@yahoo.com.

This column originally appeared on BusinessWorld Online.