6.

Keeping Love at Arm’s Length: The Avoidant

Attachment Style

THE LONESOME TRAVELER

Most of us are fascinated with people who go out into the world on
their own, without any hindrances or obligations, without feeling the
need to address or consider others’ needs. From fanciful characters
like Forrest Gump to real-life pioneers like Diane Fossey, such
lonesome travelers often have strong principles and ideological
motivations.
In Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book Into the Wild, Chris McCandless,
a superior student and athlete in his early twenties, leaves his ordinary
life behind and heads for the Alaskan wilderness. Traveling alone, with
minimal gear, Chris makes his way toward Alaska with the goal of
living off the land without the help of other human beings. Throughout
his journey, Chris engages people who want to make him a part of
their lives, including an elderly man who offers to adopt him, a young
girl who falls in love with him, and a couple who invites him to live with
them. Chris, however, is determined to make it on his own.
Before reaching his final destination, Chris has his last human
interaction with a man named Gallien who has given him a ride:

During the drive south toward the mountains, Gallien had tried

repeatedly to dissuade Alex [Chris’s pseudonym] from his

plan, to no avail. He even offered to drive Alex all the way to

Anchorage so he could at least buy the kid some decent gear.

“No, thanks anyway,” Alex replied. “I’ll be fine with what I’ve

got.” When Gallien asked whether his parents or some friend