Maybe you’ve canceled plans and felt relieved. Maybe you spend more time with screens than people. Maybe you’ve been meaning to reconnect with an old friend… someday.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

How Not to Be a Hermit is filled with practical ideas, stories, humor, and simple challenges to help you strengthen relationships, meet new people, and create more meaningful connections.

Start by taking the free Hermit Test. In about five minutes, you’ll discover your Hermit Index (HI), what it means, and what you can do about it.

Take the Free Hermit Test

Discover your Hermit Index (HI) in about 3 minutes.

“In today’s culture of hustle and bustle, Stan’s message to get out and back to basics is a welcome and thought-provoking way to grow your business and enhance your life, while making new friends at the same time. Please read it, practice it, and share it!”
— Jerry Mathers, actor – Leave It To Beaver

“If your idea of ‘going out’ is moving from the bed to the couch, congratulations: this book was written for you. Equal parts hilarious, educational and motivating, it’ll make you want to put on real pants and rejoin humanity.”
— Clint Schwald, president – Big Idea Marketing, Inc.

“I met Stan at an event years ago, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. I was one of the ‘strangers’ who got the candy… and it worked. His ideas here make it easy to step out of the cabin, start a conversation, and actually enjoy it…for real.”
— Cheri Tree, founder Codebreaker Technologies – creator of BANK ^®

I didn’t think I had any hermit tendencies… until I read How Not to Be a Hermit. Stan has a way of making you notice the small habits that keep you stuck, then nudging you out of your cabin just enough to reconnect. Simple ideas, real impact, and they actually work.”
— Rick Goltz, NFL Rams, nutritionist

“A treasure trove of useful and fun ways to step out and connect again with the human race! Every introvert should read this book… and every extrovert should too.”
— Christopher Atkins, actor, producer

“There’s nothing complicated here, and that’s the point. Small shifts, real moments, and a reminder that connection doesn’t have to be hard. Stan has a way of turning what feels uncomfortable into something natural, making you want to step out… not because you should, but because you can.”
— Robert Hollis, The 60 Million Dollar Man

“Stan’s message is simple yet powerful: when we approach others with gratitude, grace, humor, and a little common sense, we open the door to a more meaningful and fulfilling life.”
— Robin D. Hamilton, author of Shedding Negativity, Gaining Grace

“Stan Holden has a gift for uncovering the hidden habits that quietly disconnect us from the world. How Not to Be a Hermit is insightful, funny, and alarmingly relatable. By page 30, I realized I qualified as nearly every type of hermit he describes, which felt disturbingly similar to high school health class. This book holds up a mirror, makes you laugh, and gently suggests you leave the house once in a while.”
— JR Johnson, cartoonist

“Stan’s craftiness has a way of pulling you in… much like reaching for two warm chocolate chip cookies and suddenly realizing the entire batch is gone. Fortunately, this experience comes with no calories, no guilt, and no need to brush your teeth afterward. Between the humor, the insights, and the surprisingly useful tips, tools, and exercises, there’s a lot here to enjoy and plenty to carry with you long after the last page.”
— Frank Naley, writer, Great Eagle Luxury Magazine

“I’ve traveled the world climbing mountains, including the highest peak on every continent. I reached the summit of Mt. Everest twice, once at 67 and again at 72, and solo paddled the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, among many other adventures. Looking back on all those experiences, the greatest reward was never the mountains or the miles. It was the people I met along the way. How Not to Be a Hermit is funny, honest, and motivating. It reminds us to step outside, connect with others, and fully engage with life on this planet.”
— Bill Burke, two-time Everest summiteer and 7 Summits climber