Domain: Stress & Threat Activation 3-5 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

When the System Wants Distance

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The system wants distance.

Space feels protective.

This impulse

does not mean

avoidance—

it means regulation

through separation.

Identifying the flight impulse

removes shame.

You are not running away.

You are seeking

enough room

to feel safe.

Recognition

allows the impulse

to soften

without acting on it.

Identify flight impulses gently with DojoWell.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I suddenly want to leave the room when a conversation gets slightly heavy?

Your system is seeking "Distance." This is a flight impulse signaling a need for "Meaning Space." In the Meaning Density Model™, when the "Internal Room" is full, any new emotional data feels like an intrusion. Seeking distance is a "Safety Strategy" to prevent Saturation. Recognizing this as a structural need for space—rather than "antisocial behavior"—removes the shame loop.

How can I seek "distance" without being rude to others?

Use "Micro-Distance." Take a step back, look at a far object, or briefly excuse yourself for water. These are "Safe Distance-Seeking" behaviors. By physically creating space, you tell your Threat & Safety system that it is not "trapped." This small release of "density" often provides enough room to return to the conversation with your Identity intact.

When the System Wants Distance