Personally I don't think of being in a monastery as really being a hermit, because a monastery is still an active community, albeit using nonverbal communication.

So, I'm not sure which it is for you.. is your inclination to truly socially isolate, or is it just to not verbally communicate?

I've often wished I had the kind of specific religious convictions that would qualify me to be able to join a religious order, as I think that lifestyle would suit me. Total social isolation, on the other hand, is a tendency of mine -- but one that only gets me into trouble when I honor it. For me it only makes worse the things that I wish it to make better.