I smoke 15 cigarettes a day. Do you?

Fun fact:

There are no public squares where I live. No piazza, no plaza, no real meeting space.

But there are lots of parking lots… lots and LOTS.

Cars get to gather, but people don’t.

This summarizes capitalism in the US for you.

Living in a system that focuses on hyper-individualism inevitably leads to loneliness.

Being lonely is worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day (!)

We need community to thrive and survive. It’s a basic human need.

Many of us get used to solitude. Just scrolling on social, turning on TV noise, and online shopping for sh*t we don’t need. 

The system teaches us that we need to focus only on ourselves and our “needs” (aka false instant gratification).

Capitalism aims to convince us that we need to be fixed. Providing a “solution” to our pain, with the fantasy that we now will be without suffering. 

But these are temporary individualized “fixes” to a much greater issue:

A global mental health crisis.

Hyper-individualizing is a painful habit we need to break out of.

Practicing finding balance is key.

When you feel stuck and alone, remind yourself that millions of people are feeling just like you, see if you can feel held in this experience.

Let’s put human relationships at the center 

Here is how you can practice breaking free: 

• Be of service to someone else. Call a friend ask them how they are doing.

• Be in community with others. Go to a dance class, a workshop.

• Go outside. Be humbled by the sky, connect with nature.

• Let yourself grieve. Cry, cry again.. until that you feel that exhale.

Yes, capitalism is a complex system, that's hard to navigate.

But remember you’re not alone in feeling this. I too feel lonely.

If you want to gather with other n’betweeners this week, join us in deep reflection this Saturday at 10AM MT.

Much love and care

Nora