The Perils of Individualism - Issue 68 - 2nd July 2023
The issues we face in the West with regards to mental health significantly stem from a culture that promotes individualism and materialism to a species that is communal and spiritual (2). We expect to find happiness, fulfilment and meaning in thinking purely about ourselves, in promoting ourselves online in fabricated ways and in buying stuff.
Don’t let this individualistic society tell you that this is as good as it gets
I’ve said this many times in this newsletter but our brains are largely unchanged when compared to the brains of our hunter-gatherer ancestors who communicated with eachother face to face within nature, who exercised everyday, who told each other stories around a campfire. Is it any wonder that we are more depressed than ever? We are a species built for connection, community, friction and nature. Yet we live within a culture that promotes individualism, selfishness, comfort, straight, artificial lines and sharp, concrete corners.
I’ve said this many times in this newsletter but our brains are largely unchanged when compared to the brains of our hunter-gatherer ancestors who communicated with eachother face to face within nature, who exercised everyday, who told each other stories around a campfire. Is it any wonder that we are more depressed than ever? We are a species built for connection, community, friction and nature. Yet we live within a culture that promotes individualism, selfishness, comfort, straight, artificial lines and sharp, concrete corners.
Counteract any negative feelings with behaviours and activities that mimic the behaviours and activities our hunter-gatherer ancestors undertook: go outside and find some greenery, exercise, connect with someone face to face or find something useful to do for your community. Don’t let this individualistic society tell you that this is as good as it gets.
Keep On Struggling,
Gregor
Band I Seen Live - Guns ‘n’ Roses
After rescheduling their tour date in Glasgow last year, I finally went to see one of my favourite bands of all time Guns ‘n’ Roses and they did not disappoint. With three of the “original” members (Axl Rose, Duff McKagen & Slash), I was beyond excited to finally see them live before they bid us farewell. I was pleasantly surprised by Rose’s vocals as many of their songs were difficult to sing when he was in his prime let alone thirty years later. They played for an astonishing three hours. If you can get tickets for these guys, do it and you won’t be disappointed.
Your Struggle Short For The Week
Quote to Ponder
Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: 'What? You too? I thought I was the only one’ - C. S. Lewis
References
1) Image Credit - RawPixel
2) Russell Brand - Diary of a CEO
3) Guns ‘n’ Roses Image - The Guardian