09/12/2023
reading and writing about the
high number of people experiencing that their life has no meaning, and that they don’t have a sense of connection
it’s well recognised that this combination guides us into a very dark space. the space where depression, grief, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, the diseases of despair: su***de, drug or alcohol overdose
as little as 80 years ago, we’d religion, our extended families, a defined role and a purpose in our community. nowadays we live more and more in a “me” world where I am the community. I’m measured, my success is defined by the “stuff” I own. I’m valued not by my morals or values but by what I have, and that “stuff” can’t provide meaning or purpose because it’s just “stuff”
we see it a lot “X person had it all, they had so much stuff, a beautiful family, a great garden, 3 spare bedrooms, a new car, they always laughed at parties, why did they die by despair? it’s unfathomable” (it really isn’t)
and then we know that all of this “stuff” is massively contributing towards climate change. our lifestyle is killing us and the planet
so how do we help people find significance, a value outside of their own existence, outside of how much “stuff”
they’ve accrued. how do we assist people in becoming connected to something? finding a sense of belonging in a world that is increasing stressed and struggling… in grief
when I started this education 4 years ago I’d have said I’d be done by now but in reality I feel as though I’ve only just begun 💜
if we are to solve both Climate change and Biodiversity loss, We need to Value all Life, not just what is of instrumental use by us humans. Ecologist and co-...
