I happened to be on Threads recently and saw a post that intrigued me. Someone with the handle Mr. Wallace posted "Dear millennials, I think we’ve healed enough can we go outside and ride bikes now? Maybe put the psychology books away before it’s too late and we’re gone? We know enough. Let’s live again." Though I may not agree with the statement in its entirety, he is definitely onto something.
A recent analysis of census data found that Americans are spending more time at home, and a large part of it alone according to an article in The New York Times. The trend that was already happening rose significantly during the COVID19 pandemic when we were all confined to our homes. In many ways, I don’t blame people for spending so much time at home. After all, you can get almost anything delivered to you and life has gotten very expensive over the last few years. Going outside means watching your money deplete in real time and so many people are struggling to maintain the current costs of living.
With modern conveniences, we have more time on our hands to doom scroll on social media where pop psychology is the theme du jour. We have become so inundated with psychological terms and holistic healing for the last couple of years, that as much as I am proud of us for doing the work, I think we need to find that creative balance of living and learning.
We need to understand that healing is a lifelong process and there will always be something to heal from at different stages and phases of life. Healing cannot happen in isolation; it is most successful in community, whether it is with the love and support of family members or with friends who are in our corner.
It now becomes a question of what kind of activities are you engaging in that can help you achieve that overall wellness. Like the author suggested, riding your bikes is a great start. I would like to add, engage in play for adults. That can look different for everyone. You can get a coloring book and head outdoors, hike, picnic, dance in the rainfall and jump in mud puddles. When was the last time you jumped in mud puddles?
We are missing out on life, especially with a health and wellness industry that is marketing healing and wellness as a luxury. These industries have been formed as a way to strip us of our resources when our greatest resources are right here. Fresh air, a walk through a park, that canvas and pain you stuck in a corner for many years, those roller skates collecting dust, museums and so many other fun things.
We all need to find what enhances our lives. For some, busy city life invigorates their soul and makes them feel alive in ways that no suburb or small town can. For others a slower pace, relaxes the spirit and helps them hear their innermost thoughts. Whatever that place is for you, enjoy it, and get out a little more.
How are you getting out of the house this weekend?
(Photo of people walking over a bridge We Outside, Renata Poleon 2024)
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