After years of the self-care movement, a new term is appearing in the life optimization sky: Community Care
After intensive research into the psychological and therefore physical weaknesses of our time, a trend towards self-love and self-care developed, which is actually the basis for any fulfilling activity.
Personally, these terms were always too big for me to grasp. At some point, I came to the realization that it meant nothing other than treating yourself with appreciation, love, respect and attentiveness in the same way that you do with your children, partner or close friends, for example.
This realization makes the term self-care more tangible for me.
The thesis on self-love probably emerged in a time of chronic overwork and the accompanying lack of time. However, it is doubtful that it alone leads to a fulfilled life.
Time and again, I find myself wondering what life was like for people in the past. I think of times when work was part of life in an unlimited and unregulated form and there were no vacations, day spas, NETFLIX marathons or gel manicures to make the soul relax. What kept people going back then? (THE PEOPLE in this case is a generalization, used here for the sake of simplicity, of course. We are fully aware that depression, melancholy and suicide were part of society at all times. The same applies to the EARLY PERIODS, on which we do not wish to impose any kind of home movie idyll filter).
Our thinking is in line with the latest findings in burnout research.
The community, our own role in it and our view of the bigger picture - without wanting to sound too communist - is essential for our soul. For example, it has been proven that more time in the calendar does not always provide relief for burnout sufferers - surprisingly, it is often the opposite.
That cries out for an explanation
Those who feel like they are on autopilot on the journey of their lives and are only running in REACTION mode instead of ACTION mode could experience meaningfulness again in several if not all areas of life by pursuing an inspiring passion - ideally in a group.
Despite a perceived lack of time, making an appointment and joining a basketball club, choir, gymnastics club or literary circle can have an infinitely beneficial effect. An education that corresponds to our own interests and promotes networking with like-minded people can also bring us back to life.
Amazing or not - we need community and the feeling of being a part of it. We need people who share our worries, our happiness, our hopes, who dry our tears and look forward to the next stage of life with us. People who cheer us on and support us, because that's what makes us feel life. 💚
