We’re in a Spiritual Crisis!

People crave connection, but they must also maintain individuality.

People have a fundamental need for connection — to give and receive support, and to feel seen, heard, and valued in their relationships. At the same time, they yearn for a sense of belonging. Yet to achieve true belonging, you must first stand alone as an individual. The desire to fit in makes genuine belonging impossible. When you prioritize fitting in over belonging, you risk becoming a “chameleon” in different environments, ultimately betraying your true self.

Shared ideology — even when rooted in exclusion or hostility — can create a sense of connection. People might feel connected over what they believe or whom they hate, but this is a counterfeit form of connection. Prioritizing ideology can lead people to discount true emotional connections, such as those with family and friends. When you bond with others over ideology, connection becomes contingent on continuing to agree.

A lack of emotional literacy can also hamper meaningful connections. Research has found that the average person can identify only three emotions: happy, sad, and angry. This lack of emotional vocabulary limits self-awareness...