Individualism has been steadily increasing for 200 years in Western society and rapidly accelerating for two generations.
Posted yesterday at 4:00 p.m.
You don’t have to go back very far in time to see that people gave themselves the mission of being an active link in the community. How do you think the famous words of John Kennedy in 1960 would be received today? “Don’t ask yourself what the country can do for you; ask yourself what you can do for your country. »
The dark side of individualism takes us away from concern for others and for the community. It brings a withdrawal into oneself that flattens and shrinks our lives to use the words of Charles Taylor, a Quebec philosopher who wrote Greatness and misery of modernity.
The consequences of the rise of individualism are numerous. For example, the most egocentric forms of self-realization have gained a lot of ground in recent years: my performance becomes more important than my contribution to the community, the importance I place on my identity requires recognition from others , the people I love become part of my identity and I pirouette with my schedule in order to have the best children.
Photo MATHIEU BÉLANGER, La Presse archives
Yvon Charest
Could it be that individualism contributes quite strongly to putting a nice layer of pressure on oneself that leads to anxiety, overwork, even envy and jealousy?
Could it be that perfectionist individualism is a big part of the skyrocketing numbers of people with mental health issues? And if so, is it possible to turn the tide and leave it up to others to be perfect and wonderful, to dedicate part of our time to the community, to help each other (that our gestures are recognized or not), to think a little less about individual success and a little more about that of people in need? In short, to be turned towards others?
I believe a shift towards a greater sense of community is needed, as I see no light at the end of the tunnel of outright individualism. Not everyone has the same ability to free themselves from social conformism because some people have not had the chance to find the inner security necessary to choose an avenue different from that which has imposed itself in society.
The fact remains that two affirmations can make it possible to gain confidence in one’s abilities and in life, thus allowing one to assume one’s own choices. The first assertion is that we will never have final control over what people think of us, no matter what we say or do. This is a great way to take the pressure off.
The second affirmation is from Jean Guitton, and I quote: never look for confidence outside of yourself, because you will always be worried. He invites us to enter into ourselves in the depths of our heart, to convince ourselves of our choices and to build on this assurance.
Breaking free from the spiral of individualism increases our energy and benefits our mental health. And what better than a beautiful quote to remind us to take action: if I don’t do it, who will? If I don’t do it now, when? And if I only do it for myself, who am I?