People search for commonality, often through invitation to share in drama or outrage by perpetuating "us vs them" fragmentation.
While sharing and in-grouping bonds people, it also empowers, amplifies, and condones a seductively destructive pattern.
Solving for Ego
Your brain’s "default mode network" can be seen as your "ego," interpreting (mediating) your inner and outer worlds.
Too much ego can lead to rumination, depression, OCD, and addiction.
One way to quiet ego: get a physical hobby that recognizes mastery. Move out of your head into reality.
The newest shortcut: shrooms.
Vulnerability solutions
Option 1: Become a sponge, solvency requires absorption
Option 2: Neutralize toxicity by sharing commonality
The strength of vulnerability
The paradox: to be secure you must open up.
One year ago, I was too fragile to be vulnerable, which led to more isolation and fragility: protective defense doesn’t work.
Processing Anger
I was angry when I went to bed, I was angry when I woke up. After three hours of being angry, I sat down and let myself be angry. I looked at the anger.
The emotion turned into ennui instead of anger; an inevitable sadness weighed upon me.
Sitting with that sadness I began to journal, and it lightened me some.
To dissipate the emotional cycle completely I shared the day’s struggles with a loved one.