Everything in this life is a continuous change: politics, values, ways of thinking and relating, education, the world of work, etc. Today we live in a globalized society marked by consumerism and the loss of the fixed structures of the past, resulting in a strong sense of uncertainty and loss of leadership.
This was pointed out by the philosopher and sociologist Zygmunt Bauman and reflected in many of his works the changing reality in which today’s society is immersed: liquid life, in which the fragility of affective bonds, the growth of inequalities and widespread disconnection.
A confusing scenario, but requiring speed, selfishness and individuality.
Bauman says that liquid society is based on the idea that everything is temporary, unstable, non-substantial and ephemeral, everything has an expiration date.
In addition, social networks play a fundamental role, because they allow us to be connected and, at the same time, disconnected, we go a little further.
“Consumerism promises something it cannot offer: universal happiness. And you intend to solve the problem of freedom by reducing it to consumer freedom?-Zygmunt Bauman-
The liquid man wants to be a citizen without ties, without responsibilities or commitments, he simply seeks new experiences, new risks and, therefore, does not usually solidify his roots, everything that begins is open, without closing, a point, is everything ephemeral and superficial?
Thus, there is a constant sense of existential emptiness that does not know how to fill.
That is why the person ends up immersing himself in a continuous stream of renewal, in which consumerism and the acquisition of material goods play a primary role, because it is through them that he tries to fill this existential void.
The problem is that the voids of being cannot be filled with having it, it is not the amount that erases constant dissatisfaction, no matter how hard we try, this is only in insubstantiality.
Dissatisfied desires only lead us to fantasize with more desires, which hide beliefs and needs, especially if the focus is on the outside, more than on the inside.
Nothing escapes the liquidity of our society. As a result, our individuality becomes empty and unstable and sometimes ends up leading to identity disorders, anxiety attacks or depression.
“In today’s world, all ideas of happiness can be found in a shop” – Zygmunt Bauman-
What to do with so much chaos and so much emptiness? Learning to flow like water is one of the possible solutions. It’s about shape different circumstances, just like water does with any container.
To this end, it is essential to cultivate patience and self-preservation, because this will gradually arise our real needs and mitigate the fear of change.
In addition, a critical attitude should be put in place that leads us to question certain behaviors and habits, so it will be easier to stop consumerist and renewing behaviors that imprison us in infinite loops in which nothing solidifies.
It is also necessary to focus attention inside so that, once and for all, we connect with ourselves, completely eliminate these useless patches that we sometimes put in our voids and build solid foundations for our well-being.
“We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t care about. ” Will Smith.
As we see, the question is not to always have more, but to be, cultivate inside to reflect it on the outside with contemplative, patient and enriching attitude.
Let’s stop running at full speed. Let’s stop for a moment, close our eyes and enjoy the silence, this beautiful experience that can calm our minds, stop impulses and get closer to well-being.