As the world undergoes rapid changes—from the increasing influence of AI to emerging digital currencies and geopolitical tensions—it’s easy to become overwhelmed. After all, it seems there’s threats and crises everywhere and with no sign of stopping. Anxiety and worry cloud our judgement as we navigate a myriad of complexities, contributing to a pervasive ‘culture of fear.’
THE LIMITATIONS OF MATERIAL FOCUS
Often our initial instinct in times of uncertainty or hardship is to protect or frantically invest more into our material assets, like housing, money or other investments. While financial prudence is crucial and should be exercised at any time in life, not just the hard times, this strategy has its limits.
Unpredictable external factors can easily undo even our best efforts. If we currently live in a developed nation we will most likely have experienced relative stability, prosperity, and peace. Though it seems everlasting right now, the norm in history is not like this, and many periods saw the same brief periods of peace we have experienced today, with many thinking the same way no doubt.
So while we hope for the best, a reality that may be likely is that the current situation will change at some point.
Therefore, alongside personal economic precautions, it is vital to nurture aspects that are less likely to be at the whim of external factors such as a flexible mindset grounded in meaning, purpose, skills, and values.
THE CULTURE OF FEAR: A BRIEF EXPLORATION
Before diving into some of the solutions, I want to quickly cover the ‘culture of fear‘ that grips modern society. The concept and term was coined by Professor Frank Furedi, and describes a society where fear has become a dominant discourse, impacting both public policy and individual behaviour.
In deeper explanations, the culture of fear can be understood as a manifestation of modern society’s unease with the unpredictable and uncontrollable aspects of human existence. Furedi often explores how this culture of fear intersects with a decline in the belief in human agency, as people increasingly perceive themselves as vulnerable to a wide range of external threats, rather than as individuals capable of shaping their own destinies.
This pervasive emotional climate often stems from a societal preoccupation with safety, risk, and future uncertainties. This culture is not a new phenomenon but rather an age-old emotional response amplified by things like global interconnectivity and a 24/7 news cycle, as well as age-old responses like the universal death anxiety inherent in human beings (among many other factors).
In the grand scheme, this culture serves to remind us that our craving for control and predictability is an illusion.
MEANING-CENTRED APPROACHES: ARMOUR FOR THE FUTURE
Meaning is the fundamental motivating force for human life. And to be clear, we aren’t talking about a grand ‘the meaning of life’ or ‘higher purpose’ type of thing- though that’s completely fine to have. When we talk about meaning, we are referring to the individual and collective experiences we find relevant to us (known as ‘relevance realization’).
Since the word meaning itself is a metaphor, to explain what meaning is we could summarise it this way:
Meaning is the feeling you get when what you’re doing really matters, connecting you more deeply to yourself, others, and the world around you.
As well as a positive experience about what matters to us and connects us, meaning is also the antidote that combats the suffering that is inherent to being human. With it, we are able to endure and even sometimes thrive in the harshest and most horrible situations and circumstances.
Take the experience of Viktor Frankl, the founder of Logotherapy and who has been instrumental to the field of Psychology, and his experience surviving the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz.
“There is nothing in the world, I venture to say, that would so effectively help one to survive even the worst conditions as the knowledge that there is a meaning in one’s life. There is much wisdom in the words of Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how”
Frankl observed that even in the horrible conditions, one could find meaning and retain one’s humanity. After the war and his experience in the camp, he went on to form Logotherapy, based on the idea of “will to meaning,” which shifts the focus onto meaning as a primary need for human beings and realises the importance of a purpose-driven life led by values.
This sentiment is echoed all throughout history from countless great thinkers and people, and even now in the modern day we see a massive resurgence in meaning based therapies and ideas. It’s also backed up time and again in studies.
Even in day to day life in our relatively safe and stable world, you can see how meaning drives parents to care for their children, despite those nights of lost sleep and exhaustion. It’s what makes us value dogs and cats as household pets and welcome them into the family with love and as if they were children. It’s the reason why that significant other in our life means so much to us and that we sacrifice so much for them. It’s why we cry, laugh or sing when we might hear a particular song. It’s why we get dressed up for sports teams and cheer for them.
Meaning is what connects us to ourselves, each other and the world. Meaning matters to us.
THE STOIC RESPONSE: ZENO OF CITIUM
A quick dive now into history with the story of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoic Philosophy, which serves as an instructive tale of resilience and adaptability. Zeno was a merchant in ancient Greece who lost his ship and all its cargo in a shipwreck. Stranded in Athens, his wealth all gone, he happened upon a bookstore where he was introduced to the teachings of Socrates.
Inspired, and rather than lamenting his losses, Zeno chose to pivot dramatically. He immersed himself in philosophy, eventually founding the Stoic school which teaches that the path to happiness lies in personal virtue and wisdom. Stoicism is a practical way of living that is meant for solving problems and becoming a better, more virtuous person.
Stoicism, to clear up any misconceptions, is not about not showing any emotions as is typically thought by many people (eg: the stoic face). Rather, it’s about the right emotion, for the right measure, and the right amount of time, for the given situation and circumstance.
The Stoic ethos, much like the logotherapeutic approach, centres on the idea that while we cannot control external events, we have the utmost control over our own responses, or specifically, how we choose to react to a situation. This does not mean not showing any emotion, because the reality is that pain and suffering hurt us a lot and cannot be avoided, rather, it’s about being aware that we can still exert control over our choices and behaviours, despite a raging internal storm of emotions within us (Note: if we need help with skills to be able to manage our internal storms, help is always here).
So in summary, Zeno’s life-changing setback transformed into an opportunity for profound personal growth and philosophical innovation- and a testament to the impact this has had on history. Stoicism has influenced so many periods and always became a go- to for hard times again and again. And likewise today Stoicism is currently seeing the biggest revival in several hundred years!
Zeno’s example serves as a timeless reminder that even in the face of drastic uncertainties and setbacks, a shift in focus and perspective can not only help us cope but also enrich our lives in unanticipated ways.
PRACTICAL STEPS: HOW TO PREPARE WITH A MEANING-CENTRED MINDSET
- Examine Your Values: Take time to list what’s essential to you. What principles guide your actions? Can you make decisions today that align with these values? Values are not things we possess, rather they are qualities we bring to our behaviour, or put another way, they are our deepest desires as to how we want to be and act as a person. We all have values, and by being aware of them, we can learn to live more in alignment with them. Values are things we look at in almost all forms of therapy and coaching, especially in mental health coaching.
- Our Responsibility: You’re not just a passive observer of life; you’re an active participant. Even in chaos, your choices reflect your values and shape your experience. As Victor Frankl said “Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation.”
- Find Meaning: Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or personal growth, identify what gives your life a sense of purpose. This search is especially effective when guided by anyone trained or knowledgable in meaning oriented coaching or therapy. My post about relevance realization is an in depth look at how we do this. By consciously asking ourselves ‘what this means to me’ with things that matter to us, we can create a deeper connection to those things.
- Build Strong Connections: Establish and nurture a support network of individuals who offer emotional and practical support in times of need. It’s important to engage with relationships in a participatory way, making sure not to see them as ‘things we can have’, but rather as something we are being a part of. One way to ensure we have a good balance is to aim to be PART OF someone else’s support network for them- and not just for us.
- Be Present: Instead of dwelling on what-ifs and potential future scenarios, shift your attention to the present moment. It’s not just merely a abstract concept, our unique ability to shift our attention allows us to become engaged deeply in what we want to (and sometimes don’t want to) which is perfectly demonstrated in the state of ‘flow’ which is often utilised by athletes and high performers but can also be cultivated by us in everyday things with the same holistic effects. Simple daily incorporation can be slowing down for example, and savouring what we are doing by noticing as much as we can about it.
- Cultivate Resilience: Learning coping strategies, whether it’s through the skills learnt with 1:1 Mental Health Coaching or other forms of emotional intelligence, helps to better manage life’s uncertainties. Learning these skills is not just for when we are down and struggling, it’s about growing as a person. And we often wait until things are at their worst instead of preparing when we are stable and grounded. If you are learning the skills on your own, there is a lot of freely available information available to us nowadays, but it’s important to not be overwhelmed by it all. There’s a lot of bullshit out there, and it’s easy to become lost.
MEANING AS OUR COMPASS
In a world that seems increasingly unpredictable and fraught with challenges, the role of a meaning-centred approach becomes not just relevant but essential. This perspective, grounded in philosophical wisdom and psychological insights, serves as a potent counterweight to the ‘culture of fear’ that pervades modern life. It equips us not only with the tools to withstand external pressures but also fortifies our internal world, nurturing resilience, purpose, and a sense of connectedness.
As we confront uncertainties that life inevitably brings, we should remember that our greatest asset is not just material security but our innate human capacity for meaning-making. It’s not about sidestepping life’s complexities, but about facing them head-on, armed with values, a purpose-driven focus, and the ability to adapt and grow. In doing so, we move beyond mere survival to a life rich in significance, regardless of external circumstances.
