As much as I've prided myself on being emotionally self-sufficient, able to endure being an 'outsider' and cut-off from the swim of things, I think I've undervalued my own desire to be accepted by others. Whilst I can live a pretty happy life without the approval or endorsement of my culture, or even of any sub-group, I think that to truly reach my potential capacity for joy and life satisfaction I would require some level of genuine belonging or social acceptance. Stoic endurance against disdain or disapproval is not enough. I want society to change so as to count me on the 'inside', for people like me be represented, even celebrated. Being politely ignored is not good enough. Yet I also know that it won't change in my lifetime. Society is not ready. Being a lone voice crying in the wilderness is tiring, and dispiriting. I don't want to be always fighting or arguing for inclusion, banging on the gates. I want to be welcomed within without fuss or effort. With smiles. As I am.
That makes sense, everyone wants to feel a sense of belonging - it’s in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I imagine some people feel it more than others and we all feel it more or less at different points in our lives, but I think most people (or even everyone) can relate to this feeling in some way or another. Of course, the cause will be different for everyone. It is hard, though, when there’s no clear way to create that sense of belonging or it seems unlikely to happen any time soon. Hopefully you can find it among some people, if not yet society as a whole.
Thank you. I too hope I can find it at least amongst some group. But it seems very unlikely, tbh. Fortitude may be the only option for present. Oh well. There's worse things in the world than being a lone wolf.
Forgive me if i am being to simplistic. This group of people is apart of society and we accept you, you are apart of society. Sometimes when your fighting all the time you forget to look at the small things and appreciate them and this forum is one of those small things.
I think it's an ongoing search for a group, or a person, that would give us the validation and belonging we need as human beings. There's nothing to do but keep searching. Take care.