Like Bruno of Disney's 2021 animated feature, many of us still don't really know how to talk about what we feel, discern and are experiencing in this new "Post-Covid” reality. A renewed focus on mental health has helped some get the necessary care they need, but as a collective of culture it seems most of us are simply just trying to move on. We struggle to know how to talk about what is really happening at large in our culture's "zeitgeist".
Zeitgeist is defined as "the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time." Whether you're reading Galatians 4, Colossians 2, or Ephesians 2…one thing is clear; every age of world history is guided by a culturally dominant thought process that shapes our collective identity (Reconstruction Era, Industrial Age, Information Age, etc).
So what's the big deal about the Post-Covid age? To be sure, all of these factors of our modern culture (below) have been growing even before the pandemic arrived. The fact is the pandemic just turbo-charged these changes in our highly isolated and hyper-individualized culture.
Outside of personal counseling appointments, we simply have very few tools and conversations about what we all just went through, and what we're all currently experiencing. Just to name one: the uncharted territory of a loneliness epidemic, especially amongst young adults. According to a 2022 Cigna study, 79% of adults 18-27 reported continual feelings of loneliness.
As a recent example, I just had lunch with a 24 year old friend yesterday. We reunited after 8 years of living in different cities, and before that we used to be very close. Over beef tips and beers we talked for about an hour in a small downtown bar in my hometown. He explained to me that the biggest personal issue he is facing right now is extreme loneliness and feeling overworked to keep ends met. I know you have friends or similar stories. It's evident and growing all around us.
There are three primary factors I’d like to geek out a bit on with you; The 'Atomization', 'Seduction', and 'Maximization' of our culture. I strongly feel our current post-pandemic zeitgeist can be boiled down to these three descriptors, and there is plentiful research to show for each (though not nearly enough space to include in this blog post).
Post-Covid Factor 1: Atomization
This theory refers to "the tendency for society to be made up of a collection of self-interested and largely self-sufficient individuals, operating as separate atoms." Therefore, all social values, institutions, developments and activities evolve entirely out of the interests and actions of the individuals who inhabit any particular society.
In other words, there are very few shared spaces any more in our lives. Covid forced us to find meaning on our own. We've largely forgotten how to do this with others.
Where coffee shops used to be gathering places for real dialogue with complete strangers, now you order on your phone and pull thru the drive thru, or run in and run out. Instead of belonging to shared spaces for community and meaning- people are now being bombarded with endless opportunities, options and possibilities for themselves to create and 'brand' their own meaning.
Quick self-test: Outside of your workplace and your home, what shared social space have you been in this week where you had a meaningful conversation with more than 3 people? If you're a part of CREO that's a little unfair - perhaps ask this question to a few random people you run into in your own community.
Post-Covid Factor 2: Seduction
Not only in a sexual sense, but in a ‘seduced’ post-economic crisis environment, the aspects and power of ‘seduction’ are within visual communication, persuading the viewer to overreact negatively or positively, typically by manipulative means. 'Cancel Culture' is just one segment of this cultural zeitgeist. We create spaces where extremes become more extreme, and everything becomes an ethical problem that needs to be addressed.
Painted in another way, seductionism means we are self-exploited with our very lives…we do it to ourselves. Instead of a culture of shared values or ‘shoulds' - outside pressures from shared values - we now find ourselves bombarded and doom-scrolling the multi-universe of could’s - being seduced into the things that we choose to be about.
For instance, we once went to the market and chose the places and products we shop for. Seductionism is that we are seduced by the volume of options on sites like Amazon - endless could’s. Instead of shopping for the product, WE have become the product and we are the ones being bought and sold. The attention we give to our devices is the new commodity of our age. The screens in front of our faces (data says up to 4 hrs a day for most adult cell phone users) seduce us towards everything and anything. And if we aren’t bumping into it ourselves, we are often creating it at the tips of our own fingers to seduce others.
There was a day when people collectively gathered around radio and TV sets, with only a few options and a limited time segment before being forced to do something else…or stay bored and do nothing.
We now are seduced with endless buffets of Spotify, podcasts, YouTube channels… all with personal viewing privacy and limitless and unlimited mobile internet access. Early versions of static websites have become endless social feeds to consume and commodify us as the product. Remember when a few theater screens were the place to be in your local community? Now we endlessly scroll streaming services in our home theaters, where we often sit alone in the dark.
Quick self-test: At home tonight try keeping your phone plugged in the wall charger/cord all night long without having it on your person…yes, all night. Dust off the old alarm clock to wake you up from bed. Instead of reaching for your phone first thing in the morning, reach for a water glass and spend 5 minutes thanking God for your previous day and practice mindful contemplative prayer for the day ahead.
Post-Covid Factor 3: Maximization
Perhaps an over-simplification, maximization is the consistent pressure to make the single best choice to improve yourself or a situation, rather than a choice that is good enough. In other words it is the difference between contentment with where and who you are, and the constant "hustle" to be increasingly better in your behavior, performance or appearance. "Be your best self" is a cultural axiom illustrating this piece of our zeitgeist. It leaves us in a constant state of perpetual motion, pressure and high performance. There is never time for us to find true rest and recovery.
I recently heard a friend of mine say that he was doing a life-inventory to be more efficient in his daily activities and relationships. I tried to lovingly affirm his desire to practice personal development, but I also expressed care and concern that he wasn't fully understanding the love of our Papa God who is thrilled about who he is NOW. Behind his life inventory plan was a tone of not being happy with himself, shame, guilt, and being overwhelmed with life. Covid did this to many people. We all felt overwhelmed with the lack of control, certainty, structure, all the while societal order turned into chaos. I made sure my friend knew that he can rest in his Heavenly Father’s presence, and allow Him to do the work of growth and maturity on God's own timeline. I hope he truly can find the peace, satisfaction and contentment that his soul longs for.
We are becoming a culture addicted to maximization and exhaustion. The messages we have in front of us show us hacks to do better, be better, etc. They force us into continual motion, trying to maximize all aspects of our lives, competing against each other and being jealous of one another. Just Google search, "10 Ways to Maximize ________” and you'll see what this zeitgeist is all about.
Quick self-test: Google search, "10 Ways to Maximize ________.” Write down the top search results you see and compare them to experiencing true contentment in your own life. Do these search results give you any anxiety or compulsion to click further?
Summary
Friend, can I encourage you to share this with someone? You or someone close to you needs to know that they are loved just as they are right now, and that they were built to be loved in close community, both with others and with God. Let's call out the lies of "if you only did this, or had this, or knew this person you’d be…."
Can we move away from being seduced by so many things around us, and spend 1 or 2 reflective/contemplative moments each day? Simply start by sharing with God what you're thankful for, and even share that with others! Maybe make that a habit to do that with a group of 2-3 friends over a cocktail each week?
Instead of being atomized, can we stay connected with a few friends, our families, our community workers…to once again experience meaningful connection, satisfaction, and joy?
You may want to use the language in this article to help people talk about what we all just went through these last few years. Shared language leads to shared community, shared values and shared purpose.
Jesus began with his 3, 12 and 72. Let's trust Him the same in our own cultural moment, open our hearts for true healing together, and help others better understand the zeitgeist around us.
Jeff is Director of CREO Collaborations. He encourages people to connect, get coaching, and collaborate with others in their own cities to express Jesus' Kingdom in creative ways.
If you are struggling with other mental health needs, please reach out to our CREO Movement Team and we will work together to give you real access to people who can help.