When We Become Strangers
How Loneliness Leaks Into Our Lives, And What We Can Do About It
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
'A timely warning shot over our collective bows...reminds us that awareness without action is worthless. A thought-provoking and challenging look into our future.' - Michael Carr-Gregg, psychologist and bestselling author
'Restores hope and gives simple, practical steps we can all take to feel safe and connected; as we build a new way of living and turn around the estrangement we all feel.' - Katrina Cavanough, CEO, The Kindness On Purpose Movement
After decades of affluence, we're busier than ever, but leaving the house less and less. While we renovate our homes and bodies, and binge on Netflix, Uber Eats, and online shopping, depression and anxiety is soaring. Is it possible that our society's constant need for connectivity is messing with our brains, and alienating us from what's really important? Is this why we're losing our ability to engage meaningfully with our communities, or stay in touch with the natural world? And given that so many of our kids lack one-on-one attention and regular touch, are we raising this new generation to be profoundly lonely?
Right now, many of our relationships at home, at work, and with our friends, are struggling. What are the best ways back to belonging, and what might a more engaged sense of community look like?
Maggie Hamilton, author of What Men Don't Talk About, What's Happening to Our Boys? and What's Happening to Our Girls? explores our growing loneliness with care and rigour, and proposes practical solutions and an uplifting vision to combat the increasing social isolation in our families and communities.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The world is suffering from an "epidemic of loneliness," according to this helpful guide from clinical psychologist Hamilton (What's Happening to Our Girls?). Though "feelings of estrangement" driven by social media, increasing workloads and job stress, loss of faith in government and other public institutions, and the "wall-to-wall entertainment" available on personal devices have been on the rise for years, according to Hamilton, the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. She offers advice on how to avoid becoming a "silo" in the workplace and in one's community, and encourages parents to limit their children's unstructured screen time and help them build social skills by talking to neighbors and shopkeepers. Throughout, Hamilton emphasizes the importance of building bridges with people who have different interests, backgrounds, and sociopolitical views, though her advice for finding common ground ("difference is challenging, until we learn to relax around each other and give people a go") is somewhat vague. Still, readers nostalgic for a more bipartisan era and those looking to overcome social anxieties will be encouraged by this earnest call for change.
