A Healing Journey: Cultural Identity, Connection, and Belonging in a Polarized World

The current reality for many of us is that we are disconnected and divided by a myriad of external forces. The finger pointing blame game rhetoric propagated in the news, social media, and in many social circles. This propaganda is intentionally designed to manipulate and polarize us through fear-mongering and creating separation from fundamental human needs that make us feel safe, secure, and unified.

“The human heart is too grand to be wasted in the gutter of cultural exclusivity.” –Abhijit Naskar

Fear cleaves community cohesion and breeds bad behavior. There is so much audible and visual pollution spewing conflicting ideologies, narratives, and labels that can make it hard to know where we fit in.

Think about this for a minute. Can you relate to this?

Positive Cultural Identity Breed Well-Being

When we are aligned and in flow with ourselves and communities we feel good and at home in our own skin. We feel a sense of “placeness” and connection to each other. We operate better in the world.

Our cultural identity, being connected, and feeling like we belong are rudimentary human needs. They help shape our sense of self, our relationships, and concretize our place in society.

In my view, society needs to reappraise the value and place of these needs in order to progress. This demands that we individually embark on a healing journey towards greater acceptance of ourselves and our cultural identity. Regardless of our heritage or beliefs, we all want the same basic things out of life.

Tips For The Healing Journey

• Outsource Support from friends, family, peers, and professionals.
• Engage in pleasurable healing modalities such as art, music, athletics, movement, nature.
• Transform pain into purpose by channeling your experience into opportunities for growth and service
• Let go and forgive because it makes space for something better than pain and suffering.
• Be kind to yourself and others by practicing compassion and gratitude.
• Stand in solidarity by being the ally you wish to know by advocating for dignity and equality.

When we nurture our cultural identities, take responsibility for healing our wounds, and foster a sense of connection and belonging everyone wins. The benefits are more resilience, bridge-building, and inclusivity for a more compassionate society.

Like what you’re reading? Want more consciously prepared brain food about this topic?

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode: Cultural Identity, Healing, and Belonging with Soo Jin Lee LMFT and Linda Yoon LCSW wherever you get your podcasts.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

SOO JIN LEE, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, executive director of Yellow Chair Collective, and cofounder of Entwine Community.

LINDA YOON, LCSW, is a licensed therapist and social worker who has dedicated her career to helping people along their healing journey find a sense of belonging.

Disclaimer: This communication is for information only and does not constitute mental health treatment nor is it indicative of a therapeutic relationship. Individuals in need of treatment for mental health or psychological concerns should seek out services from appropriate mental healthcare professionals.