Notes to Self – What if there is no nemesis

Here is a thought experiment for you – what does life look like without any enemies? ?Batman is celebrated as the ultimate vigilante—fighting crime, saving Gotham, and standing for justice. But at the core of his character is something deeper: unresolved trauma. Do his infamous nemeses—villains like the Joker, Bane, or the Riddler—Batman allow Bruce Wayne to avoid confronting his own inner pain, his own growth via fighting crime. The villains, ironically, give Batman purpose, but that purpose seems to not allow him to grow. Without them, his relentless crusade against Gotham’s underworld what would Batman have to do?? Spend time with Bruce Wayne and get comfortable being Bruce.

At the heart of Batman’s origin is the violent murder of his parents. Bruce Wayne donned the cape and cowl, directing his energy outward by fighting villains. ?Batman’s villains play a crucial role here. They keep him busy, give him something tangible to fight against, and justify his nightly patrols of Gotham. If there were no villains, no external forces to confront, what would be the path for Bruce Wayne? Would be forced to look inward. He would have to face the grief, anger, and fear that have shaped him since childhood.? Sometime life is easier by having enemies.? An evil force to battle, someone opposing you, giving purpose to your day and your existence. This can serve as a distraction from any inner turmoil.

Isn’t life sometimes easier when we have external enemies to fight? Whether it's a nemesis or some abstract "other," having someone or something to blame can distract us from confronting our own emotional struggles. I remember growing up with a story in my head—one about "them" trying to keep us down. "Them" was this faceless group of rich, powerful people. That narrative gave me motivation. It fueled my drive to prove myself, to not let "them" win. But eventually, I had to confront the reality that this narrative was no longer serving me. It became clear that my real battle was with myself, not some external enemy.

Ultimately, Batman’s greatest battle is not with the Joker, the Riddler, or Bane. Bruce Wayne built a fortress around himself, avoiding the emotional work necessary for healing. The villains give him a purpose, but they also keep him from addressing the deeper issues at play.

So, what about us? Have we created our own enemies to avoid confronting ourselves? Like Batman, we can get caught in a cycle of external battles, distracting ourselves from the work we need to do within. Perhaps the real question is: What villains do we need to stop fighting so we can face what we’ve been avoiding all along?