Why Questioning the Culture May Be a Sign of Health
“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.”
– Often attributed to Jiddu Krishnamurti
Have you ever felt like you just can’t keep up, no matter how hard you try? Like there’s something hollow at the centre of all the striving? Or that the way we’re told to live doesn’t quite make sense – not just for you personally, but for humanity as a whole?
If so, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.
What if your discomfort isn’t a sign of personal failure, but a sign of inner wisdom? What if that vague unease, or deep exhaustion, or persistent question – “Is this all there is?” – is actually a measure of health in a world that’s increasingly out of alignment?
This article explores some of the signs that our society is unwell and why noticing them may be the first step toward a different kind of life.
Environmental Breakdown and Climate Crisis
We are living in a time of ecological unravelling. Wildfires, floods, melting ice caps, vanishing species – signs that the Earth’s systems are straining under the weight of unchecked extraction and growth.
And yet, we carry on as though nothing is wrong.
We measure success in economic terms, even as the planet pays the price. A culture that treats the Earth as a resource to be exploited—rather than a relationship to be honoured—will inevitably sow the seeds of its own sickness.
Rising Mental Ill Health – Especially Among the Young
Despite technological advances and greater material comfort than ever before, mental distress is rising. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, and burnout are no longer exceptions – they’re common experiences.
Young people, in particular, are suffering. Many are growing up in a world that feels uncertain, overwhelming, and deeply disconnected from nature, meaning, and community.
In a society that devalues stillness, inner life, and emotional depth, it’s no wonder so many are struggling to stay well.
Vast Inequality
While a small number accumulate extreme wealth, millions struggle to meet basic needs. This isn’t just about money – it reflects a breakdown in empathy, ethics, and shared responsibility.
A system that rewards competition over compassion, and hoarding over contribution, cannot be called healthy.
When success is defined solely by individual gain, the social fabric begins to tear.
Busyness and Burnout as a Way of Life
We wear our exhaustion like a badge of honour. We call it ambition, resilience, hustle. But the truth is, many of us are simply overwhelmed.
A culture that values productivity over presence, and speed over depth, inevitably leads to burnout.
Rest is not a luxury. Reflection is not a waste of time. But in a society that glorifies doing, being is quietly forgotten.
Hyper-Individualism and Isolation
The myth of the self-made person runs deep. We’re taught that we should be able to do it all on our own – that needing others is weakness.
But humans are wired for connection.
When community is replaced by competition, and interdependence by independence, people feel increasingly alone—even when surrounded by others.
Consumerism as a Path to Fulfilment
Everywhere we look, we’re sold the idea that happiness lies just one purchase away. That we can shop our way to a meaningful life.
But consumption rarely satisfies. It often leaves us craving more or feeling less than.
In a society where identity is confused with image, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters.
Fragmented Attention and Shallow Connection
Our days are constantly interrupted by pings, scrolls, and swipes. Focus becomes elusive. Deep work, deep rest, and deep relationships all suffer.
In the name of connection, we’ve become more distracted than ever.
A culture that prioritises novelty over nourishment can leave us feeling unmoored – always plugged in, but rarely present.
What If It’s Not You That’s Broken?
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong, like you’re out of step with “the way things are,” it may not be a problem to fix. It may be a sign that you’re seeing clearly.
That restlessness, grief, or longing might be your inner compass pointing to something deeper—a quieter, truer way of living.
This isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.
A Quiet Rebellion of the Heart
There is another way. A slower, more soulful way of being. One that honours your values, your depth, your connection to the Earth and others.
It won’t be found in the mainstream – but it is growing at the edges, where people are quietly reimagining what it means to live well.
Through this work, I hope to offer a space to explore that alternative. A place where your discomfort becomes the doorway to a new kind of clarity. A more human, more honest, more hopeful life.
You don’t have to fit into a sick society. You’re allowed to step outside of it.
And you’re not alone.
Journal prompts:
- Which of these signs feels most true for you right now?
- Have you ever questioned whether the way we’re told to live is really serving your wellbeing?
- What small acts of quiet rebellion help you stay connected to what really matters?