The Quiet Rise of Loneliness in a Communal Culture

Is loneliness the next pandemic? I see it growing worldwide, but what's particularly striking is seeing it take root in Nepal, a culture built on the strength of community.

We are a culture where knowing what your neighbor is cooking for dinner is a given. Where children play in the streets together, and inviting friends and family to help you with an event is tradition. Collectivism isn't just a word here; it's the very soul of living in Nepal, and it's beautiful.

But recently, I’ve noticed a quiet contradiction. Underneath the warmth of our communal life, a hidden loneliness is thriving. I see people:

- Unknowingly hiding their loneliness by seeking solace in technology.
- Masking sadness with humor to deflect attention.
- Filling their schedules with work and social engagements to avoid having time to think or be alone.

This isn't just a personal struggle; it’s a quiet erosion of the very collectivism that defines us.

While navigating loneliness is a personal journey for each of us, I've found a way to navigate my own journey. In moments when the wave of loneliness rises, I turn to nature and animals. I also make it a point to initiate reaching out to friends to do things that make us happy, whether that's a hike, arcade games, or simply a chat over food.

This personal realization is also why we initiated pop-up events like "Chiya Guff" at Happy Minds. We created these non-therapy settings so that people can find like-minded individuals or simply have an honest conversation with us. 
Although the sessions has been inconsistent, there’s one happening on the 1st week of September.