It is something simpler…
The news lately has been filled with articles about the potential collapse of America, with people discussing a decline in democracy and a potential authoritarian takeover. Everyone is predicting a dystopian future for that country and globally. What will be important in the coming years, and how can we prepare for potential collapse, whether economic, environmental, or societal?
During my recent visit to Granada, I witnessed a heartwarming interaction between a homeless woman and the residents of a nearby building. Despite being in the minority, she had found her place on a bench and was engaged in friendly conversation with those around her about the weather and the day ahead.
Even when approached by someone from RED CROSS, she was treated with kindness and respect as if she were just another member of their community. It was shocking but in a pleasant way. This was how society should treat the homeless—with humanity and compassion, not as garbage or a burden.
At that moment, I felt thankful to live in a place like Granada, where the sense of community is palpable. It made me realize how truly fortunate I am.
I live in a nearby village, and I can assure you that community is the most valuable currency of our era and will continue to be in the future.
Last month, we celebrated a chestnut festival. The mayor generously provided and cooked over 200kg of chestnuts for the whole community to enjoy. The air was filled with music and a vibrant atmosphere. You can feel the sense of community in the air.
Yesterday, I read this story, PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MONEY DURING COLLAPSE, where the author states:
Community is the only thing that holds value in all collapse scenarios. After the Camp Fire and Helene, communities came together to clean up and help provide people with necessities.
As things worsen, the migration is from cash to barter to community.
You can skip stocks, crypto, and gold altogether without missing out on a damn thing.
I agree with him. Forget about money, stocks, and cryptos. They are only useful to a point.
Stop consuming and start creating or learning skills.
People who are attached to hustle and money will suffer in the near future.
Having lived in nine different countries, I have found that people often believe there is no sense of community in big cities. However, my experience has been that this is only true in the US, where individualism and an "every man for himself" mentality reign supreme.
I have lived in major cities like Denver, Los Angeles, and DC, as well as small towns like Morristown, Green Mountain Falls, and Manitou Springs.
Regardless of size, these places had a weak sense of community. Everyone was always too busy to connect with others.
On the other hand, when I lived in Zurich, Durban, and Stockholm, I immediately felt a strong sense of community. Therefore, the belief that it's challenging to find your tribe in big cities is a myth. The availability of community depends more on the country's culture and mindset rather than its size or urbanization.
Even in the United States, there has been a shift in mindset from community to consumerism. In the 1950s, ླྀs, and ྂs, there was a strong sense of community in the US, but the growing prevalence of consumerism, technology, and individualism gradually destroyed it.
Community meant just that, a group of people all working together for the community, something that now seems to be a distant memory as now it seems to be me, me, me, not community.
Earning a lot of money will become problematic in the near future, as the oligarchs have ensured that only a tiny percentage of people, like 0.1, will have access to wealth. That is why, for me, it's easier to focus on creating a community rather than striving for millionaire status.
Before I left the US in 2018, I visited my friend and confided in her about how lonely I felt after living in the country for so many years. I shared that I was searching for a sense of community. To my surprise, she told me there was no such thing as a community anywhere in the world anymore. She has been living in Fort Lee, NJ, for over ten years but doesn't even know her neighbors.
I proved her wrong because I did find one. Even in hyper-individualistic countries, I believe humans can form tribes and thrive on that sense of community again.
And no tight community doesn't mean communism.
Connection is what defines humanity and promotes mental wellness. We rely on each other, and loneliness does not suit us. It can be detrimental to our well-being.
If you've been reading my stories for a while, you should know the key to a happy life. It's not about how much money is in your bank account, stock portfolio, or house size. The most important things are having shelter and food and being part of a supportive community. And let's not forget to have a fulfilling hobby to keep yourself grounded and sane. Everything else is just a distraction from what truly matters.