The psychological value of the arts
7.5 billion people in the world and somehow we find ways to be consistently lonely. How is it that we can interact with dozens, maybe even hundreds of people in a given day and yet when our heads hit the pillow we can feel so invisible, insignificant, and alone. No matter how much we value individuality and no matter how much we wish to reject the norm we are all hardwired to crave and seek belonging; some kind of trait or experience that links us with the rest of humanity; in other words, normalcy. Our error lies in our concept of what is normal. The picture we paint in our minds of what is normal for humanity is often skewed because of our inherent biases. I know what happens between my ears but there is no way that anyone else is experiencing what I am. Everyone else seems to have it together when you are at your most anxious. You feel certain that you have thoughts about others that are meaner, sillier, or more sexual than any "normal person" would ever have. You mu...