Finding Your Tribe
@Marisawriter (62)
Australia
December 12, 2020 7:07pm CST
My "pop psychology" thought for the day. I've come to the conclusion that every human being NEEDS to feel part of a tribe. It's a fundamental part of our nature.
I know that for many people, their "tribe" is their nation. But for me, my "tribe" became the dance community, no matter where I was in the world.
I see that a lot in people who are passionate about something, and it makes sense. After all, a tribe is a group of people who have a shared bond. I feel a much closer bond to someone who shares my love of dance, than to someone who just happened to be born on the same patch of land as I was.
It's a pity that tribalism so often goes too far. It's great to feel you "belong" to a tribe, but people ought to respect the tribes of others. Whereas in practice, people too often see other tribes as enemies, instead of respecting their right to hold their own views.
5 people like this
5 responses
@sissy15 (12290)
• United States
13 Dec 20
I like the thought of this. In the US we don't all simply feel like we are one big tribe because we live on the same land...honestly we barely like each other due to different political views more often than not we are at each other's throats for a difference in opinion. I guess here some people's tribe might be their political party. Since I abhor politics I'd have to say mine would be fellow introverts who love writing and reading and watching movies and mostly socializing online because they find they don't like talking to many people in person. I feel I can connect with people better who are like-minded. I don't mind differing viewpoints but I also don't like arguing all the time or listening to someone rant at me. It's easier when I can talk about books and movies. It's less stressful for me. I just like people who get that partying isn't my thing and who don't feel like trying to drag me out of the house to socialize. I like socializing once in a while but I find it incredibly tiring and people like me just understand.
2 people like this
@Marisawriter (62)
• Australia
13 Dec 20
I think you are right, I get the impression that the political parties are "tribes" for a lot of Americans.
2 people like this
@sissy15 (12290)
• United States
13 Dec 20
@Marisawriter Probably the majority. I'm one of a smaller handful that doesn't like them. I am also one of a handful who doesn't affiliate with either major political party. I vote and then I leave it at that but everyone wants to know who you voted for and I never tell because I don't want the discussions that come with it or to be told I'm a moron etc. the US is odd in that they can be really friendly or they can be incredibly mean and rude. You're basically fine until you talk of anything of real importance after that you really learn who people are here and what "tribe" they belong to.
1 person likes this
@Marisawriter (62)
• Australia
13 Dec 20
@sissy15 - In Australia, it's regarded as rude to ask who you voted for
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@Jodah06 (44)
• Australia
15 Dec 20
Yes, I agree, humans have probably never really evolved from the tribe mentality. Most of us need to belong to a group of likeminded individuals, whether it be your dance tribe, a church fellowship, large family group, a sporting club, or a tribe of fellow writers or artists. But, yes, we should all respect the tribes of others. As for political parties in Australia, I don't even know who my extended family members vote for, let alone friends and colleagues. Sometimes you may be able to guess by things they say in conversation, but one never asks.
1 person likes this
@Marisawriter (62)
• Australia
15 Dec 20
It's interesting when you think about life like that. I realise that one of the reasons I've been having a "late life crisis" in my latefifties/early sixties is that my tribe has always been dancing. I am now too old to perform - and though I've managed to hang around in the background as a helper and supporter, it's not the same. I feel like an outsider now! I need to work out what my tribe is going to be as I move into old age...
@RebeccasFarm (89739)
• Arvada, Colorado
16 Dec 20
Who is that in the photo I love it??
Oh yes though my family now is separated by circumstance, we had always been extremely tribal. I know it first hand. You are quite right about it Marisa.
Irish Mother and we are deep deep in our Celtic roots.
@NateB11 (816)
• United States
20 Mar 21
I agree that we are accustomed to joining our separate groups but I disagree about its value. I think it's a bad idea to put out this energy of separatism at all. To get together with people with common interests is one thing; to psychologically identify with with it as a separate identity and group is another. The former is a relatively natural occurrence, the latter is the basis of violence and hate. Probably sounds like I'm going overboard but I'm really not. This is how the idea get stuck in the global psyche; that we must be separate.
