Have you noticed what seem to be paradoxes in your character? Being connected online yet without signal for in-person interaction. No judgement here, as lyricised beautifully by Niall Horan ‘when you’re with me no judgement’. The ironic thing about including that is I’m drawn to express myself through regurgitation of anothers art. If we wonder whether there is a healthy balance between community and individualism, it’s worth noting how much we can talk about ourselves without reaching for the company to do so. So long as we spend quality time with our private selves, we better understand what informs the one in which we show to others. The lines can be blurred where personal tokens boost community through common interest, vulnerabilities, and genres to engage spirits. In this way, the relationship maintains healthy standing. Though if your right to express individuality comes at a cost in the name of keeping group peace - scales may tilt. Moreover, it is not simply doom and gloom but informative. Tilting may well be natural as we navigate the course of life and at some moments need something tangible to lean on. Some find utmost value in having their time outside necessitating being a social creature. Care then needs to be taken to not erase personal standing. What works for one might not for some other and that is the beauty of finding idiosyncracies within community. There is caution to be had wherein those with vulnerabilities, for instance, are targeted by bigger entities. To keep by you a toolkit for self-compassion and growth will allow people to enter your life without reliance on them for being whole. A journal prompt: what about community brings out the best in your individualism and vice versa? Follow that. If you seek membership, meet them half-way.