The Paradox We Crave

This world seems designed to make us want to attach to something, as there’s nothing in the human experience that’s truly guaranteed. Before we’re born, most of our memories are erased, and although this life is just a human experience, we often treat our emotions as if they define everything. We do everything we can to numb our feelings.

Attachment provides us with a sense of safety and helps protect our vulnerable minds to some extent. However, I find it problematic that we label excessive attachment as addiction. Attachment can be a strength—it allows us to hold onto something and not rely on others for our emotional well-being. Yet, we often feel so much guilt for this dependence that it becomes harder to face our pain and escape the cycle of addiction.

What I’m trying to say is that addiction often starts as a self-soothing behavior, and it shouldn’t necessarily be seen as something to punish ourselves for.

The world is full of things that numb our emotions. If we keep giving up our ability to accept all of our feelings, I believe the universe—or the simulation itself—will create more experiences to push us to feel. I truly hope those experiences aren’t painful ones, like natural disasters or diseases that cause widespread harm.

It is quite paradoxical that our self-defense mechanism, which is meant to protect us, becomes addicted to peace, and in response, the universe pushes us to become more vulnerable.