Why Is Rugged Individualism Still Revered?

Migration, monotype created by Michelle Lindblom

In my early 30’s I visited a therapist when I needed help with some relationship dilemmas. At the base of those issues were my unrealistic expectations of others, a common toxic thread in many relationships and daily life. The therapist caught on quickly that avoiding my personal quandaries led me to judge the actions and characteristics of others.

My judgements were a mirror of my own denied and undesirable traits. Furthermore, when I was not able to live up to my own standards, I judged others in hopes of raising myself up.

Standard human behavior.

Judgement’s Foundation — Rugged Individualism

The community I grew up in was as whitewashed and conventional as many small communities in mid-America. Void of much cultural diversity. Judgement and prejudice were deeply ingrained but unspoken. Hidden below the surface so as not to ruffle feathers or stir up the status quo. Everyone acted normal to fit the expectations of the community.

Survival.

Playing along to fit in, I always felt like an outsider in my own community and at times in my own family.

Which meant the onus was on me. I was to blame for feeling abnormal and for feeling a certain level of shame. Thus, the reason I finally sought therapy at 30 years old.

I kept it a secret because it was outside the realm of what normal people do or so I thought at the time.

I was brought up under the guise of the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” kind of individualism. Reaching out for professional help was weak, expensive and for all intents and purposes, useless.

Rugged individualism has gotten me through, but more often than not, left me hollow. Feeling alone, not always lonely, but left to my own devices. Trusting few while internally judging others as incapable of assisting me in any purposeful way.

What is Normal?

The definition of normal is conforming to the standard or common type, usual, not abnormal. What does that really mean and who decides?

Is normal a static way of being?

Why is the pursuit for individual rather than common or collective interests rated with higher regard in our society?

I have come to believe that rugged individualism is based in fear: fear of others, fear of rejection, fear of failing, fear of appearing weak, fear of love, fear of diversity, fear of being shamed. These fears are all based upon deeply held beliefs and judgements of others and, of course, ourselves.

If we go it alone, we are not beholden to anyone or anything. A pretty lonely and empty existence.

What purpose does that belief system serve? Why go it alone?

Everything is Fine?

When you spend most of your childhood, teens, twenties and thirties, consciously and/or unconsciously judging others, it seems almost impossible to break those ingrained cultural behavioral patterns.

It takes conscious effort to move out of our individual and like-minded group bubbles to realize how destructive those judgmental behaviors can be to individuals and communities at large. Coming to terms with learned behaviors that no longer serve the greater good.

I have found it easy to talk about, but not always easy to act upon. The learning curve is steep, but not impossible.

How does one escape the sterile environment of their youth? My upbringing was seemed safe. But was it? Safe because no one said anything out of the ordinary for fear of being judged? Or safe because true feelings, personal traumas, disappointing inadequacies were stuffed below the surface, so as not to stick out beyond what was considered normal and sane.

On the surface, everything appeared fine.

The “everything is fine” mantra has always lead to individual and group suffering which manifests itself in passive aggressive behavior, anxieties, depression, addiction, physical/verbal/sexual abuse and a myriad of other issues. We are forever experiencing what results when acting “normal” is the standard.

Time to Shed

So much time wasted playing the “normal” game. I spent years acting the part knowing deep down I was not being true to myself. Denial. Even if I did listen, I seemed incapable of acting, out of fear. The truth lay dormant.

I have spent a great deal of time living for and judging what others need. This affliction is more often gifted to the female gender.

My judgment frequently came packaged in a passive aggressive box. Fulfilling the expectations of others while rage me.

Now when I catch myself making judgments, I pivot to the reasons why. Why am I putting myself into the heads of others? Who am I to know what they are going through. Do I want people judging me for those reasons?

The mirror reflects.

My desire is to help others without judging their need for my assistance. It is not easy to withhold my two cents. I have to make a conscious effort to keep my mouth shut, listen, observe and act with empathy.

Empathy = Connection

Compassion and respect for ourselves and others does not come easily in our hyper judgmental society. The mantra “You are not like me and do not share my views, therefore you are the enemy.”, drives so much of the narrative these days.

Counterproductive to a world starved for connection.

Being confined to our safe and siloed spaces makes it difficult to seek connections beyond the false barriers created.

I consciously work to counter my judgments with compassion. This is how I begin to understand that everyone has a story and deserves to be treated humanely and with respect. Facing differences for what they are is how to move beyond the judgements. This takes intense conscious effort.

My experiences living and traveling outside my comfort vault has allowed me to reach a basic level of compassion. I have purposefully exposed myself to the amazing diversity that exists in the world. But it took a life altering trauma like my daughter’s substance use disorder to understand the more intimate underpinnings of my own judgmental behavior. What compassion really means.

People’s stories are always changing so my levels of empathy and responsiveness have had to adjust accordingly. It is a constant.

Manifesting through Art and Writing

What I continue to seek is respite from some of the judgmental noise that negatively infiltrates my being. I find that respite through writing and spending time in my studio where my conscious and subconscious self can release onto the paper and the canvas.

Not only do I unburden the hidden judgements, the trauma, the rejections, that I carry deep within my soul, but they become visual. The work I create connects me to others seeking some truth beyond what is labeled “normal” and to do so without judgement.

The myth of rugged individualism no longer serves me. It honestly no longer serves anyone. The universe is working hard to wake us up to the grace of empathy for our fellow human beings.

But it is one thing to awaken and another to act.

Image

Migration, 24” x 18” monotype - This piece was a nuanced and subconscious response to moving on from the past to this moment in time. A migration from false burdens that weigh us down. They may have served a purpose at some point, but are no longer needed for our personal growth. The plants are a metaphor for renewal and represent the chance for daily transformations.

Michelle Lindblom Studio

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