It’s a new year…

…but the world is filled with the same old problems.

And the problems in our world have led to an epidemic of loneliness and meaninglessness.

But what has created this?

Noted psychiatrist and philosopher Iain McGilchrist posits the following explanation: “We are experiencing a crisis in meaning. Not coincidentally, far more of us than ever before…live divorced from Nature, alienated from the structures and traditions of a stable society, and indifferent to the divine. These three elements have always been what has provided us with an overarching sense of belonging.”

I think this is an astute and accurate observation.

So, what if we took this observation and reverse-engineered it?

Could the reasons for our crisis in meaning also be the answer to experiencing more meaning in life?

What would happen if we prioritized the “three elements” mentioned by McGilchrist that “has provided us with an overarching sense of belonging”?

What would happen if you prioritized the following in 2025…

1. Connect to nature – establish a weekly, quarterly, and annual routine of being in nature. This could be as simple as finding a walking trail near you or as involved as planning a wilderness adventure.
2. Build stabilizing traditions back into your life that connect you with a community – create rhythms such as eating dinner together as a family without phones, inviting the neighbors over for a cookout, attending church weekly, volunteering in your community, caring for friends during times of need, etc.
3. Embrace the divine – instead of just growing professionally, grow spiritually by developing habits that increase your awareness of God.

So, what could you do in 2025 to connect to nature, build stabilizing traditions, and embrace the divine?

Take 10 minutes to write down your thoughts, ideas, and options. Then, create a plan for each area – and keep it simple.

By embracing these three priorities with a detailed plan of action, you can create a year filled with more meaning and belonging.

Let’s make 2025 a great one!