Am I just getting old or has the world gone "Delulu"?!

Originally published on LinkedIn.

As I much as I am in denial about being in my early 40s, I increasingly find myself wondering - has the world gone "delulu" or am I just getting old?

 For context, "delulu" is slang for being delusional or detached from reality. I only recently stumbled across this term (via a LinkedIn trending topic) and realized...I have no idea if this is common knowledge or another sign I'm losing touch!

My perspective is shaped by coming of age as the personal computer and internet were emerging. The world seems to move so quickly now with the proliferation of social media, advancements in tech and AI, and the constant onslaught of information. I also grew up at a time when the UK at least wasn't tuned into the importance of mental health. But I now increasingly find myself struggling with cognitive overload and anxiety about everything that is going on.

 So many current events make me scratch my head as they just seem bonkers and the world is upside down. Increasing inequality and cost of living, polarisation of society over political issues like Brexit, the insanity of the war in Ukraine, our disconnection with nature (yet we are very much biological beings reliant on the ecosystem around us), sustainability and climate change. I don't recall the world feeling this chaotic, unstable or incomprehensible when I was younger.

 Is "permacrisis" a new thing - or are we just aware of our collective challenges these days?

 But is it the world that's gone delulu? Or is it just my own rigidifying perspective? Perhaps at a certain age, we all struggle to adapt to changing cultural tides and news cycles?

 While I don't have answers, I hope reflecting openly on this feeling of disconnect resonates with others. We all must find ways to understand each other across generations and adapt to rapidly changing eras.

 I invite perspectives from my connections from across generations on how you perceive this cultural moment. Help me gain insight into the worldview of those outside my bubble.

 Do you have things that you've found work to help navigate these chaotic times? At what age did you start to feel out of sync with the world? Are we all just becoming delulu?

BTW the topic of how in touch we are with reality (the main thrust of the #delulu thing) is another post in itself for another time - an important part of self awareness.

#mentalhealth #delulu

In compliance with the Claude 2 terms and conditions - full disclosure Claude helped me articulate and edit this piece. Although that didn't stop me making a typo in the original headline (maybe as I decided to come up with that myself?!)

Originally published on LinkedIn.