The article discusses the concept of belonging and introduces the term 'otroverts' to describe individuals who connect deeply with others but resist merging their identity with groups. While humans are wired for connection from birth, belongingâinstinctive attachment to a groupâis a learned sentiment that often comes with costs such as conformity and exclusion of others. Otroverts form personal, chosen relationships, allowing them to engage without losing their individuality or succumbing to group identity, ultimately suggesting that standing apart can be a sign of integrity rather than isolation.
Belonging is a learned sentiment, carefully impressed upon us by the culture into which we happen to be born. It offers promises that often come at a steep cost.
Most people internalize belonging without question, as natural as breathing, but otroverts resist this conditioning, connecting deeply yet refusing group identity.
An otrovert may be deeply affectionate and sociable but lacks a desire for collective identityârelationships are personal, not mediated by nationality or ideology.
Standing apart can be a form of integrity, not isolation, allowing otroverts to love without necessitating alignment with the group's identity.
Collection
[
|
...
]