This is not a guide in the traditional sense. You won't find any career recommendations, tables of future industries or tips on the perfect job application here. Instead, it's about something deeper: attitude, orientation and the ability to see clearly - at a time when many things are no longer sustainable.
There are times in life when you feel inside that things can't stay the way they were. Not because you are suddenly dissatisfied. But because you can see that the world around you is changing - and not for the better. Many people today feel this quiet pain. A tugging in the background that won't go away. The feeling that what has been sold to us for decades as "security" has less and less to do with reality.
I ignored this pain for a long time. For too long. Like many people, I was too comfortable, too busy, too functional. But at some point, something changed. And I started to take a closer look. Not to complain - but to be honest. This article is the result of that honesty.
A look back at another country
When I think back to my childhood and youth - the 1980s, the early 90s - I remember a different Germany. Not better, not more romantic, but: more real. More solid. Slower. More substance-oriented.
Back then, there was a phone booth in every village. And it didn't belong to some anonymous mobile phone company - but to the German Federal Post Office. The post office was state-owned. The railroads were state-owned. The pension fund was solid. The water came from municipal utilities. The infrastructure was not always modern, but it belonged to us. And it worked. It was a country in which ownership was still associated with responsibility - not speculation.
Less choice - but more reliability
There were three TV channels. And if you opened an account, it wasn't with some app, but with the local savings bank - with the advisor you knew. What was missing was speed. What was there was structure.
Of course, not everything was good. There was bureaucracy, there was slowness, there were missed opportunities. But there was also something that hardly anyone knows today: a sense of stability. You had the impression that if you worked today, it would pay off tomorrow. Not overnight. But in the long term. The world was predictable. And that wasn't an insult, but a promise.
Profession meant belonging
When someone said: "I am a baker" or "I work at the post office", it didn't just mean: "I have a job", but: "I am part of a functioning order."
Work was more than income. It was identity. You didn't have to reinvent yourself every day. The teacher remained a teacher. The carpenter remained a carpenter. And that was not a sign of regression - but of reliability.
Privatization: The great upheaval that nobody understood
Then came the turnaround - not only politically, but also economically. Gradually, all the institutions that had been the backbone of the country for decades were privatized, partially sold off and trimmed for efficiency.
- Swiss Post has become a DHL logistics machine.
- The railroad became a yield machine.
- The networks were fragmented, sold off and optimized.
- Telecommunications, energy, transport - everything has been made marketable.
And thus began a gradual change: what used to belong to all of us suddenly belonged to "the markets". And what used to be a service became a "product". Those who used to promise supply now promise profit - or remain silent.
What is left today - and what is still falling
Today, there is hardly anything left of what used to be called the "public sector". The only thing that has not yet been completely privatized is water - but even there, discussions have long been underway. And the feeling that remains? It's not anger. Not even fear. But a quiet alienation. The country no longer feels like home - but like a temporary address.
I'm not writing this to want to go back. The old days are not coming back - and not everything was better. But if you want to understand today why so many people feel lost, you have to understand this change. It's not technology that makes us feel insecure. It's not progress.
It is the lack of reliability, of belonging, of real order. And when young people today ask: "What should I become?" - then this is often another expression for:
"What do I actually still belong to?"
The system today - and why it no longer works
Germany was once known for its sound administration, its sensible financial policy and its balanced mix of market economy and social security. The Federal Republic of Germany in the post-war period - especially in the 1950s to early 1970s - stood for stability through substance. People lived with what they had. The state was not an adventure playground, but a calm administrator with a sense of proportion.
But at some point, something began to shift. Not with a bang - but quietly, gradually, over decades.
The first cracks: Politicians discover debt
Willy Brandt's time in government was a turning point. For the first time, the idea that social progress could also be financed on credit became socially acceptable - in the name of "social balance". It was well-intentioned, no question. But it opened a door that was never closed again.
Under Helmut Schmidt, cautious borrowing then turned into a structural budget gap that grew year on year. And from then on, debt policy became an integral part of the system - not as an emergency solution, but as a permanent practice.
The break with budgetary discipline
In the 1980s and 90s, some governments tried to take countermeasures. Helmut Kohl spoke of a "spiritual and moral turnaround" and of a "budget without new debt".
But this was just lip service - debts continued to rise, driven by reunification, social programs and growing bureaucracy. With the transition to the red-green government at the turn of the millennium, the psychological hurdle finally fell: debt became the norm.
A milestone in the loss of control: the euro
With the introduction of the euro, Germany lost a decisive lever: its own monetary sovereignty. The German mark - once a symbol of stability - was replaced by a common currency whose rules were shaky from the outset. The "Maastricht criteria" (debt ratio, deficit limit) were regularly broken. The ECB developed into a political player rather than an independent guardian of the currency. Countries that had never managed their finances soundly were supported via joint liability. And Germany? Paid - and remained silent.
In the name of "European solidarity", what would previously have been described as budgetary suicide was accepted.
The ECB: money out of thin air
A new chapter began with the 2008 financial crisis at the latest: the European Central Bank discovered "quantitative easing" - the systematic buying up of government bonds with freshly created money.
- The printing press became a permanent solution.
- Interest rates fell to zero.
- Debt lost its price.
- Investments were artificially fueled.
And the market was decoupled from any real risk signal through massive intervention. What was intended as a crisis measure became a permanent support for a system that can no longer support itself on its own.
Hidden deep: the disaster called Target-2
Another point that hardly anyone knows - and even less understands - is the Target 2 system. A payment settlement mechanism within the eurozone that was originally intended as a technical aid. However, it has now developed into an invisible debt trap:
Germany is in debt to the tune of over 1,000 billion euros - claims on other EU states for which there is no collateral. And the best thing about it? This sum is not recorded in any budget. No citizen, no parliament, no press talks about it - but it exists. It is the invisible price of the euro bailout - paid by those who work but were never asked.
And now? A state at the limit - with a friendly face
Today, Germany is like a household that pretends to be in order but can no longer pay the bills.
- The social systems are at the limit.
- The pension can only be financed by federal subsidies.
- Civil servants' pensions are exploding.
- Infrastructure is falling apart because everything is "driven on sight".
- The Bundeswehr is incapable of acting.
- The administration is overwhelmed, digitalization is failing on its own.
- At the same time, taxes are rising, levies are increasing and expectations are rising.
And why? Because people no longer dare to be honest. What is still sold as security is often just a promise. Today, security is still written in capital letters:
- Officialdom
- Pension
- Health insurance
- Parental leave
- Housing benefit
- Support programs
But many of these securities are just a facade. Benefits are promised for which there is no longer any cover - in the hope that it won't be noticed as long as enough people play along. But the system only works as long as enough people pay in something that others immediately take out again. If the contributors leave - whether through moving away, burnout or internal resignation - the house of cards collapses.
It's not about causing panic. It's about understanding why so many people are asking themselves today: What is actually keeping me here? And above all: How can I live in a system that demands everything from me - but gives me less and less? Anyone who chooses their career today - or their path - needs to know this. Not in order to refuse. But to see more clearly. Because what still functions as a system today is often just routine - supported by inertia, but no longer by substance.
Career choice in uncertain times
There was once a time when choosing a career was a clear transition. From school to training. From university to a job. And once you were "in", you stayed. Not out of fear - but because it worked.
A job was more than just work: it was predictability, belonging, identity. In the savings bank, at the railroad, in a craft business or in the public sector - you knew where you stood. And even if you were dissatisfied, you could rely on a certain security: If you made an effort, you were needed. Those who stayed were looked after.
That time no longer exists.
A lifetime in the same job? Hardly realistic today
Today, the classic idea of a "career for life" is a thing of the past. Not because people are too volatile - but because the world around them is changing too quickly.
- Training content are often already out of date when they are concluded.
- Study does not automatically lead to a career start.
- Digital tools and AI are changing jobs in real time.
- Entire occupational fields disappear, new ones emerge without names.
And whereas in the past: "What you learn, you have forever"is more true today:
"What you learn today will be replaced by an update tomorrow."
When uncertainty is the only constant
The problem is not the change itself, but the lack of orientation. Because in a world that is constantly changing, the question is not just: "What can I do?"
But also: "Which of these will still be needed tomorrow?"
And that is the real core of today's career choice crisis: young people are not only faced with a choice - but with a disintegration of the whole framework in which choice made sense in the first place.
What a job still means today - and what it no longer means
Today, a profession is no longer a guarantee of security. It is a tool. A foothold. An entry point. But anyone who believes that a job alone will last a lifetime could be disappointed.
Because the old promises no longer apply:
- "Do an apprenticeship, then you'll be secure."
- "Study something proper, then you'll be fine."
- "Find a company with a collective agreement - you'll be covered."
This advice comes from a time when systems still worked - and not from today's reality.
Self-employment: from risk to alternative
Self-employment used to be seen as reckless. Something for the particularly brave - or for adventurers. Today, it is often the only way to achieve true self-determination. Of course, it takes courage, responsibility and a willingness to learn. But if you really want to live freely today - both in thought and in action - you can no longer blindly rely on the system.
Today, self-employment is not the opposite of security, but often the only way to achieve the security that you create for yourself.
When young people see that everything runs on credit
Many young people today intuitively sense that the system promises more than it can deliver. They hear the terms: "skills shortage", "opportunity market", "work-life balance". But at the same time they see:
- rising prices,
- overburdened teachers,
- burnt-out parents,
- closed roads,
- and politicians who talk about transformation but hardly communicate where to.
In this climate, it is hardly possible to make a decision for life with confidence. And yet that is exactly what is expected of them.
What is needed instead: Two pillars
The answer to this uncertainty is not a new profession, but a new way of looking at work. Anyone who is smart today thinks on two levels:
- A mainstay for income: Something that is currently needed, that you can do and that you can start with. It doesn't have to be perfect - just sustainable.
- A mainstay for the future: Something of its own. Something that can grow. An ability. A project. An idea. Something that you won't need tomorrow - but the day after tomorrow.
The combination of both is not a luxury decision - but a necessity.
Profession as an attitude, not a title
Perhaps this is the most important sentence in this chapter: today, your job is no longer what you are. It's what you do to get ahead. Identifying with a fixed job title - "I'm a teacher, I'm a lawyer, I'm a computer scientist" - often leads to a dead end in times like these. What counts today is something else:
- Learning ability
- Willingness to adapt
- Clarity of thought
- Self-control
- Sense of responsibility
These qualities do not replace the profession, but they make you independent of the title. If you are faced with a career choice today, don't look for the perfect path. You won't find it. Instead, look for it:
- a path that Air to breathe lets,
- People who honest are,
- Tasks that Do not bend,
- and a point within you where you know: "I'm not just adapted here - I'm alive."
Because the world doesn't need more people with a CV. It needs people with attitude - and with an inner compass.
Podcast: Man or machine - Who will work in the future? | Lanz & Precht
When world views collide
In a stable society, people can disagree without causing an insurmountable rift. People discuss, they disagree, they come to an agreement - or not.
But today we are experiencing something different. It is no longer opinions that are clashing - but entire world views. And world views are not just opinions. They are what give people stability, security and identity. When they start to waver, the whole self-image falters. That's why people no longer react with arguments - but with defense, withdrawal, sometimes even hatred.
When differences of opinion turn into relationship crises
This rift goes deep - often deeper than you first think. Couples no longer argue about everyday issues - but about what is still "normal". Friendships break up because people use other sources of information. Parents no longer understand their children - or vice versa. Colleagues no longer talk to each other, but avoid each other.
And the deeper this rift goes, the less it is about content - and more and more about affiliation, loyalty and the authority of interpretation. The other person is no longer seen as an interlocutor, but as a representative of the wrong side.
The most intimate level: when politics seeps into private life
What used to be a private matter - how you live, love, think and talk - has now become part of a major debate.
- Which car you drive,
- which words you use,
- what thoughts you express,
- which profession you choose,
- whether you have children, eat meat, get vaccinated -
Everything is read politically today. And this creates a subtle pressure - not only from the outside, but also in relationships, friendships and families. Today, what you think can determine whether you still belong.
This used to be unthinkable - today it is part of everyday life.
Ideologies as fire accelerants
The division would perhaps still be surmountable if it were only fueled by uncertainty. But it is being fueled - and quite deliberately. Not always with malicious intent. But systematically. Because ideologies - regardless of their orientation - thrive on drawing clear lines between friend and foe.
They offer simple answers, clear culprits and the promise of being on the "right side". Anyone who doesn't join in is no longer questioned - but labeled. As "right-wing", "unsupportive", "toxic", "unscientific" - depending on the camp. And that makes real dialog almost impossible. Because anyone who is afraid of being wrong will never speak honestly.
What to do? The ability to take perspective
In the midst of this dynamic, there is only one real way to stay clear inside - and not go under with it: You have to learn to empathize with others - without giving up on yourself. This means
- Listenwithout judging immediately.
- Understand want to do without agreeing.
- Recognizethat the other person might also have good reasons for their attitude - even if you don't share them.
This ability has become rare today - but it is worth its weight in gold. Because it not only protects relationships - it also protects your own thinking from ideological rigidity.
Your own opinion - without dogmatism
It's not about conforming. It's about remaining inwardly free, even when opinions are being voiced all around you. Having your own attitude is not a dogma, but an inner compass. If you know why you think what you think, you can remain calm - even when the storm is raging. And they don't become what they criticize in others:
A person who only consists of boundaries.
Current survey on trust in politics
The most comfortable lie is the one that feels good
If you live long enough in a system that promises you security, then at some point you start to believe the promise is reality. You settle in. You go along with it. You function. And as long as everything runs reasonably smoothly - the salary comes in, the rent is paid, everyday life has its routine - you don't ask any more questions. And why should you? There is no pain that hurts. But that's precisely what's dangerous.
Because when you stop asking yourself whether what you are living is still coherent, a slow inner alienation begins. Not all at once, but gradually. And you often only notice it when you look back at your own life and realize that you have been doing things for years that you never really questioned. Not out of conviction, but out of inertia. And out of fear of losing something that you may no longer need.
Comfort is not a haven of peace - it is the precursor to stagnation
In today's society, convenience is often confused with quality of life. You're warm, you have a car, you have a streaming service, you can have food delivered. You no longer have to deal with unpleasant questions. And if there's a problem somewhere, there's an app, a hotline or a regulation. Everything seems to be taken care of.
But that's not freedom - it's a simulation of freedom. Because as soon as you try to break out of this comfort zone, you quickly realize how narrow the grid has become. It's not designed for you to go your own way. It's designed to keep you where you are. And if you get used to no longer questioning things, you will eventually lose the inner muscle that is supposed to keep you moving. Comfort is not the goal of life. It is a state that can be enjoyed temporarily - but should never be confused with real meaning in life. Because it always begins where you dare to do something. And where you are prepared to face the truth - even if it is uncomfortable.
The first step is not an external one - but an internal one
Many people believe that freedom means changing on the outside. A new job. A new city. A different country. And yes - that can be part of the process. But the real beginning lies somewhere else entirely. It lies in a quiet moment when you stop lying to yourself. When you say for the first time: the way I'm living no longer feels right.
Not because someone says so. Not because you compare yourself. But because something stirs inside you - and says: something is wrong. This moment is not a bombshell. It's more of a gentle unease that slowly grows. And if you have the courage to give this feeling space, you are already on the threshold of freedom. Because real change never begins with a deadline or a decision. It begins with honesty - and the willingness to draw consequences from this honesty.
Freedom is not the opposite of obligation, but of self-betrayal
Many people think that freedom means having no more obligations. Not having to answer to anyone. No deadlines, no tasks, no expectations. But that's a misunderstanding. Freedom doesn't mean that nobody wants anything from me anymore. Freedom means that I am no longer forced to do things that I don't support.
I can make a commitment - but voluntarily. I can take responsibility - but consciously. I can say yes - because I can say no. And the real betrayal doesn't begin when you take on tasks, but when you take them on even though you have long since felt inside that they are not good for you. Betrayal begins when you go against your own feelings simply because it is expected of you. And this betrayal leads to exhaustion, emptiness, illness and resignation. If you want to live freely, you don't have to withdraw from everything. But they must start to take themselves seriously again.
The great liberation is not an explosion - but a decision
Many people imagine the liberation from their old life as a new beginning: quitting, emigrating, throwing everything away, starting anew. And yes, sometimes that's exactly what it takes. But freedom often begins much more quietly. With the decision to stop playing along. Not out of defiance, but out of realization. You don't go against the system, but out of the system.
You no longer fight over what is right - you leave the stage when the play no longer means anything to you. And that takes courage. Because when you leave the stage, the approval also ends. The applause falls silent. Perhaps doubts arise. Perhaps lonely evenings come. But something else also comes: calm. Clarity. Responsibility. And once you have felt this, you will no longer want to exchange it for cheap applause.
The price of freedom is honesty - and it's worth every penny
Freedom is not a gift that someone hands you. Nor is it a state that you simply have. Freedom is something you have to work for again and again, through decisions, through attitude, through inner work. And it has a price. Sometimes it is insecurity. Sometimes it is a break with old relationships. Sometimes it's a financial cut.
But all this weighs lightly against the feeling of finally being back with yourself. Those who live honestly do not always live comfortably. But they live in harmony with themselves. And that is worth more than any pension, any job promise, any social recognition. Freedom doesn't start with money. It begins with one sentence: I will no longer lie to myself.
When certainties crumble, what really matters becomes apparent
There are moments in life - and perhaps also in history - when we realize that the world as we knew it is no longer stable. The rules are changing. Certainties are disappearing. And the certainties we have built on are suddenly no longer self-evident. What was normal yesterday is now subject to change. What was considered stable yesterday seems fragile today. And you stand there, look around, listen to the news, experience changes - and sense that something is no longer right. But it is precisely in moments like these that we see what really holds us together. Not the system. Not the insurance. Not the label on your CV. But what you have built up inside yourself.
Resilience is not resistance - it is the ability to change. In uncertain times, it is not the strongest who survive. Nor the loudest. It's those who can adapt without losing themselves. Those who are prepared to change their thinking, change their tools, broaden their perspectives - but not their attitude. This is called resilience. It is not a technique. Nor is it a question of genes. It's an inner willingness to stay upright, even when the wind shifts. Resilient people don't complain. They take note of what is - and take action. Not out of panic, but out of foresight. They don't wait for someone to allow them to live. They start - quietly, but decisively.
A foothold for now - a foothold for afterwards
Anyone who is smart today thinks twice. They don't just ask themselves: What do I need to survive today?
But also: What do I need tomorrow to be independent? That's why it makes sense to have two mainstays - even if people used to ridicule this. One that is sustainable in the short term - a profession, a service, a job that works. And one that can grow in the long term - something of your own, an idea, a small start that may seem inconspicuous today, but could be the foundation tomorrow when officialdom falters. It can be a project. A skill. A digital product. A network. Or simply a clear thought that no longer bends. No one can predict today what the next ten years will look like. But those who rely too much today on what worked yesterday may be buried under it tomorrow.
Freedom does not come from escape - but from clarity
It is not about withdrawing, isolating yourself or mistrusting everything. Freedom does not come about through denial - but through awareness. If you go through these times with your eyes wide open, you will quickly notice that many people are still playing along, but more and more are withdrawing inwardly. Not resigned - but disengaged. They do their work, pay their dues, fulfill their duties. But they no longer expect anything. They know: If I want to live freely, I have to take care of it myself.
This realization is sobering - but also liberating. Because it puts an end to the illusion. And with the illusion, the powerlessness also disappears. What remains is room for maneuver. Perhaps less than we would like. But real. And honest.
If you're waiting for someone to save you, you've already lost
The system won't save you. Neither will the state. Not your insurance company. Not your party. Not your employer brand. And neither will the next government. Not out of malice. But because there is no one left who has an overview. What works, works on a small scale. Locally. Interpersonal. Tangible. If you want to survive today - mentally, economically, emotionally - you have to say goodbye to the expectation that a master plan will come along. There isn't one. There is only you. And what you do with what is available to you. This is not a romantic idea of freedom.
That is simply the reality. And it's not necessarily pretty. But it is true.
Staying awake doesn't mean panicking - it means staying alive
This article is not a call for a new beginning. Nor is it a farewell to everything old. It is an invitation to wake up - if you are not already awake. And if you are awake, then you know: The crucial thing is not that everything goes back to the way it was. It's that you don't fall asleep when others calm down again.
- Hold the Eyes open. Not in fear, but in attention.
- Hold the Ears open. Not to believe everything - but to decide for yourself what makes sense.
- Hold the View open. Not only to the front, but also to the inside. Because sometimes the most important place for orientation is not outside - but within yourself.
Don't let yourself be tied down, but don't let yourself be driven either. Don't let yourself be intimidated, but don't let yourself be stirred up either. Don't be fobbed off, but don't be seduced either. Stay awake. Stay quiet when things get loud. And loud when you need to be.
And above all:
Live in such a way that you can still look at yourself in the mirror in the evening. Because in the end - when systems fall, professions disappear, certainties crumble - there is only one thing that really sticks:
Your clarity. Your freedom. Your path.
Frequently asked questions
- Why this article - and why now?
Because something is changing. Not loudly, not officially, but noticeably. More and more people feel that our system is beginning to falter - not suddenly, but gradually. This article is not intended to provide answers, but orientation. Not to spread panic, but to create clarity. And now is exactly the right time to do so: before the next wave subsides - or breaks. - What is actually meant by "allowing pain"?
Not physical pain. What is meant is the moment when you no longer repress how wrong many things feel. The moment when you admit to yourself that you have settled into a system that no longer suits you. And that security comes at the expense of your own freedom. Admitting this pain is uncomfortable - but also healing. - Is that a criticism of the state?
Not directly. The article is not an indictment. It's not about politicians or parties. It's about the structures in which we all live - and the dynamics that arise from them. When trust dwindles, when responsibility shifts, when numbers are more important than people, then it's time to take a closer look. This is not criticism - this is healthy attention. - What is different today than in the past - let's say in the 80s or 90s?
There was substance back then. Institutions were inert, but reliable. The intergenerational contract was more than just a concept. The post office was the post office. And politics still had a sense of direction. Today, many are experiencing a disconnect between reality and rhetoric. Decisions seem driven, short-term, often ideological. The pace has increased, the commitment has dwindled. And that is precisely what creates unrest. - Why is it so difficult to choose a career today?
Because traditional job profiles are eroding - due to automation, AI and globalization. Because ideology and regulations are putting entire industries under pressure. And because young people today feel that the "safe path" is often no longer safe at all. In this mixed situation, it takes more than good grades - it takes steadfastness, flexibility and a clear self-image. - What are "system people", as mentioned in the article?
System people are not enemies. They are people who rely heavily on external structures - on rules, careers, role models. They define security through belonging. That is understandable. But in times of change, this can be dangerous, because those who rely too much on the outside quickly lose their footing when this outside crumbles. - Why has the topic of ideology become so central?
Because ideology is no longer on the fringes, but reigns in the middle. It replaces debate with commitment. It turns opinion into morality. And it penetrates - sometimes unconsciously - deep into education, the media, administration and everyday life. Anyone who resists it is no longer discussed, but sorted out. This creates pressure - and division. - How can we give young people guidance - without overburdening them?
By talking to them honestly. No slogans, no appeals. But by asking questions. Broadening their view. And giving them space to develop their own thoughts. It's not easy for young people today. But they also have opportunities - if you don't impose an old world view on them that is already crumbling. - What does the text mean by "two pillars"?
One that is sustainable in the short term - i.e. a job, an assignment, a secure activity. And one that can grow in the long term - e.g. an idea, a digital project, your own product. If you only rely on one today, you will often be left without anything tomorrow. Two pillars mean: Provision through diversity. - Why is resilience more important today than knowledge or qualifications?
Because knowledge is constantly changing. And because qualifications are often devalued - by technology, by bureaucracy, by market distortion. But those who have learned to deal with change, to reorient themselves, to remain true to themselves, will also survive tomorrow. Resilience is not a trend - it is an art of survival. - How can you build resilience?
By not avoiding everything that hurts. By learning to see mistakes not as failures, but as corrections. By taking an honest look at yourself - including your weaknesses. And by seeking out people who not only confirm, but also question. Resilience begins with honesty - not with self-optimization. - What does "freedom begins with honesty" actually mean?
It means that true freedom does not come from outside, but begins within. Those who lie to themselves - about their needs, their fears, their desires - will always remain unfree. Only when I tell myself the truth can I make free decisions. And that is more important today than ever. - Will the system collapse - or will it just stay that way?
Both are possible. More likely is a slow erosion, an ever-increasing tension between appearance and reality. Systems often don't break visibly - they become porous. This article is not a doomsday scenario. But it does make it clear: those who blindly trust today will wake up hard tomorrow. - Isn't the whole thing a bit too gloomy?
Perhaps. But a clear view is better than rose-colored glasses. The text doesn't want to scare you - it wants to sober you up. Because clarity comes from sobriety. And from clarity comes the strength to break new ground - without illusion, but with attitude. - What does "staying awake" actually mean in everyday life?
It means not believing every new hype, reading the media critically, being aware of language, not allowing yourself to be driven by the loudest, questioning structures - and above all: regularly pausing and checking whether your own life still fits in with your own values. - What remains when everything else falls?
You yourself. Your character. Your experience. Your sense of what is right - even if no one applauds. The system will change. Perhaps slowly, perhaps faster than we think. But no one can take away what you build within yourself. And that is ultimately the core of this article: Start building. Within you. For yourself. For those who come after you.