You can feel them watching you. They’re sneering, chomping their lips, howling when your back is turned. They travel in a pack or they’re close enough to defend one another. They think differently but they surrender to act the same. You’ve likely witnessed or been a part of it – The Wolf Pack Mentality.

“You can feel them watching you.”

Humans have similarities to various animals throughout the world, specifically the wolf. Our societal habits and beliefs are not so different from the scaffolding, status, and ambitions of a wolf pack. Us, as humans feel most comfortable knowing people are available. Why? Support and fear. Support in times of vulnerability as well as celebration. Fear…well the fear of loneliness.

“Us, as humans feel most comfortable knowing people are available.”

Karen Dolva’s TEDxAdrenal talk titled “All the Lonely People” emphasized that loneliness cannot be seen and does not discriminate. Everyone is at risk of being ostracised or victimized by either themselves or by others. Even the rich and famous. Some people choose to become a lone-wolf, to confidently own and combat their loneliness; some turn to others to positively boost and support; whilst some opt to form a vicious wolf pack.

“Everyone is at risk of being ostracised or victimized by either themselves or by others.”

Groups socially, politically, ethnically, culturally or in any capacity have the ability to boost and change the world, or turn to the tall poppy syndrome. Something generations did not have previously? The desperate need to be somebody because social media makes us think we need to. Wolf packs are now people in the flesh and via the internet. How do we escape being prey?

“…Desperate need to be somebody because social media makes us think we need to.”

Fear runs the world. Fear creates motivation, fear creates doubt, fear creates hope and hopelessness. Fear creates wolf packs throughout the world in different industries, personalities, and circumstances. Having a pack is only okay if no one is being negatively affected by your direct actions. I urge everyone to recognize this loneliness epidemic sweeping the world. Don’t let your wolf pack take down someone worthy, because everyone is worthy at some point. To those who feel lonely and victimized, you’re not the only one.