"Para superar las ansiedades y depresiones de la vida contemporánea, los individuos deben volverse independientes del entorno social hasta el punto de que ya no respondan exclusivamente en términos de sus recompensas y castigos."

Feeling overwhelmed by the stresses and pressures of modern life? It's no surprise. We live in a society that never stops buzzing, full of expectations and constant judgment. The big idea here is that to truly cope with the anxieties and depressions that come with this, you need to develop a sense of independence from society's constant feedback loop. You can't let yourself be controlled merely by the rewards and punishments that the social environment doles out.

This concept isn't entirely new. Think about the Stoics in ancient Greece. They believed in focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can't. More recently, psychologists like Carl Rogers emphasized the importance of self-actualization—becoming the best version of yourself regardless of societal pressures. So, this idea has historical roots but is incredibly relevant today.

Picture this: You've got a friend, let's call her Jane. Jane works in a high-stress corporate job where every little thing gets scrutinized. She's constantly anxious about meeting targets and getting approval from her boss. One day, Jane decides to take a pottery class just for fun. She starts loving the process of shaping clay without worrying about perfection. Over time, she finds that this little act of doing something for herself—without any external rewards or fear of punishment—gives her a new sense of peace. She becomes less anxious at work because she's found a space where she can just be herself.

So, how can you apply this to your own life? First off, find something you love doing that isn’t tied to any external rewards. It could be anything—cooking, painting, hiking, whatever gives you joy. Make time for it regularly. This helps build inner resilience. You’re essentially training your mind to value internal satisfaction over external validation.

Also, practice mindfulness. When you’re present in the moment, you’re less likely to get caught up in the endless loop of societal pressures. Meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or even just taking a few minutes to enjoy your coffee without distractions can help you stay grounded.

Imagine two scenarios. In the first, you’re constantly checking your phone, anxious about what others think of your latest Instagram post. In the second, you’re out for a walk, noticing how the leaves rustle in the wind, feeling the ground beneath your feet. Which one feels more peaceful? Probably the second, right? That’s the essence of becoming independent of external rewards and punishments.

So, in a nutshell, take a step back from the societal treadmill. Do something for yourself that makes you happy, and practice being present. It’ll help you become less reactive to external pressures and more in tune with your own inner peace. Trust me, it’s worth it.