If you consume the news, it’s fair to say, your outlook is likely bleak. Wars, poverty, wildfires, foodborne illnesses, rogue AI, and political fighting dominate the airwaves, print, and social media. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless.
To counter the sad, scary stories, I am constantly on the lookout for more inspiring, happier news.
Finding Immense Happiness within a Group
Last week, I was inspired by an article in the New York Times. The author, Rachel Keintzeig, wrote a guest essay called Spend All Your Disposable Income on Events that Make You Feel Alive.
Specifically, Keintzeig made the argument for attending live events. She wrote:
A communications professor I once interviewed called the phenomenon “collective effervescence.” When you’re surrounded by people experiencing the exact same emotion as you, he said, the feeling multiplies, refracts, comes back to you heightened.
Increasingly, I believe this is what makes life worth living. I will do anything to feel it. At a time when logging on to Instagram generally makes me hate everyone, swaying in a stadium reminds me of the inherent goodness of humans, the thread between us all.
I love the idea of “collective effervescence”
It makes me happier just thinking about it. Although the actual definition of effervescence resembles carbonation in soda — bubbles and fizz — the figurative meaning is what we’re going to focus on here.
Someone who is high energy and lively can be described as effervescent. While I’m not naive to think I can be euphoric all the time, I value the idea of intentional, periodic doses of effervescence. It seems to me, in the depressing world we live in, we can all use a little more joy in our lives — I know I can.
Live performances prove the power
For my 50th birthday 18 months ago, I updated my goals and bucket list. High on the list was going to hear more live music.
Because I’ve been intentional about it, in the last year and a half, I’ve seen some amazing musicians including Andrea Bocelli, the Italian tenor and opera star at Madison Square Garden, the house band at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, and most recently, a free Greatful Dead copycat band in my local park.
Earlier this year, I also had the good fortune to go to my first Bruce Springstein concert. It did not disappoint. Maybe that’s why Keintzeig’s essay really spoke to me. 20,000 fans singing, screaming, cheering, swaying in Madison Square Garden. When I read the article, I knew exactly what she meant.
But it wasn’t only Bruce. Every performance I’ve been to has been incredible.
4 Ways to Find “Free” Collective Effervescence
You don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars to get the feeling of collective effervescence. Here are some recent free examples:
- During this past year’s playoff season in NYC, people were dancing in the streets and cheering in bars and parks during every Nicks game.
- World cup neighborhood watch parties. Throughout the country and around the world in the streets, in parks, and at bars. You didn’t have to be in the stadium at a game, (although that would have been amazing too) to feel the excitement.
- During a solar or lunar eclipse, or with fireworks on the 4th of July, with everyone outside together watching the same thing.
- At Pride parades in June, throughout the USA and worldwide.
One of the many things remaining on my list is going to a piano bar and singing along with dueling pianos. If you’ve never done it, you should try it. It’s so much better than Karaoke, because you’re not on stage with a microphone (high stress, definitely not my idea of effervescence).
Look for Collective Effervescence Opportunities
So when you’re feeling down, look around for opportunities for collective effervescence. It doesn’t have to be a concert at Madison Square Garden. Although it could be!
The next time you’re thinking about getting tickets or heading out to a free concert — do it! You’ll be glad you did. And invite me to join you!
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