It is so easy to lose one's identity in a herd. It's comforting to know we are part of a group, speck of matter that's connected to other specks. Our identities become more secure when we have some sort of reference point to draw from.
Yet, it's not actually who we are. Our individuality is absorbed into the group energy, mostly for our detriment. When the group begins to stray into immoral acts, we are unlikely to acknowledge or see them as such, as our own identity is tied in with the collective.
It's quite scary to realize how easy it is to get caught up in this energy. None of us a totally immune from it, but the best antidote is to begin to recognize it within ourselves and take a step back from time to time. Nature is a fantastic option, I'm happy to hear it grounds you in the same way it does for me.
Thanks for your thoughtful post and for having the courage to walk your own path.
Indeed, our survival instincts tell us to belong. However, most of us do not realize how infused we become with the energy and beliefs of tribal energies. Thinking for oneself does not seem to be a strong point for most humans. Unfortunately.
Nature: I'm very fortunate to be able to go down to the river almost every day and bask in the energy of the cottonwoods and tall wild grasses. I'm very grateful for that. I love it. Glad you do too. Blessings.