‘I almost forgot that this is the whole point’: The importance of Grounding, Biophilia, and just being

Stuck in a rut and can’t seem to find a moments peace? We have the perfect antidote to all the chaos… it’s free, easy, and costs little time to rejuvenate your wellbeing once and for all. 

We’ve all been there… that Outlook notification goes off, and it’s your final straw. It’s one of those days. Gen Z – as interconnected as a generation can be – are coming together over that feeling of collective exhaustion, and simple I’ve-had-enough-edness. 

From jobs to friends to socials to family to hobbies to everything in between, it can get pretty tough to look past the superficial tasks of the day and remind ourselves why we do it all in the first place. The phrase “We work to live, not live to work” is being thrown around the TikTok realms, emphasising that work and career is not life, but just a sector of it. 

With the UK’s pervasive overwork culture (take a look at our piece on this here) and cost of living crisis, it can be hard to navigate what the meaning of it all is. As a reaction to the nihilistic and dark comedy that frames a lot of philosophical content on social media, there is a new trend taking over: ‘I almost forgot that this is the whole point’. 

The trend sees users taking videos of nature, social life, and personal growth moments in the name of a slow life. The ‘slow living’ style of TikTok emerged in 2023 to promote a mindful way of living with a minimal lifestyle and an intentional outlook on the world. The ‘whole point’ reminders can be seen as an extension of this, spotlighting the small, simple, down-to-earth moments in one’s day that make it all worth it. 

A pure serotonin boost, it breaks up the algorithm that caters towards overconsumption and quick-hit dopamine releases by ushering in a new style of reconnecting with oneself and nature. Sunsets, beach days, dinner with friends, family time, concerts, holidays, laughter, that moment of sun on a busy day, a coffee break in a new city, opening a fresh book, going barefoot in the grass, bike rides and picnics… the list is endless. Happiness is subjective, and this just shines a light on how you find yours is what you should focus on more. 

It’s a pure breath of fresh air just to watch, and paired with the mellow tune of Matt Berry’s (yes, the comedian) ‘Take My Hand’ – magical! The idea of peace away from screens essentially lives in the impromptu moments, and the little things we can see as chores on the way to something bigger. 

Though it may seem like a form of escapism, it actually isn’t. It’s all based on the idea of grounding and just being. Grounding, also known as earthing, is a centuries-old wellness practice that involves direct contact with the earth. The theory suggests that the connection with the ground – like walking on grass or sand – means that the Earth’s electrical charge can have a positive effect on the body, health, and the mind via the transfer of electrons.

Healthline suggest that although “little research has been done on grounding, smaller studies report benefits for inflammation, pain, and mood.” Away from the theory of how it heals our body, it can also be used in mental health practices, helping one to focus on the present moment to combat anxiety, grief, and other difficult emotions.

This idea also leads nicely on to the idea of biophilia, which is something that this trend inadvertently promotes too. It’s not spoken about a lot in the digital realms (probably because the algorithm knows it will take you away from it). However, the idea of biophilia literally translates to ‘love of life’, and derives from an innate, biologically-driven need to interact with other life forms, such as animals or plants. This fascination and communion with nature can be seen as the ultimate antidote to overconsumption (be that media, physical, or otherwise), and sits nicely within the ‘I almost forgot that this is the whole point’ way of being. 

After all, the ultimate rebellion in this day and age can be as simple as finding moments of peace and nurturing one’s wellbeing. So if you want to stick some Matt Berry on and start grounding to find the ‘point’, we suggest finding out what works for you. Ask yourself: when are you the happiest? What switches your brain off? Where is my favourite place to be outside? And then, do it. It’s all within you anyway, and it is all about just finding that moment of calm through nature and other different moments. So switch off the screens, let go of the stress, and remember what it is that makes this ‘the whole point’.