"FACTIONLESS"

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So… it’s 2021. A lot of questions are still hanging in the air. The uncertainty cannot be ignored, but it sometimes feels like all sorts of people, groups, and political parties are trying to pull you into their paradigm. In uncertain times, it’s natural to want to gain a sense of “footing.” Of course chaos is ever-present, but making decisions based off of fear is like taking a long walk off of a short cliff. Never-the-less, as you’re navigating through this barrage of information and propaganda it can feel exhausting, frustrating, and disorienting. Perhaps you’re questioning yourself. Perhaps you’re starting to feel like a loner on an island. Perhaps you feel… factionless.

What do I mean by factionless? Well, I’m using the term based off the science-fiction trilogy, “Divergent,” written by Veronica Roth. Her main character lives in a society where when an adolescent comes of age, they’re put through a test to measure their strengths. At the end of the test, the subject is assigned to a faction. Once given a faction, the subject is assigned to particular duties and becomes a functioning part of this society. Of course, the main character takes the test but does not align with any particular faction. In the book, this is defined as being “divergent.” Essentially, the main character is so dynamic that she does not fit the mold of any particular faction. She is factionless.

So, what does this have to do with you? Well, for one, I want to start off with saying that you are not alone. You might feel like you’re on your own island, but that is a common feeling among many people. It’s particularly apparent in this highly divisive moment in time. Feeling factionless does not mean you are broken, but you are probably feeling internal dissonance. That is because it is human nature to want a sense of belonging. Finding community is a natural and crucial part of being a human and it is important as it helps humans create functioning societies. The funny thing is though you might be feeling factionless, so do many others. So, what does this mean going forward?

For one, feeling factionless right now is actually a very good thing. It means you’re applying your critical thinking skills. It means you are trying to objectively look at different aspects of life and not bundle ideas together for the sake of making an identity “safety net.” The world is not black and white, it is a big grey area. The more uncertainty strips away at our semblance of control, the more people cling to group identification out of fear… even if the identification is flawed. Being objective takes strength of mind. Being factionless takes courage and faith, but where does it lead us?

Luckily, this overwhelming discomfort will not last forever. Oversimplifying the complexities of life always leads to imbalance. You might feel left out of the conversation right now, but as the blindspots of overly-restrictive identity groups lead to problems, hypocrisy, and inconsistencies, people will start to open their lens to alternative points of view. This sounds great, but what do we do in the meantime?

In the meantime, there are a couple very important things to do.

One:

Try and objectively listen to all points of view. There is absolutely no need to force others to see their blindspots. Think about the times others have tried to make you see your blindspots! It just makes us indignant. Instead, keep listening but do not become a “yes” man. You do not have to pretend to agree with things you’re unsure of or find to be lacking in truth. In fact, declining to agree without turning the conversation into an ideological battle of wits is a great way to plant seeds that might prove to be fruitful in the future. Carrying on with these types of discussions is good for you, and whoever you’re communicating with, as long as they’re civil. It will widen your lens, show you your blindspots, and sharpen your understanding as you find yourself exploring things that feel uncomfortable. These are all good things! It is also perfectly okay to have a cutoff threshold. At this particular point in time, when it has become borderline volatile in society, it is okay to draw a line. We can go down an entire rabbit hole of when exactly to draw a line in the sand, but just know that you have the freedom to choose what that looks like for yourself.

Two:

Keep honing in on the foundational truths that you believe in. Do not allow fear to guide you. If you find yourself being swayed into an idea out of fear, or making a decision out of fear, take a step back and assess the situation. Instead, rally behind the positive ideals you would like to see in the world around you. Likewise, perhaps you should also look at stepping into the things that make you afraid! Stepping out in faith is very difficult, but the things that scare you the most are the things you should probably be doing.

Three:

Don't be afraid of getting it wrong. Just as you should not be afraid of being wrong about something, try and help others to not fear being wrong. When people find themselves holding onto a flawed idea because it defines them in some societal way, it is difficult to find the courage to be wrong. As you have been mastering this on your own, try and help facilitate this in others. To admit a mistake takes courage and vulnerability (even if it’s just admitting it to yourself), but it also embodies strength. We usually don’t like to admit when we’re wrong because we do not want to feel weak, but the secret to true inner strength is actually found in humble vulnerability. Spread this notion around as much as possible. It helps facilitate difficult conversations. It helps set the stage for finding the truth, for identifying real solutions, and for compromise.

Four:

Do not become jaded. Being "factionless" can feel lonely. To hone in on your inner strength, you are going to have to continuously let go of your expectations of others. This is a daily choice and it is a hard one to make. It feels like rolling a boulder up a hill just to find it at the bottom, once again, the next day. Find outlets that strengthen you. Find friendships that feed certain parts of your personality. Not every friendship or interaction has to be as deep as the ocean. You can help grow different parts of yourself without adhering to a false facade of a group identity. There is nothing wrong with you being factionless. Accept interactions for what they actually are, not what you wish them to be.

Five:

Find peace in knowing that like attracts like. You might feel like you’re alone on an island but the more you embrace yourself, the more others who are like you will be able to recognize you. The beautiful thing is that you will not have to be aligned on all the same beliefs or ideas with these other “factionless” people, but you will be able to dive deeper into the types of discussions that you wish you could have all the time! The only way you will be able to find each other is by not hiding your true nature.

In closing, being “factionless” is actually kind of a faction! But it is a faction where diversity of thought, experience, and knowledge are invited to the table. What a beautiful way to experience this dynamic life!

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