Understanding Solastalgia
As the world changes rapidly, many are grappling with overwhelming emotions. The term solastalgia—coined by Glenn Albrecht, a faculty member at the Department of Sustainability at Murdoch University in Australia—captures the profound sense of loss and distress we feel when the environment we call home begins to change in unsettling ways. Unlike nostalgia, which is tied to a longing for a place left behind, solastalgia speaks to the pain of watching the place you love and live in become unrecognizable.Solastalgia is a blend of “solace” and “nostalgia” that captures our emotional distress. Essentially, solastalgia means being homesick even when you have not left home.
The Importance of Home and Belonging in a Changing World
Humans have a deep, unshakable connection to the places they call home. This deep love for a place can inspire people to take action, caring for their environment with the same dedication they would show in protecting their families. Place attachment is multifaceted and characterized by the emotional connection between a person and their environment.
Leslie Davenport’s “Emotional Resiliency in the Era of Climate Change” suggests that the need for a sense of “home” and belonging is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. This feeling of belonging is often tied to a specific place, shaped by a tapestry of connections, memories, history, hopes, and dreams. However, climate change can disrupt these bonds to our environment, triggering emotional responses as familiar landscapes undergo significant changes. The emotions surrounding the attachment to your place of dwelling can also feel isolating or overwhelming, especially when the world around us doesn’t always seem to acknowledge or validate the depth of these experiences.
You Are Not Alone: Climate Anxiety Is Common
If you’ve been feeling this way, you’re not alone. In fact, 76% of young people report feeling afraid of the future, with climate change influencing their decisions about what lies ahead. As climate change accelerates, more people are experiencing solastalgia, eco-grief, and climate anxiety. These feelings are normal, even expected, in the face of the changes our planet is undergoing. It can sometimes feel paralyzing, making it hard to focus on everyday life or plan for the future.
Support for Navigating Climate Emotions
While the challenges of climate change are immense, there is also significant healing potential, both individually and collectively. By acknowledging your feelings, practicing grounding techniques, taking purposeful action, and connecting with supportive communities, you can build resilience, find hope, and focus on what you can control.
If you’ve been feeling the weight of solastalgia, eco-grief, or climate anxiety, know that you are not alone. At Repose, therapy can be a space to unpack and process these feelings in a way that honors their depth while finding ways to move forward. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help.