Internalized Capitalism + Mental Health
By Svea Wentzler, MA , Therapist in Pennsylvania
Over the last few years, and especially as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the workforce, there has been a rising awareness about capitalism, its exploitative nature, and direct impact on mental health. There is growing anger at billionaires making more money during a pandemic, while regular people all over the world are struggling with getting basic needs met.
Hustle Culture
A few years ago we still lived in what I would call "hustle culture". In this time- it was encouraged, thought of as normal, that people should have multiple jobs including at least one "side hustle”. The glorification of hustle culture led to people being more overworked, and the problem of capitalism not meeting people's basic needs being completely overlooked. Hustle culture has since been criticized as part of internalized capitalism on a sociological scale.
[Question: Internalized capitalism. Have you seen this term floating around on social media or have you heard other people use it before?]
Internalized Capitalism + Impact on Mental Health
In my personal experience as well as my experience as a therapist, I have often struggled with internalized capitalism. I worry about being productive, I have trouble resting even though I know better. It shows up in conversations with clients across the board.
Some of the ways internalized capitalism shows up in mental health and our daily lives:
The "Sunday Scaries" (if you work a monday to Friday)
Exhaustion
Chronic stress
Forgoing activities that bring you joy and pleasure, and instead choosing to focus of productive things
Worrying about maximizing your potential
Worrying about your value
Not resting because that is lazy
Anxiety about being good enough at our jobs, being fired, having health insurance
Depression
Transactional thinking: if I work out, then I deserve a donut.
Imposter syndrome, worry about being promoted, worry that we are inadequate if we are not perfect
Keeping emotions in and repressing anger
How to challenge internalized capitalism:
REST. See if you can rest without giving yourself reasons or justifications for deserving it. You don't need to earn rest, you need it.
Affirm yourself: I need things. I am allowed to need things and get my needs met.
Begin to examine how you spend your time, add some pleasurable activities if you can. Add whimsy. Fun. Play.
Enjoyable activities. Add an enjoyable activity to your Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Mindfulness, on any scale. Mindfully get out of bed and then make your bed. Mindfully make your morning coffee or tea. Mindfully fold your clothes when you put them away. Whatever you choose in terms of activity you can make it mindful.
Engage in activities you are not excellent in. Practice doodling for example. Practice being compassionate with yourself as you learn something new or enjoy something you are not good at simply for enjoying it.
Try to eliminate the words "should" and "deserve" from how you speak to yourself.
Give yourself permission to acknowledge how difficult it is to manage living under capitalism. This does not mean you are not working hard enough, it does not conflict with your work ethic.
Bringing it up with others
Of course this is also a topic worth bringing up with others. We need solidarity around this experience. We have a lot to gain when we share our stories with others and as we do they will share them with us. Your friends might already be complaining about versions of this without calling it internalized capitalism.
Your siblings, parents, grandparents, extended or chosen family might share ideas about this without naming it. Of course, you may not find solidarity with everyone. Some people have benefited and believe in the system of aspirational capitalism. It is also worth bringing this up with your therapist, should you have one.
Narrative Therapy + Renegotiating the Problem
In my work with clients, I come from a narrative approach which uses externalizing language as one of its core methods. By using externalizing language we create a distance between ourselves and the problem, this allows us to re-negotiate our relationship to the problem. As related to internalized capitalism, our conversations include things like talking about productivity and what it tries to convince you of when you need rest.
We talk about imposter syndrome and the opportunities it keeps you from pursuing. We talk about chronic stress and it's detrimental impact on our relationships. We talk about the internal conflict produced by wanting to excel at something while at the same time feeling that perfectionism keeps us from practicing or engaging in activities we are not already excellent at. Internalized capitalism is not an easy beast to slay, we have to remember it is a multi billion dollar industry set up to work this way and individually it will be difficult to stand up to.
Through solidarity, liberation, conversations and engaging in practical tools we can begin to renegotiate our relationship to internalize capitalism and perhaps make some different choices within a difficult, oppressive system.
About the author
Svea Wentzler, MA is a therapist based in Pennsylvania. She works with adult individuals struggling with the effects of anxiety, worry, depression, shame, trauma, addiction, injustice, heteronormativity, masculinity, productivity, sexism, racism and questions of intersecting identities. She specifically studied LGBTQ affirmative therapy to combat the many ways the heteropatriarchy can make queer people feel like the problem. If you’d like to schedule with or learn more about Svea click here.
About A Better Life Therapy
A Better Life Therapy supports individuals, couples, and families to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones through navigating mental health challenges, improving their relationships, learning new life and relational skills, and building a healthy sense of self. Whether you are facing a difficulty or are looking to take a proactive approach to your mental wellness, we are here.
Locations
A Better Life Therapy offers face to face and virtual therapy. See our locations below. We are continuing to add new states so if you do not see your state listed please check with us at info@abetterlifetherapy.com
In Office Locations
If you would like to meet with your therapist face-to-face in an office, we’ve got you covered. Are offices are designed to make you feel completely at home. Please visit us for:
Therapy in our Center City, Philadelphia office at 100 S Broad Broad Street
Therapy in our Main Line Office in Ardmore, Pennsylvania at 10 E. Athens Ave
Virtual Locations
If you prefer to do therapy from the comfort of your home, workplace, or while out in a park,check out our virtual locations. Right now we are able to offer virtual therapy for people residing in:
California
Maryland
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Utah
Don’t see your state listed? Check with us by emailing info@abetterlifetherapy.com!