So over the last year and a half, I've become acutely aware of the close link between psychology and physiology. It appeared that, in addition to being physically restrained, we were also mentally restrained. We were confined in our own homes and flats, but we were also stuck within our own brains. 

We fell into cycle thinking, and I believe a lot of that was due to the fact that there were no new inputs, no new experiences being added to our life, so we didn't have innovative thoughts. All of this was exacerbated by the fact that the algorithms that we were most likely relying on extensively through YouTube, Netflix, and Twitter all understand what we tend to click on.

So we begin to create these deep digital grooves into specific themes of interest, and you begin to get recommended the same information day in and day out, and you begin to question, like, why am I trapped in a rut? Why am I having the same thoughts all the time, and why can't I break out of this cycle? When you take a step back, it all seems quite evident, but when you're stuck in it, it's difficult to obtain the perspective you need to get out of that circumstance and into a better one.

And another thing that's become clear about human nature in the last year is that when we don't have that outside influence, when we don't talk to new people, when we don't have a sort of outside network and we're just trapped inside our own heads, it's almost always a really bad thing over time. While it may be beneficial to be alone from time to time and learn to be alone with yourself, too much of it, too much isolation, nearly invariably corrupts us.

It appears that human beings function optimally when we work together, when we share new ideas, when we help each other out, when we carry a load and accept responsibility to help the group, and it's this putting yourself out there, this voluntary acceptance of responsibility, that gives life meaning.

When you feel like you're contributing to something, you can keep the existential dread of existence at bay. As we become involved in various sub-communities, sports teams, reading groups, and volunteer activities, our lives seem to expand and become more positive and full of possibilities. We're not as enslaved by our own negative mindset. I believe this is due to a close relationship between our psychology and the physical space that we occupy.

Our consciousness extends to the places we visit and the people we interact with. We gain access to new ideas and ways of thinking as a result of these external influences. We also gain access to parts of the brain that we would not have access to if we were alone.

There's a reason why so many self-help gurus, psychologists, and Navy Seals advise you to make your bed, clean your room, and organize your physical space. Jocko Willink, Jordan Peterson, you name it, these people are all saying that the physical environment in which you are a part of is an extension of yourself.

Following the same line of reasoning, I'd say that the physical size, the literal square footage of your physical surroundings, is akin to the square footage of your mental, existential surroundings. And it may seem strange to say, but I believe most people intuitively understand that if you never leave your house and are stuck living the same day over and over again, your existence begins to feel insignificant. 

On a daily basis, the number of things you have an impact on is quite small. It's possible that your life will begin to feel insignificant. You don't make as much of an impact on the world as you could if you were out there interacting with more things.

It's the same reason why people who travel extensively return home after a year of travel. They're so inspired and full of life, and they have so many new ideas and perspectives.

That's because they mentally travel to new places as well as physically traveling to new places. Their existence appears to be more significant. And even if you don't have the luxury of going wherever you want whenever you want, which I know a lot of people don't, this still applies to whatever town or city you live in.

It refers to activities to which you say yes or no. These things matter if you actually say yes to that salsa dancing class or that Brazilian jujitsu class, or if you actually say yes to playing beach volleyball with your brother and his wife. New experiences broaden your horizons and give your life more meaning. 

All of this was essentially a long-winded way of saying, go outside. Obviously not in a way that will harm or endanger anyone, but by injecting yourself into the world around you rather than hiding in a tower like Rapunzel, you'll begin to feel like you have some control over your own life.