By Kendall Worth!
Easter approaches, and as I have written in a recent BLOG post, the rising cost of living makes it increasingly difficult for people living in poverty to be able to afford even a modest celebration.
But it is not just inflation that make this holiday – and others such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, a difficult time for those on Income Assistance. There is also the reality of social isolation, about which I have written frequently. Holidays can be a time of great loneliness and alienation for that large community of people for whom I advocate through this BLOG. For some, the struggles to build a social network of friends and maintain family relations is attributed to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
But as I have written about in a more recent BLOG post, it is my impression that more and more people nowadays seem to be framing their isolation as a reflection of their personal nature and character – “I am simply an introvert!”, they exclaim. This self-diagnosis may prompt them, even if invited out to a social gathering, to cancel at the last minute.
Just to be clear: being introverted is a personality characteristic, not a mental health issue. All of us fall somewhere on the continuum between Introvert and Extrovert.
An introvert is someone who prefers to focus on internal thoughts and feelings rather than on external things and social interaction. Introverts are often described by others as quiet, shy or withdrawn.
Of course, introverts and extroverts are not limited to people living in poverty, or Income Assistance Recipients. But I have questions whether many First Voices are truly introverts by nature. Perhaps their limited financial circumstances, combined with issues like social anxiety and stress, means that these people are obliged to spend much time alone and isolated? Then as they adapt to this loneliness, they start to justify it as a personal preference, “because I am an introvert”.
True introverts are people who prefer to be alone, - they make a conscious choice to isolate themselves because they see being alone as an opportunity to focus on their own thoughts and interests. I do see this preference reflected in some of my First Voice friends. But not all, and maybe not even a majority.
Many of my friends and contacts do live in relative isolation, but this is not really by free choice. It is often because they do not have the financial resources to socialize – whether that is for a coffee or a drink or a movie. And it is often because they have social anxieties or behavioural issues that make relationship-building difficult. In some cases, as I have discussed in other BLOGS, the stress and anxiety they must deal with is often a response to social stigma directed at them for various reasons.
For that reason, I am worried that over time, many people on Income Assistance start to normalize their social isolation. And I have written in this BLOG about how some IA recipients have started to frame this social isolation as their Comfort Zones.
This is NOT healthy. Imposed Social Isolation should NOT be our Comfort Zone!
Looking back, I see that I first wrote about this issue over 8 years ago, in an article in the Nova Scotia Advocate. In that article, I examined how Easter can be a particularly difficult holiday for low income and socially isolated people. This is largely due to religious and cultural factors: the celebration of Easter tends to be more somber and subdued in Christian households, and for non-religious families it is often focused on children and chocolates.
Easter just does not have the same inclusive and celebratory community spirit of Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a result, there are many fewer personal invitations or community events over the long Easter Weekend. This only increases the degree of social isolation and sense of loneliness felt by many.
I will note that there is one opportunity for distraction this Easter of 2025: we are in the middle of a federal election. As I have written before, election campaigns can provide an excellent opportunity for “zero cost socializing” in our community, and hopefully with minimal risk of social stigma. Campaigns provide an opportunity to work and socialize with other volunteers.
I appreciate that this may not be seen as much of an “opportunity” by those amongst us who consider themselves introverts. But for people seeking an opportunity to get out, engage socially and gain some useful volunteer work experience, election campaigns can be a unique space, as I wrote during our recent provincial election. This is particularly true through a long, 4 day weekend.
NOTE: I will share news of any no-cost special events organized over Easter by local community organizations, - particularly if they include an Easter Holiday Dinner. To date, I have not seen any advertised.
A Closing Word on the connection to Social Prescribing
I have written extensively on the importance of people on Income Assistance having a community of friends and peers with whom to socialize. For over a year now, I have been advocating for the establishment of a Social Prescription Program / Organization in HRM. One of the central purposes of such an organization would be to facilitate events and programs spaces in which IA recipients can develop friendships and social networks, - and build a new comfort zone that includes others and provides safe spaces for personal growth and recreation. This could even include perhaps a sober bar, for after- hours socializing.
Such a program could also provide an opportunity for those who now self-identify as introverts to safely explore the boundaries of their social life, and get a sense of how much their introverted nature is internally driven vs externally imposed.
It would be wonderful if by 2026, we could have in Halifax a program and facility that could host celebratory gatherings and dinners on Easter and other holidays and occasions.
In the meantime, let me end this BLOG by extending my best wishes for everyone in our community to celebrate Easter 2025 the best we can!
Kendall Worth is an award-winning anti-poverty activist who lives with disabilities and tries to make ends meet on income assistance.
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