What if the answer isn’t to split ourselves in two, but to come up with something whole?

What if the answer isn’t to split ourselves in two, but to come up with something whole?

Still from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) — one of the inspirations behind the series by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle

Numerous fan theories explore the inspirations behind Severance, interweaving elements from science fiction, philosophy, and late-capitalist dystopian narratives.

One of the speculations connects the show’s premise to a 2014 episode of Parks and Recreation, where Adam Scott’s character, Ben Wyatt, proposes keeping work and home life separate, a concept eerily similar to the central theme of Severance.

Nearly half of Gen Z say they’d undergo a Severance-style procedure, as found in a recent survey by Unmind. Interviewees wish they could separate their work memories from personal ones. We know, work today can feel endless and invasive, leaving little space to just be.

Still, maybe the answer isn’t to forget work entirely but to reconnect with what truly matters.

Let’s try this: sit down and list ten things you’d like to see in your life. Not tasks, but real things: people, feelings, creative ideas, places. Revisit this list periodically, especially during hectic times. Let it serve as a compass, guiding your choices and reminding you why is it important to keep going.

Even if work environments remain challenging, maintaining this connection to our core values can transform our experience. In a world where we’re expected to split ourselves up, embracing our full selves becomes an act of resilience and authenticity. As you’ve probably seen in the last episode.

Author

  • Katia Vlasova

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