Despite the brittle optimism proclaimed by advertising, and not infrequently through state media, the defining mood of the modern era has become one of atomisation and disappointment.

This is not just my opinion—it’s as near a fact as such things can be.

A recent report from the Lancet found global rates of anxiety and depression had rocketed by nearly a third in 2020 alone—the largest increase ever recorded. To be clear that’s an extra 53.2 million cases of depression and about 76.2 million of anxiety than recorded in the previous year.

Add to that, a CDC survey reported that one in four young adults had contemplated suicide in 2020. And in 2021, according to Pew Research, more than a third of the 18-29 demographic in the United States reported “high psychological distress.”

These findings were repeated in the 2021 Harvard Youth Poll, which discovered more than half of young Americans complained of feeling down, depressed or hopeless for at least several days over the past two week period.

Set up to combat these problems, Lifestyle Harmonics guides people through the challenges of today’s world, helping them craft a mode of existence that is both rich and fulfilling.

More specifically, its writing aims to guide us in harnessing both the Apollonian and Dionysian principles, showing us how to capitalise on the tension between chaos and order, passion and prudence, to broaden perspectives, break through barriers, and build a way of living that reflects and reinforces our core values.

It’s articles have, thus far, touched on things like how tough times can lead to greater mental wellbeing; how challenging ourselves can be foundational for long-term satisfaction; and how embracing discomfort can expand consciousness; strengthen relationships; and tighten community sentiment. 

For years, I treaded the conventional path, moving from term time to term time, from school to university, from graduate schemes to the professional world. On paper, my career was respectable, but internally, I felt like I was fading away, like an ember burning out.

Reflecting back on that time, I realised that I was becoming restless and disconnected. The light behind my eyes never faded, rather it seethed and turned sour.

Eventually, I realised it was time to step-back and introspect. And so, I began to read a broad range of topics on science, philosophy, and self-help; from Nietzsche’s profound philosophies to Bastion’s insights on well-being. My curiosity branched outwards; embracing the thoughtful works of Ian McGilChrist and the inspiring writings of Andy Merrifield.

Gradually, I began to record and evaluate these concepts, mapping out a path that would help me live with meaning and purpose. And the result? Lifestyle Harmonics: The complete blueprint on how to optimise your daily living for lasting well-being and personal growth.

According to the brilliant German philosopher Frederic Nietzsche, there are two powerful forces that shape our lives.

First off, there’s the Apollonian—the embodiment of order, structure and reason. Those who follow @apollo_life may seem unemotional and a tad dull, but they’re at least dependable and grounded in reality.

Conversely, there’s the Dionysian—representing chaos, passion, rapturous delight, and freedom from societal constraints. Those who follow @dionysus_life tend to lead lives marked by exhilarating highs and profound lows.

But here’s the kicker: Nietzsche believed that in order to achieve lasting wellbeing and personal growth, we must learn how to move between both ends of the spectrum, and fully integrate the Apollonian with the Dionysian.

Drawing on Nietzsche’s thinking, what we can recognise is that lasting satisfaction arises not from solely adhering to one way of living, but from intertwining two contrasting approaches.

Harmonics, in this context, is not about surrendering to Dionysian urges without restraint, nor is it about retreating into the contemplative world of Apollo.

Instead, it aims to harness the dynamic interplay between these opposing forces to expand horizons, break conventional barriers, and carve out a life that resonates with our core values and aspirations.

Harmonics is based on two main principles; the first states we need to embrace the extreme ends of the spectrum when it comes to living, while the other suggests that, when arranged thoughtfully, these opposing sides can be made to work together to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

Nietzsche expresses this idea in The Birth Of Tragedy: “These opposing tendencies run in parallel to one another, for the most part openly at variance; and yet they continually incite each other to new and more powerful births, which perpetuate the antagonism; till by a miracle of will they appear coupled with one another, creating a form of aliveness that is equally Dionysian and Apollonian.”

In other words, it’s navigating the tension between opposing polarities—Light and Shadow, Justice and Sin, Virtue and Perfidy—that sets the stage for a vibrant and fulfilling life. And while this may seem counterintuitive, there’s plenty of cutting-edge evidence emerging that supports embracing this kind of duality.

For example, we now know that challenging ourselves is foundational for long-term happiness; facing up to discomfort expands consciousness; and embracing adversity not only strengthens relationships; but also tightens community sentiment.

But there’s a problem. Many of us today hold logic and rationality in high regard, prioritising predictability and control over chaos and disorder. We often turn towards cheap thrills and surface-level forms of gratification to make up the difference, mistaking them for genuine forms of Dionysian release. 

However, this is wrong. You see, the Dionysian exists beyond these fleeting pleasures and superficial experiences. I’ve learnt that rediscovering it requires taking risks, pushing boundaries, and embracing the challenges and uncertainties that come with moving beyond the comfort zone.

Picture yourself sitting in a grand concert hall, listening to a skilled violinist. As you immerse yourself in the performance, contemplate the intricate mechanics that make such graceful music possible in the first place.

The secret lies in the precise movements of the violin bow, creating specific vibrations in each individual string that combine to form a harmonious tune. Simple enough, right?

And yet, if even one string falls out of tension, it disrupts the range of sounds the violin is capable of producing—potentially spelling disaster for the entire performance!

Now, here’s the thing: Our lives are like finely-tuned violins. Each string represents the complex interplay of opposing forces—pleasure & pain, for example, or chaos & order—that, taken together, provide meaning and resonance.

However, what happens when the pressures of modern life and the tectonic shifts in how we live our lives disrupt this internal equilibrium? Henry David Thoreau noted as far back as the eighteenth century: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”

Picture this for a moment: much like an untuned violin, our habitual, comfort-driven lives have created a rift between our innate rhythm and our day-to-day actions. This misalignment has subsequently contributed to the increasing mental health challenges witnessed across the western world.

But in the words of rocker Jon Bon Jovi in the classic song, Bad Medicine, “Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I’m not done.” Just as musicians are able to use special sound waves to retune their instruments, we can adapt the principles of Harmonics to retune our own lives.  

By bringing the Apollonian and Dionysian forces together, and harnessing the energy they create, we can break free from our self-induced inertia and drive ourselves forward with passion and purpose.

And this is what the platform is about: bringing opposing values and orientations together in a way that creates kinetic friction, which can then be directed towards freeing ourselves from the dull and monotonous existence we find ourselves in. 

Perhaps the most important polarity to get to grips with, and certainly one of the most misunderstood, is that of pleasure & pain. To this end, I began by looking at how these drives might be better understood within the harmonic context.

My research led me to believe that, just because an experience is negative or hurts us, doesn’t actually mean it’s harmful for us. What’s more, our collective impulse to maximise pleasure while mitigating pain has made our society dramatically more anxious, risk-averse and fragile as a result. 

From this perspective, being more fearless with pain, approaching it head on, exploring its other qualities and developing insights into how and why it has well-being benefits certainly seems like a worth-while endeavour.

And, through my comprehensive series of feature-length articles on the subject, I’ve tried to do just that. 

If you’re new to our site or unsure where to start, the Introduction Section is an excellent place to begin. These resource have been carefully designed to help you grasp the foundational principles of harmonics and begin reshaping your life for more wellbeing and fulfilment. 

Alternatively, dive into our extensive collection of articles. It’s packed with valuable insights and strategies for reshaping your daily activities to achieve lasting well-being and personal growth.

And if you still have questions or simply want to say hello? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch! I’m always delighted to hear from my readers.