5. The Interplay Between Self and Group

Whether on the weekend or some other day, the key is being alone.

In thinking alone.

Yes.

That is true.

There are good and bad sides to that. I know about a company where everyone pulled together and overcame a crisis. Everyone was positive and energetic. Later when they underwent counselling during their check-up, it turns out they were all on the edge - one step away from emotional breakdown.

Oh.

Not one of them was truly healthy. According to the mental specialist, they were able to stay so energetic because they were working so hard to persevere. Another reason was because they were all together. In other words, you can keep your spirits up if someone is nearby who says, “I feel fine!”

Uh-huh.

High spirits are contagious.

That’s right. That’s why it helps to have peers. But at the same time, you can lose sight of yourself.

Oh, uh-huh.

The various teams at Nintendo are doing well, so everyone can keep up their energy, but alone, you begin to notice the cracks. It’s important to notice that in creative work. Then you realise what it is that you really want to do.

That’s right.

I feel like those cracks that appear when you’re alone are important. You can’t get over everything just by being close with your peers or feeling good at that moment. It isn’t so great if you lose heart whenever you’re alone either, so there’s a subconscious interplay between what’s good about being in a group and what’s good about being away from the group.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

I do also enjoy being alone sometimes.