It feels like a paradox addressing individual needs through the lens of the collective.
Ignoring an individual's needs in the collective isn’t helpful because the collective is formed by individuals. Placing an individual’s needs above the group’s needs and well-being is equally challenging. The question isn’t about who is more important but what we see between the two.
When placing our personal needs in the context where others are involved and the challenges in the environment, we have a better way of viewing cause and effect between us and others. With the mentality that we support ourselves (and get support from others) with feelings and needs, how might we step into our power and take it to serve the collective?
Seeing the dynamics and impact between us and the collective is the first step to deciding where “I” end and “we” start.
