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eigen.regie – An evening because of and against loneliness

On the occasion of the nationwide campaign week “Together out of loneliness” 2024, proclaimed by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, an evening event on the topic of loneliness took place in the packed Kammerspiele of the Bochum Schauspielhaus on Tuesday, June 18 at 7.30 pm.

“eigen.regie – Ein Abend wegen und gegen Einsamkeit” was a stage discussion with people who are confronted with the topic through their work, their personal commitment and their experiences. Because they want to research it scientifically, solve it politically, make it more bearable through commitment or problematize it in the media and artistically. At eigen.regie, protagonists from the fields of science, culture, sport, journalism and social volunteering spoke about loneliness as a problem and how it can be solved – in an entertaining way and yet appropriate to the seriousness of the topic.

Participants included sociologist Dr. Marie-Kristin Döbler (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg), musician Joris, poetry slammer Sebastian 23, ToM – Theater ohne Mittel, presenter, journalist and DJ Miriam Davoudvandi, Steven Bauernfeind from Nightline Bochum, former VfL Bochum player and long-standing board member Patrick Fabian and musician Antje Schomaker, with Freddie Schürheck as moderator, hosted by Freddie Schürheck from Radio 1Live and Sat1 and with a video greeting from NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst.

In addition to this discussion format, a total of 7 workshops took place throughout the week of action, in which very different social groups set out on a joint search for concrete solution ideas, common wishes and political scope. The workshops took place in cooperation with municipal initiatives, clubs and associations, including Ruhr-Universität Bochum and VfL Bochum.

The SFB 1280 actively supported the organization of this evening with its Ö project, because we perceived the project as an extraordinary opportunity to support the dialogue about a relevant psychological phenomenon across research and social boundaries, which affects everyone and which also takes place in the university environment. After the SFB 1280 itself had the great honor of hosting Braintalks at Schauspielhaus Bochum last year, we used this experience to encourage and support the eigen. initiative to also dedicate an event to their cause in front of and with the public urban society. eigen. is a voluntary initiative that is actively committed to the growing challenge of loneliness.

Idea and organization: Tim Kramer, Sonja Israel (eigen.ruhr)
Support and cooperation: SFB 1280, Ruhr-Uni Bochum, VfL Bochum, Stadt Bochum uvw.
More on the initiative „eigen.“: www.eigen.ruhr/eigenregie or www.instagram.com/eigen.bochum/

Impressionen vom Abend:

Credits:
Phots © Finn Kantus
Poster: © Tim Kramer and Sonja Israel (eigen.)

New Year, New Me: The Facts

As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).

Most common new years resolutions:

  1. Saving more money (52%)
  2. Eat healthier (50%)
  3. Exercise more (48%)
  4. Lose weight (37%)
  5. Spend more time with family/friends (35%)

How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?

  • Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week. 
  • 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month. 
  • 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.

What makes resolutions stick?

Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.

The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all. 

Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.

So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.