"We may soon see a rise in crypto therapists, Web3 wellness coaches, and mental health DAOs committed to trauma-informed economic models." This is the bold claim by Christine Walter of christimewaltercoaching.com in her article "Crypto and Mental Health: Why the Blockchain could be good for your brain." In my previous post, I looked at alberdioni8406's post "The Day I Stopped Talking About Crypto and Started Using Money: Why I Chose Bitcoin Cash" from the lense of respect, the first letter in the R.E.C.O.N.C.I.L.I.A.T.I.O.N. framework. Under the subheading "Money Shouldn't Choose Who to Work For" he criticizes the fact that even in the cryptocurrency world, the people who benefit are usually "those who already have a bank account, time, and technical knowledge" which means a huge group of people is excluded. In Christine Walter's subheading "A Nervous System Perspective — What Financial Systems Do to Us" she notes that: "For many people, traditional systems—banks, credit scores, student loans, social security—aren’t just stressful. They’re emotionally and biologically dysregulating." She mentions the Psychologist Gabor Maté and his writings on "how powerlessness and lack of control are core ingredients in chronic stress and trauma" then connects those same principles to financial trauma "an increasingly recognized phenomenon that impacts everything from self-worth to relationships."

Alberdioni8406 noted that Bitcoin Cash never asked him his origin, whether he had a bank account or his net worth. "It just works. And that is RARE." Christine Walter expresses similar sentiments in her article: "When people enter the crypto space, many report a radical nervous system experience: the feeling of choice. They can move. They can earn. They can exit systems that once controlled them. This is emotional regulation through financial sovereignty." She also notes that Crypto culture provides three things that are crucial for psychological wellbeing, namely autonomy (control over one's choices), competency (I would call it opportunities for lifelong learning) and relatedness (I would call it community). Afrogoth provides all three for Afrogothers - the curious, playful, global citizens who love the stories and histories that clothes tell. For curiosity to thrive there must be autonomy. As mentioned in my previous posts, Afrogoth encourages learning and collaboration. Also mentioned in my previous post, "Ubuntu, Decentralized Finance and Decentralized Fashion" community is at the heart of Afrogoth, with the African Ubuntu philosophy of "I am because we are" being foundational. Christine Walter goes on to expound on the community aspect of crypto: "People who’ve felt misunderstood in traditional finance, academia, or society often find a home in the decentralized ecosystem. Crypto Twitter, DAOs, NFT communities, and blockchain projects often prioritize: Pseudonymity... Meritocracy... Creativity... Shared language... Crypto—at its best—offers new spaces for self-expression and mutual support." It is my hope that similarly, Afrogoth will offer a space for self-expression and mutual support.

Under my subheading of Empathy and Equity, I highlighted alberdioni8406's experiences as an African: "Bitcoin Cash works in my town, in many other African cities, in the world, and in any other place where there's internet, no matter how much you are transferring or receiving...For informal markets, local transport, and small businesses, they don't need technical details. They just need to pay, receive, and survive one more day." In Christine Walter's subheading "Autonomy through Decentralization" she makes the observation that: "For the first time, people from hyperinflationary countries or censored regions can hold stable assets and transact globally without governmental permission. They’re not just earning money—they’re regaining psychological agency."

Christine Walter also notes that Web3 and crypto economies offer new earning structures, including Play-to-earn games. Sidenote: I created my very first videogame using just one prompt. The game is based on an A.I. image I generated called "Fashion on the Runway" featuring African models dressed in gothic attire, walking on a runway...an airport runway! The image was top 10 percent out of 5693 entries in an online competition called "On the Runway". Christine Walter also mentions "tokenized creative projects" a topic I explored in my previous post.

Here's a fun leso saying that I interpret to be championing friends who are empathetic: "Heri pancha ya pajero kuliko rafiki mwenye kero" - It is better to have a flat tyre on your Pajero than have a troublesome friend.

Another leso saying from the same page, that can apply to empathy: "Umpendae mfwate na akufaae usimuache" - Follow whom you love and do not forsake the one who suits you.

This leso saying can also apply to empathy, especially in spaces where there is no empathy, empathy is frowned upon or looked at as weakness: "Thamani ya taa ni kiza kiingiapo" - The value of light is noticed when night falls (or when there is darkness).

The goth subculture is not afraid to deal with darkness. Afrogoth adds some light into this darkness, including using dark humour.

Yet another leso saying that can apply to empathy: "Pendo ni kitu cha hiari" - Love is out of choice.

Like love, empathy is a choice.

Have an empathetic week, month and year!