Loneliness is rising. More people feel isolated than they did a decade ago. Young people are particularly affected. Politicians talk about the problem. Commentators blame social media. Others blame technology, changing lifestyles or the decline of community.

But what if the real cause lies deeper?

What if loneliness is not an accident, but a consequence of the way we have been taught to think about ourselves?

In this video, I explore the idea that neoliberalism has not only reshaped our economy and politics, but has also captured our minds. We have been encouraged to judge ourselves by our income, our status, our careers and what we own. We are told that success is measured by consumption and achievement. We are encouraged to compete rather than connect with one another.

The result is a society in which many people feel they are never good enough, never successful enough and never wealthy enough. At the same time, relationships, community and simple human connection are pushed into the background.

Using data on loneliness in the UK, I examine why this crisis is growing, why young people appear particularly vulnerable to it, and why loneliness is increasingly affecting our relationships, our work, our politics, and our sense of well-being.

Most importantly, I ask what we can do about it.

The answer begins by recognising that neoliberalism is not just an economic system. It is also a set of values that many of us have internalised without realising it. Once we understand that, we can begin to challenge those values and replace them with something better.

The alternative may be found in a surprisingly simple idea: enough.

Knowing when we have enough frees us from the endless pressure to accumulate more. It allows us to focus on relationships rather than possessions, on people rather than status, and on well-being rather than wealth.

If neoliberalism has captured us, recognising that fact may be the first step towards freedom.

What do you think? Has neoliberalism changed the way we think about ourselves and each other?