võõruse

Võõruse is an Estonian term that translates to alienation or estrangement. It refers to a feeling of detachment, separation, or unfamiliarity from something that should be familiar or one's own. This can encompass a range of experiences, from a personal sense of not belonging or feeling disconnected from one's true self, to a broader social or political alienation where individuals feel distanced from their community, society, or cultural norms.

The concept of võõruse can be observed in various contexts. In psychology, it might describe a person's feelings of isolation or lack of connection with others. Sociologically, it can refer to the alienation of individuals from their labor, the products of their labor, or the social structures they inhabit. In a more personal sense, it can describe the feeling of being a stranger in one's own home or country, or a disconnect from one's heritage or identity. The term emphasizes a sense of displacement or being outside of a presumed belonging. It is a multifaceted concept that captures a subjective experience of not being at home, whether that home is internal, social, or cultural.