What to do when literally everything around you is going to shit.
Let’s face it- these days it feels like we're living through a different historic event every other week. Pretty much every time we turn on the TV or scroll through social media we're constantly reminded about how these are ‘unprecedented times’.... aka the world is currently a giant dumpster fire that we have no idea how to fix.
Between the Coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, politics, and whatever was going on with those murder hornets, life has been pretty stressful lately.
I'm sure most of us are tired of living through these ‘unprecedented times.’ Personally, I’d much rather be living during some boring ‘precedented times,’ ideally, where absolutely nothing insane happens for at least the next 30 years. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that’s going to be happening anytime soon. In the meantime, we have to learn to cope with the general insanity that the world is currently experiencing.
So what exactly can you do when it feels like the world is seconds away from exploding?
Here are a few tips!
1. Step Back and Unplug
Lately, it may feel like you absolutely have to stay updated 24/7, or else you’re a selfish person who doesn’t care about the important issues. With the rise of social media, the constant need to always know what’s going on has increased.
While it's important to stay updated, it’s also good to take a step back every once in a while. Take some time to listen to your favorite song. Watch some dumb reality TV. Go for a walk around your neighborhood. Anything that will help you relax for a bit. The news will still be there when you return, I promise.
2. Appreciate the Little Things
Sometimes we can get so focused on everything terrible happening that we forget about all of the good. Even though it might not always feel like it, there is still a lot of good worth celebrating.
Whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed try and remember all the things that make you smile, no matter how small they might be. Whether it’s the sunsets that light up the sky, spending time snuggling with your pet, or eating ice cream on a sunny day; life is filled with many different reasons to be happy, even when the world is on fire.
3. Take Action
We all know the world is facing an insane amount of challenges right now. So why not try to help out? Instead of complaining about the problem, be a part of the solution (but let's be honest, we’ll probably still complain anyway).
Now I’m not saying you should single-handedly come up with a life-saving vaccine or solve world hunger overnight. But there are many different actions you can take to give back to your community. You can join different charities and volunteer groups, donate to different causes if you can afford to, speak out when something is wrong, and so much more.
4. Remember You’re Only Human
At the end of the day, nobody can put out this gigantic dumpster fire alone. It’s important to remember there’s only so much a single person can do. The fate of the entire world isn’t your problem to solve alone.
Sometimes all we can do is scream into our pillow, take a hot bath, and then rewatch New Girl for the millionth time.
Even though these tips probably won't put out the flames completely, hopefully they'll help you destress next time it feels like the end of the world is near. So take a deep breath, try to relax, and remember life is never as bad as it seems.