Coping With Hopelessness

Are you feeling overwhelmed right now? Hopeless? Helpless? That makes sense. There’s a lot happening right now and we’re constantly being flooded with new information, tragedies, and things to fear. On top of this, we’re expected to continue our lives, as normal. But it’s not really normal. The amount of information we have about the world is more than any one of us can hold. The expectation to always be producing no matter what isn’t normal. When we are looking at the world at this mass scale, it makes sense to be totally overwhelmed, to feel helpless, to feel hopeless.

When you notice these feelings, it’s important to name them, even just to yourself. To remind yourself that it truly isn’t normal to witness this much tragedy and then go work your 9-5 with a big smile. You may still have to do that, but even being able to remind yourself that it’s an outrageous expectation.

Here is a non-comprehensive list of things to do when you feel overwhelmed by the world’s tragedies:

• Find space to feel your feelings - grief, sadness, anger

• Be with community - whether it’s a close friend or a group of people, it can be helpful to know you’re not alone in your grief, anger, fear, etc

• Find somewhere in your life where you can make an impact. This could be at the community level - volunteering/donating to an organization you care about; interpersonal level - reaching out to a loved one to offer tangible support with something they’re struggling with (picking up groceries, driving them to an appointment); or on a personal level - making sure your basic needs are met

• Take breaks in news consumption, be intentional about what time of day you check in with the news

• Express yourself with art, movement, etc.

• Find sources of inspiration from historical figures/moments or people you admire in your personal life. Reminders that things can change, even when things feel hopeless

As always, take what is helpful and leave the rest. I hope you have the week you need.