Does anyone else ever feel overwhelmed by the current state of the world? Or how little we can do to solve its' biggest issues? Or even, the fact that sometimes doing our upmost is still not enough if no one else cares? You're welcome for those happy thoughts. But in all honesty, I feel like each day I wake up we're closer and closer to making the human race extinct, but I have less and less power to change it. Tbh we're living in a Black Mirror Episode.
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| Just a witty GIF to detract from this mini-breakdown of a post |
Not to depress anyone reading this but we're on the brink of creating irreversible climate change, our government is too obsessed with Br*x*t to help it's own citizens, and now the supposed 'light of the world' is leading by the example of reversing women's rights over their own bodies?!! I mean hello? surely the state of our world is enough to drive the sanest person insane. Recently I've been on the brink of a breakdown every time I watch a David Attenborough Documentary or look at trending topics on Twitter. I mean I've got enough I can't deal with in my own life, without processing global injustices as well.
Let's be honest I have no qualifications to make a post giving advice, but selfishly I need to make this list to get a rant off my back. If you too are being overwhelmed by the world then carry on reading, as, as a perfect specimen for sanity, I have some suggestions on how to combat the mounting stress of being a human in 2019 (but first a nice calming picture):
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| ooo nature, lovely. |
1. If you care enough about a cause, get active in your community. If like me the most you usually do for a cause is retweet a celebrity's rant because you feel like you're too insignificant to make a meaningful difference *inhale*, it's time to get out of bed and take 5 minutes to investigate local organisations that are fighting for what you believe. Be it mental health, women's rights or the environmental crisis, there is probably a related society, group or meetings near you - you don't have to take to the streets to begin the process of making a difference! For the most part joining one of these organisations is an easy way to help within your means, meet like minded people and reduce the guilt and stress that comes with being an empathetic, sensitive soul (youths are so delicate, am I right mums/dads and grandparents?). But for real, yesterday I took part in the 'Youth Strike 4 Climate Change', to protest the Bristol Airport expansion and the world's passive stance towards our damaged climate. Whilst I can't pretend I didn't feel like a prat when we started the march with a 'die in', it didn't matter, as I was proud of myself for trying to make a difference and lending my time to a cause I believe in. Let's be real, doing things out of our comfort zones is scary, however a million percent of the time it's so important to challenge yourself to do new things (sorry I know that was cringe). My experience of the protest was nothing but positive, and frankly, the march restored my faith in humanity as it was full of many young people (and adults) smiling and marching together, all with the same aim. Ultimately, I think it's important to feel like you're part of something bigger than yourself, and it's even better when you can do this in a way that's in line with your values.
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| #theactivistlife, I know, I'm a saint |
2. Change your news source. I think the news is like a Comic Relief show, it's important and ensures you aren't being blindsided, but ultimately no matter how many James Corden skits we get distracted by, we are reminded that the world is unfair and children are dying. Again, sorry. Of course it's important to understand what is happening in the world, however I find myself being overwhelmed by the daily onslaught of negative news stories. Websites like https://www.positive.news/environment/uk-government-bans-plastic-straws-stirrers-and-cotton-buds/, provide positive, alternative, but still important, news stories to help you remember that people are inherently good and change is happening. It's always nice to remember that the world is not full of arseholes who want to redo any positive human progress, blow you and everyone you love up then remove the healthcare that could help you get better, thanks to their money-grabbing motivation -ya know? Just chill thoughts in my brain ladies and gentlemen.
3. Find other ways to relax or be distracted than going on your phone. No your Dad has not taken over my blog, so hear me out. More than anyone I love a good wind-down phone sesh, but as we all know social media can not only damage our self worth, but means we are never disconnected from the world. No matter how conscious you are of it, we are all conditioned to jump on our phone in any spare second, at any notification. Ultimately, this leaves us disconnected and underinvested in our own lives, and over-connected and over-invested in everyone else's. Recently, I've been feeling a lot less of what I'm naming "worldwide-injustice-stress", by finding new, non-phone based things I enjoy, to help me relax. If anything, it helps bring you back to the real world. These don't even have to be crazy creative endeavours, I've been going up to my local park and just sitting or reading for a bit in the sun. Who'd've thunk the sun would make you feel brighter? Weird. Not only does this give me a 'holier-than-thou I'm so artsy and different attitude', but just sitting and watching the world go by is a nice way to bring me back to reality and remember to live in the moment - #yolo ya know? Another mega cool thing I've been enjoying doing is some highly skilled colouring-in, but I appreciate we can't all be this talented so maybe try painting your nails or something? (For more ideas take a gander at my post on rating self-care methods.) P.S I had to get glasses for when I look at screens cos my eyes were straining too much. If that's not nature's way of telling me to do something other than watch Ru Paul, I don't know what is.
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| oooo a sneak peak at my new glasses, but more importantly an unfinished, unnamed colouring project xoxo stay tuned for more updates. |
4. Leave the house. Whenever you get into a 'worldwide-injustice-stress' or even a personal stress, we often think it's best to stay protected inside and under the covers. However, the best way to get out of your head is to leave that little avoidance bubble. Even if it's just a five minute walk to the end of your road, a little bit of fresh air can be a nice reminder that the world carries on turning no matter what and only you are in control of your actions (namaste).
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| a photo I got this one time when I left the house. |
5. To be honest I'd be a massive hypocrite if I claimed I was always able to leave my room. Obviously I am perfect, but sometimes even a walk to the corner shop can seem overwhelming. If this is the case for you too, another way to escape your own mind is to call a close friend or family member, you don't live with, and check in with their lives. Don't forget everyone else has down days as well, and sometimes a chat with your Grandparents is the best way to come back to earth, without putting pressure on yourself.
5. Sign a fu*kload of petitions or even create one. If leaving the house or going to a meeting etc. is too daunting, then one way to make a change is to sign and share petitions. If you can't find one that is trying to change something you think is an issue then go crazy and create one. You'll never know what happens until you try. Similarly, for issues related to the government like action for Climate Change or human rights, one of the best ways to help apply pressure is to write to your local MP or councillor (the website https://www.writetothem.com can link you to the necessary person!) At the end of the day we're lucky to live in a democracy, so we should be exercising our democratic rights!
6. Go to the pub and get p*ssed. If all else fails a sure-fire way to forget the world's problems is to get down to your local spoons with your mates and drown your sorrows. In a healthy way of course we promote fun here not alcoholism. Also if you don't drink maybe go for a nice Wagamama's meal or something? I don't know.
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| chin-chin. |
Good luck in reducing the crushing weight of the world's problems, and if you are lucky enough to not give a sh*t - congratulations. I'm sure this list will have helped 100% of you in fixing any issues you're having, and you will have defo read this far and are ready to change ya life, so you're very welcome xoxo
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