How To Cope When The World Is On Fire

Sep 1

I don’t think I need to tell any of you that life is hard right now.

Every day on the news, there are numerous things that hit us like a pile of bricks, leaving us feeling sad, exhausted, and helpless. And there’s no end in sight - at least not for the time being.

That’s in addition to the day-to-day stressors that have always been there but have likely been made harder by what’s going on more globally.

The tedium of grocery shopping now induces anger as you’re staring down prices that have doubled or tripled.
Going outside to do yard work in 100 degree weather is a reminder of the growing impact of climate change.
Carving out time to go to the doctor also reminds you that your deductible is $1,000 more this year than it was last year.
And you go into work not only having to deal with the usual stressors of meetings and emails, but also budget cuts, the disappearance of grant funding, and the fact that your job is a lot less secure than it was just a year ago.

And if you’ve got a big heart and a sensitive soul, then it can feel like too much to bear to watch so many people suffer, and to know that even more will suffer as a result of everything going on.

I know that a lot of us would love to go to sleep for the next several years with the hopes of waking up to a better reality. Yet obviously that’s not an option.

Coping Strategies When You’re Emotionally Exhausted

So what ARE the options for coping with everything in the meantime, when you feel like you’re getting knocked to the ground over and over again?

Here are my top strategies for coping when the world is on fire:

Be mindful and intentional about your news and social media intake.
You do not have to check the news 100 times a day to stay informed, so check it once or twice, at times when you feel like you have more bandwidth and capacity to take it whatever you see or hear. Also cultivate media sources that are less triggering to you and that present the news in a way that’s easier for you to take in.
Identify the thing that’s making you feel most helpless or anxious, and pick one, tiny step that you can take that will help in that particular area.
For example, if you’re feeling helpless about climate change, then maybe swap out your paper towels for reusable rags. Or if you’re worried about your job security, then maybe take 30 minutes to brush up your CV. Small steps not only create momentum and change when done over time, but they also create a sense of agency and empowerment, the opposite of helplessness.
Engage in some form of advocacy that matches your capacity levels.
This can really be anything, big or small, from donating to a cause, calling your representatives, or volunteering your time to an organization you value.
Engage in REAL self-care.
Disconnect from your email. Go outside when it’s nice out. Spend time with your pets. Do things that are playful and bring you joy. And REST. No one is able to cope well if they’re completely depleted and burned out.
Connect with others.
When you’re feeling down, hopeless, and tired, it can be so easy to start isolating yourself. And yet we need reminders that we’re not alone in what we’re going through, as well as support as we trudge through all of the challenges that are thrown our way. This doesn’t have to be carving out hours of time - even sending a friend a quick text when you think of them can make a difference.

And if you feel like you need the help of a therapist during this difficult time, feel free to reach out - I’m happy to help.