We’re living in dark times. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, I feel more and more uncertain about the future of the world. This has been especially true over the course of the last year or so. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the negativity, hatred, and ignorance permeating our communities and society as a whole. And yet, the world keeps on turning, even during dark times. Those of us who can, continue to persevere. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a struggle. Here are some ways I’ve learned to stay grounded and positive in the bleakest situations.

Do What You Can

If you consider our current polarized political climate, the most recent wave of larger than life natural disasters, mass shootings, and the reality of living in Donald Trump’s America (where NFL players who protest peacefully are condemned more harshly than tiki-torch-carrying racists and the threat of a nuclear war is realer than it’s been since the Cold War), it can be hard to find the silver lining in that huge, dark cloud that hangs up above. Seriously though, the world kind of sucks right now: truck bombings in Somalia, ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, I could go on and on. We are destroying each other and our planet and it’s depressing AF. If you’re anything like me, you start to feel helpless thinking about all the problems you care about but can’t solve. But as much as we may want to, individually we do not have the power to save the world. That’s just a reality we have to deal with. However, the good news is that there are ways to help: donating to organizations that can enact real change, volunteering, spreading the word about issues you care about to raise awareness, etc. So instead of feeling overwhelmed and powerless, I’ve found solace in doing what I can to affect change, however small it may seem. We can all do our part.

Give Yourself Permission To Feel

As a super-sensitive person, I used to feel self-conscious and ashamed of how emotional I was. I was called a crybaby during my younger days and I always considered my sensitive nature to be a weakness, a curse. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to regard it as one of my better qualities. My sensitivity allows me to be more caring, more empathetic, more in tune with other people’s feelings. Now I look forward to a good cry every now and then: it’s cleansing. I’ve gotten better at controlling how I express my emotions over the years, but I still allow myself to feel them. There’s nothing wrong with being sensitive or emotional. Giving myself permission to feel is one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself.

Know When To Disconnect

We live in a world where we’re constantly plugged in: online all the time, information and news at our fingertips. It’s easy to become oversaturated with information and bad news. Sometimes you just need to disconnect from the world for a little while. This could mean taking a break from social media, changing the channel when the (bad) news comes on, or going somewhere quiet to meditate. All the negativity surrounding us can really become a burden, especially if you’re naturally a sensitive, empathetic person. I’m not saying you should ignore all the bad things happening in the world, but I find it helpful to temporarily unplug and refocus my energy on something else. Which leads to my next point…

Stop And Smell The Roses

A sunny day. A grasshopper sighting. A swarm of butterflies. A smile from a child on the train. It’s easy to take the little things for granted. But sometimes it’s those little things that brighten up your day. When I’m feeling stressed or frustrated, I try to remind myself of all the things I’m grateful for. Taking time to appreciate the smallest blessings usually makes me feel better, as cliché as that may sound. I’ve found that reconnecting with nature is also a great way to stay grounded, find my “happy place,” and appreciate the beauty of the world. 

Keep Your Friends Close

We live in uncertain times. Don’t take your loved ones for granted. This is a big one and something I’ve been working on. Whenever I go through a period of growth, I tend to go into hermit mode because I get so wrapped up in trying to carve out a better version of myself. Unfortunately, my relationships tend to get pushed to the back burner a little bit. This isn’t because I don’t care about my family and friends, it’s just because I like to offer them my best self, and if I can’t do that, I tend to withdraw a little until I can. They say misery loves company, but the last thing I want to do is drag the people I care about into my funk. So if you haven’t seen or heard from me awhile, I’m just trying to be better for you, boo! But in all seriousness, what I want more than anything is to reconnect with those close to my heart and just be more open in general.

Create, Share, Repeat (Find An Outlet)

If I didn’t have writing as an outlet, I don’t know what I’d do. Writing isn’t for everyone, but I definitely think it’s important to find some sort of outlet (creative or otherwise) to help sort through your feelings and let out your frustration. This is especially important during dark times. Physical activity works well for a lot of people; escapism through binge-watching a show on Netflix, or reading a book works for others. Dance. Paint. Run. Read. Write. Do whatever you need to do to help keep you grounded. If you can share that experience with others by having a movie marathon with friends, taking a dance class, or joining a book club, that’s even better. Solidarity matters.

If You Can’t Laugh a Lot, Laugh a Little

Last but not least, I’ve always found laughter to be the greatest medicine during dark times. I admit that I am sometimes guilty of using humor as a defense mechanism, but it really does make life a little easier, if only for a moment. Physically, laughter releases endorphins and decreases the production of cortisol (stress hormone), so it’s not just a cliché or myth that laughing makes you feel better: it’s science! Never lose your sense of humor; it’s important!

That’s all I’ve got for now. Don’t forget to subscribe; I send out an email whenever a new post goes live. Take care of yourself; it’s rough out there.

Smile 🙂