You are not alone: What to do when you might be Feeling hopeless about life and the world
Hello dear human,
I don’t know what you’ve seen, experienced, or are going through right now. Even so, from the depths of my heart, I’m wishing you strength, warmth, support, community, wisdom, curiosity, and whatever else you may need in these moments and beyond.
I wanted to share some words I wrote a while ago and have edited them to be a bit more relevant to today’s context. Please see this as an offering—a way to find hope. Take what is needed and leave what is not.☺️
“Feeling Hopeless?”
Many of us are feeling the weight of what’s happening around the world—wars, genocides, climate change, social injustices, rising costs of living, feelings of loneliness, and worries about the future. Add personal struggles to this mix, and it can feel like too much to bear, leaving us overwhelmed, anxious, angry, or even hopeless.
It makes sense to wonder: What’s the point?
I think here is where the role of self-awareness can be supportive and guide us in these times when dealing with hopelessness and bearing witness to global suffering. Essentially, self-awareness can help us find a way forward.
By self-awareness, I don’t mean centering ourselves or diminishing the immense diversity and lived experiences within our communities. Rather, I want to honor those voices while encouraging each of us to explore our unique roles in creating positive change and a better world for all beings.
While none of us can solve everything alone, each of us can play a part. Through self-awareness, we can ask important questions like:
What truly matters to me?
What do I care about?
What can I give or offer?
How can I contribute to positive change?
What small step can I take, even today?
These questions may take time, experience, and reflection to answer and they can help uncover a path forward that feels aligned with our values.
Discovering your role
This might mean planting seeds that we may not see bloom in our lifetime. These questions are inspired by Deepa Iyer’s work, where she outlines various roles that can contribute to transforming the world.
Using her language:
Are you a caregiver?
Are you a disrupter?
Are you a storyteller?
Are you a first responder?
Answering these questions takes self-awareness. But asking yourself, "How can I be of service?" or "What gifts, talents, and strengths do I possess—whether inherited or cultivated—that can help contribute to making this world a better place for all beings?" can guide you toward discovering meaningful ways to contribute!
Even something as simple as hosting a shared meal can create connection and provide much-needed mental health support for others, especially during times when many may feel isolated or alone in their daily lives.
In essence, by getting curious about what inspires or moves us (those are insights!) and practicing humility, compassion, and creativity, we can discover innovative and imaginative ways to address suffering—both within ourselves and in our communities, near and far. Each of us is on a unique stage of our learning journey, and I believe we all bring valuable perspectives and experiences to these challenges.
By planting these seeds today, we can build a forest of hope for generations to come.
Invitations: ideas for reflection
Often we might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do or where to even begin in the face of unimaginable, overwhelming personal, local, national, and global suffering. If any of these ideas resonate, consider exploring them further. I hope this is helpful and my invitation to you is to please do whatever you can. Again, I’m wishing you strength, wisdom, warmth, connection, and whatever you may need in these moments and beyond.:
“Come from curiosity and care.”
Consider watching Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication. (I’m still learning and struggling with this too—may we learn and struggle together. ☺️)
Explore Deepa Iyer’s Work.
Her newsletter and book, Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection are rich sources of ideas and can offer practical guidance on identifying your role in creating positive change.
Support Storytelling for Change.
Consider donating to documentary films or other storytelling projects such as Three Black Men: A Journey into the Magical Otherwise and Birdsong. “Stories have the power to create social change and create community.” (Terry Tempest Williams)
Attend an event.
Seek out local or virtual events focused on restoration, healing, education, or play.
Stay Connected!
Sign up for my newsletter to access more resources and support for navigating these times and beyond.
Again, let us plant the seeds so our future generations can have a forest hope.
Take care, dear human, and I will try to do the same. 🤗
Warmly,
Sandy
