When the World Becomes Too Much
Sustaining Hope and Action in a Challenging World
Lately, it feels like the world is burning. Not just metaphorically - the world is quite literally on fire.
You turn on the TV and see horrifying news. You open social media and are bombarded with devastating stories. Tragedy seems to be everywhere, making it nearly impossible to look away. And when you do take a moment for yourself - even just a minute or two - you wonder: am I being selfish for not thinking about everything happening in the world?
I catch myself in moments of joy, only to have regret creep in immediately after.
How can I continue living as if nothing is happening while everything seems to be unraveling at once? How can I be so selfish and egocentric, not screaming from the rooftops about the injustices happening left and right?
Here’s the thing: each of us can make an impact. Some have more power and resources to do so, but if everyone fights for the right cause, change can happen.1
At the same time, it can feel overwhelming to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Even the most passionate activists need moments of rest. If you don’t take care of yourself, you’ll eventually burn out and be unable to care for anyone or anything else.
It’s hard, but setting boundaries - even with news, politics, or environmental concerns - is an essential act of self-care. Managing your energy and mental health is crucial to continuing the fight. If you don’t take a break from the horrors of the world, burnout is inevitable, and with it, the loss of hope. And without hope, life can feel unbearable.
Taking time for yourself is not selfish. It’s life support.
It’s okay to step back and not think about everything all the time. We’re all trying our best, and if your best includes taking breaks from fighting 24/7 for what you believe in, you deserve to do so.
I know guilt is hard to ignore. But try to put it into perspective: you only have so much to give. This is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be phases where you need to slow down in order to move forward later. Ration your energy and power for the long term to avoid breaking down completely.
Here are some ways to step back and recharge:
Be mindful of your (social) media consumption: Follow only the most essential news outlets to stay informed. Cut out the noise. If certain accounts or sources drain your energy, unfollow them. You can return when you’re ready, but you need space to breathe.
Spend time doing things you love: We often neglect our passions, but these moments can be a powerful source of energy, inspiration, and hope. Schedule time for your favorite activities and view them as more than hobbies. They’re vital to a fulfilling life.
Allow sadness and disappointment: Give yourself permission to feel. Be sad. Be disappointed. Be angry. Acknowledge the weight of what’s happening without brushing it aside. These emotions are valid. Accepting that hope is sometimes hard to hold onto is part of moving forward. Be kind to yourself and validate your own feelings.
Seek connection: No matter what’s going on, you’re never truly alone. Community is key. Connection is key. Share the burden. Share your life. When you reach out and lean on others, you’re reminded of your shared humanity and the strength of forming a collective.
Accept the unacceptable: Not everything can be fixed, and certainly not overnight. The enormity of the world’s problems is staggering, and accepting that some things are beyond your control right now is both painful and necessary. This doesn’t mean giving up on making a positive impact, but rather recognizing that progress is often slow and incremental.
Someone once told me: “Yes, the world is going to shit, but what I can do is try to have the most positive impact on the world I live in. To make the most out of it.” Your world might be your family, your community, or your country… and that’s okay.
I’ve had my own moments of sitting down, unsure of what to do or how to hold onto hope for a better future. Then, there are moments when I see beauty around me: in my home, my city, my people. Both feelings coexist. And perhaps they have to coexist, because the world isn’t promising right now. Yet there’s still beauty in life: the scent of summer rain, blooming flowers, the warmth of the sun on your skin, freshly baked bread...
I continue to believe.
I continue to hope.
I keep trying.
How about you?
Thank you for reading. ♡
Don’t give up. Take your time. Keep fighting. Keep resting.
Write to you soon.
We won’t delve into what’s “right” or “wrong” today; that’s not just a topic for another time, but a whole discussion in itself.
Beautiful and important piece. Rest is pivotal to production. We are not machines, and though we might wish we were when fighting the good fight, we just can’t go 24/7. Always nice to see this reminder because I have that go go go tendency, which does, in fact, as you say, lead to burnout.
I feel this so much, Martina. The weight of it all, the fear of looking away—it’s exhausting. But carrying the world alone doesn’t help anyone. We need to rest. Not as an escape, but as fuel to keep going. I have to believe that grief and beauty can coexist, that we can fight for change and find joy. Both can be true. Both have to be true. Because if we lose sight of what’s worth fighting for—the love, the connection, the simple joys—what are we even fighting for? 💛