In this modern world where we have access to 24 hour news across a variety of different platforms, it can be hard to switch off from everything that is going on, both at home and abroad. And this continuous stream of news, which is often tragic, scary and sad, can cause us to feel helpless and ashamed that we aren’t “doing enough” to help those more in need than us. It can be hard to even know where to start in helping to bring about change, I know I have often felt like this when I switch on the news and see yet more heartache.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
This is a well-known saying that I like to remind myself of whenever I question whether I am doing “enough”. And I always come back to one important point, and that is, if we are actively working on healing ourselves and our own internal trauma, then we are already doing something to make the world a better place. A healed person interacts with the world from a more peaceful place, they are less likely to hurt those around them out of spite, anger or frustration and they are more able to communicate with others in a respectful manner. This may not seem like a lot when we see images of war, poverty and destruction but try to think of it this way, a healed and peaceful person is making their corner of the world better for those they share it with. The more people that heal themselves, the more peace will spread and if nothing else, working on our own healing is a great place to start to ensure that we are acting congruently and in alignment with our values.
As part of your inner healing, it’s worth exploring what world events trigger an internal reaction for you. If we are carrying our own unconscious patterns that are triggered every time we turn on the news, we are more likely to become bogged down and overwhelmed by the troubles in the world. This can create a cycle of constantly feeling ashamed for our lack of efforts every time we hear the news or of feeling overwhelmed whenever we try (or even think about trying), leading to shutting off. So, if you take nothing else away from this blog, please keep in mind that if you are working on your own healing then you are also helping to heal the world.
What else can we do to make the world a better place?
Firstly, it’s important to avoid comparison. Some people find activism easier than others but that doesn’t mean that those who aren’t attending protests are less able to help. It’s always useful to bear in mind that there isn’t one single way to make change and there are many small steps that we can take that can be just as effective as the more obvious ones. Here are some things you might want to consider:
Choose your cause – If you try to fight for every cause or donate to every charity you will quickly burn out, both emotionally and financially. Pick a cause or two that are close to your heart and focus on supporting them. This can be through donations, volunteering or helping to spread the word about the work they do and raising awareness.
Vote and engage with your local MP – When election time comes around vote for the candidate that is most in line with your values and if you feel there is more they can be doing to make things better for the people in your area or further afield, write to them and suggest it to them.
Speak out – If you have enough knowledge about a cause and feel able to use your voice, you might want to consider public speaking to spread information that you feel will help others. Alternatively, you may find it easier to share relevant posts on social media or even just engage your family and friends in conversations that may help to raise awareness or prevent misinformation (which is as bad as no information at all) from spreading.
Educate yourself – No one can be expected to fully understand everything that is going on in the world and it’s vital that we remember that some things will trigger different emotions in other people to the emotions that we experience ourselves. This may lead to differing perspectives that can then cause conflicts of opinion. Where possible, educate yourself on the subject so that if you are speaking to others about certain causes, you are speaking from a place of knowledge rather than simply emotion.
You can’t be ON all the time – remember to give yourself a break from bad news.
While it’s important to be aware of what is going on in the world it’s also vital to remember that the TV, social media and newspapers rarely give a balanced view of what is happening across the world. These platforms thrive on dramatic headlines and graphic images because these are more attention grabbing. Remember there is plenty of good happening all over the world and I would encourage you to seek that out whenever you can.
Be mindful of how often you are absorbing bad news. If you find yourself constantly “doom scrolling” or leaving the 24 hour news channel on all day, take some time away from the media by switching the TV off and putting your phone away. Allow yourself to escape in nature, read a book that makes you laugh or spend times with friends in a way that fills your cup with positive experiences. Remember, you can feel sad and concerned enough about the world that you want to act and remain informed, while still allowing yourself to feel grateful for all the good in your own life and, by doing this, can you feel rested enough to help your chosen cause.
If you do find yourself feeling shame when you are having fun it is worth exploring this in your healing work, either with a counsellor or coach. These kinds of feelings can be caused by messages we were given as children that imply “how can you have fun when other people are suffering so much.”
And remember, as I wrote earlier in the blog, if you are working on your own healing then you are also helping to heal the world.
If any of this has resonated with you and you would like to explore it further, I would love to hear from you. Email me at rosie@rosiewithey.co.uk and we can arrange a discovery call so you can share your thoughts and I can share how my work might help you.