What to Do When the World feels Overwhelming

By Olivia Roland

For the last few years, it seems like every time I open Instagram or turn on the TV, there are even
more bad things happening around the world. I simply want to scroll or watch a show to escape
for a while, and instead I’m faced with natural disasters, war, sickness, and tyranny. And even
though the news is distressing, I find myself not able to look away. And when I do finally put my
phone down or turn off the TV, the plight of humanity remains so heavy on my mind. At times,
this knowledge feels almost unbearable.

What do I gain from knowing about these events? How do I handle the emotions that come with them? I feel burdened to help but I don’t know how, because of the burdens in my own life that weigh me down. It feels wrong to watch from behind a screen and not do anything, but at the same time...what do I do? What CAN I even do? How can I help when it is all so overwhelming?
I don’t think there is a direct, all-encompassing answer to this; but I do have a few things that help me when I’m feeling overwhelmed about the state of the world.

I think it’s crucial to remember that  humans were never meant to take in this much
information . With the world in the palm of our hands, we have access to everything that is going
on - anywhere, anytime. That is just too much for our brains to process. It’s been really helpful
for me to have other distractions nearby when I feel myself starting to doom scroll - a light, easy
book, coloring books and my favorite colored pencils, video games, or getting up to take a walk
in the sunshine. It’s so easy to focus on the bad, and sometimes putting the phone down and
focusing on something else entirely can help to recenter us and calm the panic.

It’s also been really important to consistently remind myself that I can only do so much as just
one human. These global catastrophes are gigantic and while I have the best intentions, it is just
not possible to be involved and help with everything I see online. What I can do is focus on my
life, my work, and my community. I can do good in my own circles. That work is so important
too, and I’m not doing myself any favors by discounting that fact. Sometimes, just being there as
a support for those in your own circles can be lifesaving. And I genuinely believe that kindness
will spread. Now more than ever the world needs community, and that starts at home, with us.

To that point, if you feel led to be more actively involved, start educating yourself on local
politics. Reach out to local grassroots organizations for causes that you care about. Real change
starts small and radiates outward. This is how we will begin to see change on a much larger
scale.

The world is really scary right now, and I know all too well how daunting it can be. Just
remember that even in the darkest days, there is still hope flickering in a dark corner. And if
enough of us bring those tiny points of hope together, the flickering will spread into a blaze that
illuminates the room. There is still so much good in humanity, and it starts with you and me.