Let's face it: there is a LOT of shit going on in the world these days. It's global, regional, local and in your face. At least it is that way for me. Every day I log on to find some asinine thing done by some politician, or another instance of racism, misogyny or hatred, or another weather related disaster of epic proportions. Then my phone begins to chime with text messages and phone calls: another client having a crisis, a friend diagnosed with a life threatening illness, another with a drug addicted child. How much more can we take?
Unfortunately, no one knows the answer to that. I certainly don't. But I do have some helpful hints to handle it all.
Here are some symptoms which may indicate crisis fatigue: lack of energy, sadness, anxiety, lack of motivation, anger...lots of it, or a feeling that you just want to hide under the covers until it all goes away.
Hiding under the covers may help for a little while, but it doesn't really work for a long term solution, and it doesn't look like the politicians are going to grow up anytime soon. The weather related disasters just seem to keep on coming. I don't know that racism and misogyny will ever go away.
What are we to do?
Here are some things that might help:
- Acknowledge the feelings. Denying them isn't going to help. Stuffing them doesn't help. You can acknowledge them without acting on them.
- Talk about it with someone who won't try and fix you but will just listen with compassion. You don't need fixing, but talking helps. We are only as sick as our secrets, so don't keep this shit secret.
- Be of service. Donate or volunteer.
- Stay in the present moment. Don't project into the future and don't fret about the past.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat right, rest plenty, and let yourself cry if that is what wants to happen.
- Enjoy the simple things in life, and be grateful for them. Hug your loved ones, pet your critters, or a neighbor's critters. Bake cookies.
And finally, remember that we are all in this together. You are not alone.