23 April 2025

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Scary Times

Even if you aren’t an “always online” person, it’s hard not to notice how difficult the world around us has become in such a short period of time. It’s not like it didn’t have its already-serious fires that needed putting out, but now things have begun to slide in other ways — politically, economically, socially.

It’s hard to keep our heads up when it feels as if the sky is going to fall. Whether acutely or accumulatively, we can find ourselves “wearing” the anxiety, the lack of confidence, the not-knowing.

In times like this — and I gotta say, I hate the fact that the precedent is only recent — I think of the lockdowns during the first two years of COVID hitting North America, and what made things worthwhile for us:

  • friendships
  • movement
  • self-compassion
  • looking forward

Friendships are imperfect; depending upon the circumstances we may not always be so lucky as to have friends who will genuinely give us space when we need it, and yet it’s important to remind ourselves that we aren’t alone, and that we are living in a shared world. If we aren’t exactly drowning in friendships, then meet-up groups are another good alternative.

We are embodied organisms. We are capable of incredible ways of movement (ask a dancer, martial artist or gymnast). Just as the acting of writing is also one of exploring ideas while doing so, so to is the act of movement. If we’re feeling trapped, going for a stroll can help remind us not only of the world around us that we share, but also that we are not, as I like to put it, just brains in jars — which how we can especially feel when we are “very online.”

The economy at the whim of a larger storm, which means that those of us who are currently looking for work may be finding it harder. This can chip away at our sense of self-worth, facing the silence of recruiters, the lack of a response in our inbox. It’s important to remind ourselves of the wider storm happening around us that — fairly or not — is making all of our efforts to live normal lives that much harder. Find grace with yourself. Even people who habitually stick to strict timelines can benefit from switching gears.

Being able to look forward allows to avoid getting stuck in the mud of the present. Perhaps there’s a language course being taught via Continuing Ed that you can sign up for? Perhaps the local art gallery is having a debut next week? Maybe driving out of town with friends is something to plan? I’m not suggesting filling our calendars, because that’s another kind of stress, but looking forward to things is important when we’re struggling with the present.

Those are just a few thoughts.