It's perfectly normal to feel anxious at the state of the world. Each day we're consuming news on our phones, on the radio, on the TV that for the most is negative. When we see news stories like this, it can be hard to stay positive.
This can lead to thoughts like...
"I'm not doing enough"
"The future is so worrying"
"What's the point in trying anymore"
But it's OKAY to feel these thoughts. Some days you are going to feel the weight of the world on you, and that's normal. Being anxious about the state of the planet is a good thing - it means you care!
The reality is, a lot of the news about the environment is negative, leaving us feeling disheartened and hopeless. Part of being an eco activist is staying up to date with what is going on around the world so that we can call attention to different issues. But this makes it difficult to balance being current and protecting our mental health, so knowing how to manage these emotions to stay motivated is really important.
How to navigate eco anxiety
Sit with your feelings. Validate them. You are not alone in feeling this way.
Practice gratitude. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can improve your mental health.
Spend time in nature. Not only is this calming for us, it can also help to build our empathy for the environment.
Align your actions with your values. Trying to live sustainably can help us to feel more hopeful!
Be kind to yourself. Eco-anxiety is troubling. Please take care of yourself!
Read that last point again. Always be kind and patient to yourself, the planet and others. Ignoring your emotions won't make them go away. Instead try to accept what you're feeling and instead look for outlets.
Make sure you reach out to friends or family if you're struggling, and find a community that helps inspire you when you're feeling low.
Thank you to @enverything for writing this blog with me - check out her Instagram page for more info about different eco topics!
Note: @consciouslyelle on Instagram does a great weekly roundup of positive news stories
Hi, thank you for reading the All Things Green blog! 💚
We share simple eco friendly tips to help you lead an imperfect sustainable lifestyle.
We believe that "small steps are still steps" and that we can all have a positive impact on the planet - no matter how small.
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- Naomi x