Stay Afloat.

I am angry. I am scared. I am frustrated. I am upset. These are real and valid emotions. I wish I had a way to make them go away. I wish I had a way to fix everything. But I don't. I don't have a solution to the world's problems. This isn't about about a solution. It is about survival. 

It feels like you can't turn on the TV or scroll through a newsfeed without seeing something shocking, devastating, or crazy. I have struggled finding the balance between wanting to be aware of what is going on in the world and keeping my own mental well-being in tact. There is this pressure to be a social justice warrior, to take on the ugliness that is permeating through our society, to simply be in the loop. With all of the negativity pushing in from all directions, I am sometimes caught off guard by intense feelings of hopelessness. As someone who struggles with depression on a daily basis, these feelings can trigger really scary thoughts. 

What to do? How do you do it all- stay aware, keep fighting, and retain your sanity?  

When the world feels like it is crashing down around you, it is okay to take a break from everything and focus on yourself. It doesn't make you less 'woke', it doesn't mean you don't care. Quite the contrary- it means that you are taking the necessary steps so that you can be the best version of yourself. There is no shame, no guilt in taking care of yourself. 

So take the break that you need to process these emotions. Turn off the notifications on your phone, step away from social media, and dedicate time doing what brings you peace. Take care of yourself because we need you. Give yourself the space, the grace to stay afloat.