It feels like there’s a constant influx of bad things happening around us – and while it’s all very real and serious (and has been happening since forever), I kind of feel like social media has made it all so much more tangible. Negativity is constantly penetrating our minds and I’m sure many of you, like me, feel like it’s your responsibility to be aware of what’s going on in the world. And while that is true, I also want to encourage you to step away and protect yourself when you can and need to.

Quick side note: Hey readers, it’s been awhile. I’ve not been writing lately, so much so that I was even contemplating putting my blog site down. But this morning something urged me to write, so that’s what I’m doing. ❤

I am a highly sensitive person. I have a big heart, and I also suffer with intrusive thoughts and have a very vivid imagination – so when I see pictures and videos, or read about horrible things going on in the world, they mess with me. Big time. This is why I can’t watch thrillers or horror movies; and it feels like the world around us and everything on in the news is exactly that.

Last January, when there were those terrible earthquakes in Turkey, I was affected so badly that I couldn’t sleep, was having nightmares and panic attacks and slowly going mad. I had decided to take a week off social media and change the way I use it. Certain habits that I instilled then, I have proudly maintained – such as not using my phone for the first hour of the morning. Others, I’ve sadly slipped into – like following a lot of news portals.

News portals are useful for keeping up to date with the goings on in the world (they’re also often filled with garbage that give absolutely no value to our lives) – but the information pours out at a ridiculous pace and can sometimes be too much to handle. I slowly found myself falling back into the trap and – as the algorithm is designed, the more I saw, the more was shown to me. And now my newsfeed is bombarded with everything from gossip, banter, memes, war, death, accidents, politics, crime… I’ve quite honestly had enough.

The truth is this: humans are not designed to have access to so much information.

So if you are feeling like it’s starting to get the better of you, then I invite you to join me and take a step away.

Amidst the sadness, anxiety, and many problems going on around us – how can we possibly carry on with our lives? Simply put, we must. Our lives have to go on, we have to protect and take care of ourselves, maintain our health and sanity to do everything we need to do. And while you can, live. It would be a hell of a waste to spend your life without living it. You’re not doing anyone justice that way. In fact, in some messed up way, we owe it to those who don’t have the opportunity to live their lives.

So here’s what I’m doing:

  • Restricting/Muting/Unfollowing social accounts that don’t serve me anything positive
  • Journalling my thoughts (hello)
  • Opening up to loved ones (I also need to book a therapy session pronto)
  • Spending time in nature, observing the intricacy and beauty of it all
  • Listening to music that lifts me up
  • Being present with my son and sharing beautiful moments with him
  • Maintaining my relationships in the best way that I can
  • Investing my time and energy into what fulfills me
  • Reminding myself that I don’t always have to be happy and thriving
  • Crying when I need to
  • Eating well, staying hydrated, and moving my body
  • Having FUN and doing things that make my heart happy
  • Staying focused on what I can control

It’s the simple things that can make the biggest difference at times.

You might feel like you need to be proactive to help those suffering or to make a change in the world. Go for it. Raise awareness. Donate clothes, food, money to those in need. Pray. But also, for the love of God and all that is still good in the world, protect yourself.

You deserve it. ❤️

Until next time,

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