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In all honesty, I’m not a very empathetic person and have minimal amounts of it, and seemingly only for women, but I have been overwhelmed today reading about our sisters dying for demanding basic human rights. I am just so sad and heartbroken having read about personal insights from women living under these misogynistic, inhumane regimes that we can’t criticise lest we be called islamaphobic etc. Hearing in detail what is happening to these little girls and young women is so devastating, especially knowing there is very little we can do other than attend protests in our cities. Even here in the western world we are dealing w the biggest backlash against feminism in the last 40 or so years. Our modern day Phyllis Schlaflys are out in full force, ready to grovel at the feet of men to undo the work our foremothers fought so, so hard for. Tate is everywhere encouraging young boys and men to use domestic violence tactics against us and women can’t seem to stick together to cause any change.
When all of it collides, I just feel very helpless. I’m grateful for FDS as I will be staying off social media for a little while for my mental health. I’m really enjoying the happy progress of women on here levelling up, not taking shit from men and standing together.
I understand how you feel! A social media break has really improved my disposition. It’s crazy how this constant barrage of bad news really weighs on the psyche. Took a break from social. Not only do I feel better mentally, I also have more time/energy for this forum, which I otherwise would have wasted on twitter screaming into the void. ❤️❤️
I feel so much existential angst about the state of the world particularly for women. The more I truly understand the patriarchy the angrier I get. Sometimes I try picture my home as a bubble with me and my dogs in it. I can control what happens inside the bubble but I can’t control what happens everywhere else. I donate and volunteer and do what I can but that’s all I can do.
I agree with @eyeswideopen. Taking a break from social media is key to refocusing yourself. The media caters to bad news and we as humans literally cannot process all of the world’s horrible news. We need happy news, too, and going outside to smell the roses and reconnect with the good in life is critical to keeping your mental and emotional health in check. When things become overwhelming, no matter if it’s work, school, news, life, anything, the best way to handle it is to distance yourself from it so you can recenter yourself. Take a vacation, read a book, don’t turn on the news, get out of the house for a little while. I’m not saying never go back to these things again, but even just taking a break for a day or a long weekend can be enough to process things and move on. Rest is essential and reading traumatic news takes a toll on us even from the comfort of our homes. So just rest. Take a break, go outside, and once you feel better then come back to it and see what you can do to help. Hope this helps, chica. Don’t feel defeated! It’s a tragedy what’s going on over there, but the tide is turning and it won’t always be like this. Things will get better.
You have no obligation to stay on top of the news if you compromise your mental health for it. I have weeks where I don’t check the news because everything seems so bad all the time. Reconnect with friends, enjoy nature or take yourself out to a coffee date and refocus on better things. You’re just a single person and cannot safe the world alone ❤️ It is okay to step back every now and again
This thread has been so encouraging. Thanks for all the tips to rest :)