Existential Dread Barbie
JoyThis resonated with me today. I'm going to do my best to make those around me and those I'm connected to (that's you!) a little bit happier, despite *gestures wildly in all directions*! We can do this! #optimism #yougotthis
Gabbi W.this was helpful, thank you. i've been really struggling lately (as many are) and a huge part of that struggle has been that sense of paralysis. it's hard to stay focused on your people when the pain is so wide-scale, but it's important.
@ListlessInLilac I feel you and we should not be afraid to feel that feeling. Shows you have a good heart and empathy for others. I'm trying to not let it get me down or touch my heart, and I'm throwing myself into my art. Hope you can find peace and happiness! It is its own rebellion because they want us scared and paralyzed.
Margaret Moonshadow
citrus@joyousjoyness this is good advice.
I've had to stop worrying about politics at a country level and started focusing on my community specially.
I can make a difference here - you can, in fact, fight city hall.
You can send emails to the city manager and various committees.
You can bring attention to things in your neighborhood that can be better.
You can build tiny libraries, tiny museums, and tiny food banks.
You can volunteer at animals shelters & pick up trash.
Just do what you can.
Jack Linke 🦄@joyousjoyness I heard something similar that resonated with me when I was younger.
In the military, we often talked in terms of "grid-squares" (a square on the map 100m/1000m on each side) to identify your location compared to other friendly/enemy units, terrain, etc.
A mentor of mine told me that when it comes to change, you individually can't affect the entire map. But you can affect your grid square. Make those nearby better, and they in-turn, do the same. And so, you affect the whole map.
Chris McCabe@joyousjoyness Starting a Disability & Benefits Support Group on FB has been a huge help - luck brought us some great admins, & we've been able to help a great number.
@joyousjoyness Thanks - I was enraged by hearing from a disability advocate how an Atos assessor had abused a client, so we try to get ppl not to go alone, & give advice to negotiate the system.
Thure@joyousjoyness Think global act local (even if local is just your friends).
econads@joyousjoyness the opposite of this is referenced in good omens, where a devil tries out mass temptation by tying up the telephone network at lunchtime in London on the basis that people will take out their anger on others, who will take that out on others in turn, spreading out a thin veneer off sin.
"You just can't do bespoke any more, there's too many people"
Stefan Bohacek@joyousjoyness This makes sense to me on an intuitive level.
Sometimes when I feel down, I check in on folks I haven't spoken with in a while, friends, former colleagues, just see how they're doing, share some uplifting thoughts.
Making others feel better really does help you feel better.
@jacquiharper@joyousjoyness This is the only thing that feels doable to me
@jacquiharper it is so important even if it seems small.
Dr Suzanne she/her@joyousjoyness what if the people around you are uninterested in treating others well?
@DrSuzanne that's so hard! I've had to fade out friendships and other relationships that were negative influences on my life. Been working hard on making connections with positive people!
Lauren@joyousjoyness @DrSuzanne This is the way! No need to put your energy into a blackhole. Also even if you don’t cut off friendships it’s highly unlikely that no one you know will make positive changes in other people’s lives. Even if it’s just one person that goes on to help one other person, that’s still a valuable positive change in the world☀️
@laurenheywood yesss 10000%