The world isn’t going back to the way it was, probably not ever.
We are all grieving.
Recognize where you are in processing your grief. The stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. If you find yourself just repeating the headlines to people who’ve already heard them, you’re still processing your grief. Find a way to move beyond that, to accept the new world and find ways to live a good life in it.
Take care of yourself.
Like an airplane emergency, put the oxygen mask on yourself before you try to help others. Breathe. Find your center. Do things that make you happy and bring you joy. Ask for help and support if you need it.
Don’t get mired in the mud.
The downward spiral of “doom scrolling” doesn’t move you forward. You can stay informed without wallowing in events over which you have no control. Look for productive ways to channel your energy.
You can’t save everyone.
Recognize that you and your friends might not always agree. Conflict often increases resistance. Providing an alternative viewpoint during a friendly conversation might help your friends understand your grief (but walk away from conflict and drama).
Use your resources wisely.
We all have limited resources: time, money, and mental and emotional space. It’s not up to you to solve every problem. Find the issues and causes that matter most to you and do what you can to give those a boost. That might be donating money, volunteering time, participating in demonstrations and boycotts, or writing letters and making phone calls to your elected representatives.
Compiled by the Shining Lotus staff