5 Tips for When Things Feel Heavy in the World
The world is vast and full of both beauty and tragedy. Every day we are bombarded with heartbreaking news stories one after another. It can feel impossible to keep your head above water in an endless sea of grief and pain.
Havenly Counseling Collective knows these feelings all too well and they are here to help. Our team has provided tips on what to do when things feel heavy in the world.
1. Heal Yourself to Help Heal Others
Joanne (OliveMe Counseling) says,
There's too much crap happening in the world that can feel overwhelming and disheartening. To buffer for those times and not get thrown off-track, I focus on my life mission to bring life into the world in ways that only I can. I can't do much about a lot of the pain in the world, but I can do something about what's going on with the people I do have connections with (who in turn have their own connections and so on).
When we don't take care of ourselves, we contribute to pain. When we do, we heal ourselves and are then freed up to heal others far greater than we could have out of our own egos. In light of tragic world events, I may not respond or engage in the way others might want me to, but I must stay focused on my calling because this is the fastest way I can bring the maximum healing impact in the world.
2. Reclaim Your Power
Morgan (Morgan Hancock Therapy) says,
When things are heavy in the world, and we hear stories on the news, sometimes we can feel overwhelmed because they remind us of ways in which we've felt those feelings too before: powerlessness, hurt, anger, fear. It is a way that we are challenged to reclaim our power, voice, and control over our past stories again. I encourage you to lean into the challenge.
3. Talk to Someone
Lorren (Lorren Siu Counseling) says,
When I am feeling weighed down by all of the world's suffering and injustice, at times it can be hard to see anything else. The best thing that I have found for those moments is talking about how I am feeling with someone who will not brush me off, try to fix how I am feeling, or try to minimize what is going on. Telling someone who can listen with a caring ear helps me remember that I am not alone when I am feeling overwhelmed by all that is going on around the world. The simple act of acknowledging the heaviness of the world with someone else allows them to help carry the burden of the heaviness I am feeling. When we can share each other's loads in this way we grow closer and stronger, and we are reminded that there is love in the world.
4. Give It Time and Space
Josephine (Josephine Suh LCSW) says,
When I feel overwhelmed by pain and suffering in the world, I pause for it. I give it the time and space it needs to be slowly, fully digested. I look to poets and spiritual guides to give language for the deep grief and suffering we feel. @blackliturgies has been a great resource for this.
When I feel powerless or immobilized by the shame of not doing anything or "fixing" the problem, I remember the Social Change Map by Deepa Iyer. It clarifies my path forward, the unique and specific ways I can use my gifts to contribute to change.
5. Remember Goodness
Kristen (KristenHannahMFT) says,
I think it’s important to remember everything has its counterpart. For every atrocity, trauma, pain point, or injustice there is also somewhere in the world where there is justice, incredible generosity, random acts of kindness, and healing happening. It doesn’t change what is, but where our focus goes our energy flows. I find that being in touch with the goodness of the world gives me energy to meet the difficulties and pain with what I need in that moment.
Need help with stress?
Learn more about all our therapists, or reach out directly below and get the care you need! Here are what each therapist specializes in:
Melinda Olsen (Inviterra Counseling)
Helping Millenials + Gen-Z’s learn to love themselves deeply using the Enneagram & Brainspotting
Joanne Kim (OliveMe Counseling)
Helping BIG Feelers create relationships where they matter, too using the Enneagram + Brainspotting
Lorren Siu
Helping Highly Sensitive Persons heal from attachment trauma and anxiety (Brainspotting)
Morgan Hancock
Helping High-achieving and People Pleasing Women & Athletes who are struggling with overwhelming anxiety, relationships, identity, and spiritual issues.
Bobbi Kyle Gutierrez (Elder Emo Therapy)
Helping young adults, couples, and teens make wiser decisions that actually move them closer to where they want to be, rather than being sucked into emotionally messy situations.
Josephine Suh
I specialize in the mental health issues you feel deep in your bones: grief, trauma, panic, depression, existential crises, loneliness and sudden explosions of emotion. I also have experience treating conditions where you don't feel much at all: dissociation, depersonalization, derealization, and emotional numbing.
I know all too well how much burnout plagues therapists and I want to help you protect yourself from it while also learning how to manage your money, so you can work smarter not harder.