Don't Get Mad, Get Ethical: How To Channel All That Despair You're Feeling Right Now
In recent times, activists across the globe have been feeling like the world is crumbling around them. The constant of the climate crisis is an ever-present threat, but recent blows such as right-wing ideologies advancing can feel like going backwards at breakneck speed. Following the US election results, people all over the US – but also around the world – are feeling anxious and worried. As US policies, such as further restrictions to abortion laws, can impact people in other nations too, it's no wonder that anxieties are rising.
By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert.
Being fearful is entirely expected and a natural reaction to traumatic world events. "These are difficult and intense moments for many people. Anxiety is not an unreasonable response, and you should not feel diminished for being worried," Lee Knifton, a director of the Mental Health Foundation, told the Guardian.
What can help ease the worries is remembering that kindness still exists in the world – and we are not alone, nor are we powerless to contribute.
"You are mistaken if you think what has happened changes anything. This is not to argue that elections don’t matter. They absolutely do – but nothing changes what is asked of you. It doesn’t matter if a tyrant or a philosopher king comes to power – you are still expected to be good. Whatever anyone does or says, for my part I’m bound to the good,” Marcus Aurelius writes in his Meditations.
Choosing to do good can go a long way towards helping us feel empowered. Doing our bit for a better planet, even when it feels like the world is heading in the other direction, can remind us that there is still hope - and that we, alongside other similarly minded people, can be catalysts for that hope.
Get active.
This is perhaps the most impactful choice when it comes to dealing with a crumbling world. Channelling feelings of anger and despair into action can fight hopelessness and apathy, infuse a feeling of invigoration, and connect you with like-minded people. Volunteering is another great way to get involved – a 2023 study by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations found 75% of respondents said that volunteering was positive for their mental health. Find a local protest group, environmental or political collective, vegan meet-up, or other cause that fires you up, or contact your favourite charity and ask how you can volunteer.
Educate yourself.
Knowledge is power, and it's easier to advocate for a better world when you're armed with facts about your cause (as any vegan will attest). Read up on the areas of social justice you're passionate about and listen to knowledgeable people speak about how goals can be reached. Don't get all your information from social media - read esteemed news sources and validated info from campaign groups that are dedicated to working on these issues. Keep learning.
Protect your energy.
While you're doing all that learning, don't forget to take a break. Don't get stuck in a circle of constantly checking political news and reading doomsday predictions of coming policies that might undermine women's rights and threaten the climate. Of course, staying informed is key – but balance that with a healthy dose of relaxation and light relief. Anti-carnist psychologist Dr Melanie Joy recommends not overdoing exposure to triggering content to avoid "feeding the trauma" and weakening our mental health. So put on your cosy pyjamas, put on that movie you've seen a hundred times that never fails to make you laugh, and give yourself a well-deserved break from politics and world news.
Make ethical choices.
The choices you make every day – the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the products you buy – can help make you feel empowered by knowing that every time you spend your money, you're casting a vote for the world you want to live in. Sure, choosing canvas tote bags over plastic carrier bags won't reverse the result of the election and picking tofu over beef won't end wars, but small, daily actions by many people really have the potential to become a great wave of change. Plus, the knowledge that among all the turmoil you're doing your best for a kinder world is truly powerful.
Keep taking care of yourself.
When the world is in chaos, self-care might slip to the back of your mind. Instead, it's crucial to keep up the habits that usually make you feel your best. A good diet, regular exercise, lots of water, taking your supplements: all those boring, unsexy things that really are the building blocks of good physical health are also helpful to mental well-being. Dr Joy often talks about the importance of regulating your nervous system for better mental health. In today's society, many people's nervous systems aren't well regulated, which can lead to chronic stress and anxiety, but also physical symptoms such as digestive issues and muscle pain. So don't miss out on self-care – it's crucial.
By Sascha Camilli
About Sascha
Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or read her newsletter Kind of Wild. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cover image by Chloe S. Second photo by Nathan Lemon, both via Unsplash.
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