Self-Care in a Mad World: How I Keep My Balance

Lately, I've been feeling mentally, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. Between the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the suffering I see here in St. Louis, I'm struggling to maintain my mental health. Every day, confusing and vicious legislation is passed, and mass shootings and police violence are rampant. I find myself frustrated by the disillusioned apathy or blissful denial I see in others, sometimes envying their obliviousness. I'm sure I'm not alone in these challenging emotions and fears, so I write this to be vulnerable and connect with others on a tender note.

Seeing all the pain and suffering around me takes a huge emotional toll. As a sensitive and loving person, I find myself oscillating between compassion and anger. I often feel frustrated, scared, and hopeless, and I can sense these feelings in others too. To protect myself, I sometimes need to shut off the news because it becomes overwhelming.

Every day is a struggle to run my business effectively while maintaining hope and sincerity for my clients. I'm trying techniques like meditation, avoiding overstimulation, sticking to my daily schedule, and continuing my education to keep my business thriving. But I also need to set boundaries with myself to avoid burning out. It's easy to have an overproductive mind in our overstimulated society. Turning everything off and allowing space for silence, reflection, and sitting with uncomfortable feelings is crucial for emotional equilibrium. Therapy has been helpful, and the validation I receive for my efforts to find balance makes me feel seen and celebrated.

I've also realized the importance of adjusting my expectations of myself and others. Some days, I need to rest and put everything down. I must also make space for others to rest and cope in ways that may not resonate with me. Having grace for others allows me to have more internal grace for myself. Everyone has different resources and varying abilities to integrate them, and I must let go of the need to control my external circumstances and others. We're all doing the best we can.

Lastly, community is vital. Strengthening my bonds with others helps me feel less alone. Volunteering helps me feel like I'm making a difference. I'm looking into working with Street Patrol Outreach to provide supplies for the homeless to make rough St. Louis evenings more bearable. I encourage all of us to get involved in our communities and offer help. Bring families and friends together, share meals, resources, labor, and kind words. We all need it right now.

Finding balance in this chaotic world is a continuous journey. It's about acknowledging our feelings, setting boundaries, adjusting expectations, and nurturing our communities. While it's challenging, it's also essential for our well-being. By taking care of ourselves and supporting each other, we can navigate these tough times with a bit more ease and compassion. Let's all strive to be the change we want to see, starting with ourselves and our immediate circles.