Connect to Inspire: Make a Difference in a World That Feels Like It's Falling Apart
Do you ever feel like you're drowning in the news? Like there's just too much bad stuff happening in the world, and you don't know how to make a difference? 😥
In this post, I’ll share what you can do to start feeling better. You’ll learn how to find meaningful connections and begin to inspire positive change. 🤝
Each of us can make a difference. Together we make change
- Barbara Mikulski
You turn on the news and you're immediately bombarded with bad news. War, rights being stripped away, natural disasters, hate crimes, etc. It's enough to make you feel like everything is going to hell.
🏠 You've started to stay at home more to avoid the a-holes out in the world.
😞 You're feeling tense, anxious, or depressed.
🤔 You wish you could change things somehow, but you’re not sure where to start or if anything you could do would even matter.
🫥 You wish you could just ignore all the bad stuff, but you also know that ignoring it would make you part of the problem.
💖 It's totally normal to feel this way! It's a lot to take in, and it's not always easy to know what to do with all those feelings. But here's the thing: you're not alone. Lots of people feel the same way.
Imagine what could happen if you were empowered and supported to take action when feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world!
Here’s a story to illustrate what you might experience:
One day, scrolling through social media you see a post about a local community garden. 🌱The post said that they're looking for volunteers, and you immediately feel a spark of interest. You've always loved gardening and think it would be a great way to connect with other people and make a difference in your community.
You go check it out. The people there are so welcoming and friendly, and you immediately feel like you belong. 💑You start volunteering a few days a week and quickly find that it's a great way to de-stress and clear your head.
As you get to know the other volunteers, you start to feel more positive and hopeful about the world. You realize there are still good people out there who are working to make a difference, and you start to feel like you could make a difference too. 🦋
One day, while volunteering at the community garden you overhear a conversation between two of the other volunteers, talking about how they're concerned about the lack of affordable housing in the area, and you discover that this is something you're passionate about too.
You start a petition to raise awareness about the issue and are amazed at how quickly it gains traction. 🗒️ Within a few weeks, you've collected hundreds of signatures and started to get media attention.
You're proud of what you've accomplished and happy you've finally found a place where you belong. At last, you feel like you can make a difference! 🦚
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the bad news, these are my top strategies to find supportive connections that will help you make a difference.
A community is like a quilt: each person adds their own unique piece to create something beautiful.
- Unknown
Connect with Nature
Go for a walk in the woods. 🌳 This is a great way to connect with nature and clear your head. Focus on the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest, and let the stress of the day melt away. Getting quiet in Nature will also help you process your feelings.
Sit by a river or stream. 🌊 The sound of running water can be very calming, and it can help to clear your mind. You can also watch the fish swimming in the water, or the birds flying overhead. Again, this gives you a safe place to process all those heavy feelings about the sh^t on the news or the a$$holes at the grocery store.
Write about your experiences in nature. 🖊️ This is a great way to reflect on your feelings, do the inner work you need to do to find your passions and purpose, and inspire others. You can write in a journal, blog, or even start a book.
Connect with Others Who Have Similar Goals or Values
Volunteer for a cause you care about. This is a great way to meet like-minded people who are as interested in creating positive change as you are. There are many different causes to choose from, so pick one or two that are most meaningful for you. As with the story above, this may lead to other passions and interests, too. ❤️🔥
Join a club or group. This is another great way to meet new people and connect with others who share your concerns about what's happening in the world. 🤝You can decide to find a club or group local to your area or you can choose to connect online, like in my Soulful Sisterhood.
Maybe you’re thinking “I want to do these things, but the harder I try, the worse I feel.”
I get it! It’s depressing to watch the dumpster fire getting worse with each news cycle.
There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.
- Idowu Koyenikan
Remember:
It's okay to feel overwhelmed.
It's normal to feel overwhelmed when you're learning about the problems that are facing the world. The news can be a constant stream of sh^t that makes you feel like the world sucks, and it can be easy to get stuck in the belief that there's nothing you can do to make a difference.
Honor and validate your emotions.
It's important to honor and validate your emotions. It's okay to feel overwhelmed, angry, or sad. These are all normal emotions to feel when you're learning about the problems that are facing the world.
Use your feelings to inspire others.
Your feelings can be a powerful force for good. When you're feeling overwhelmed, it can be easy to shut down and give up. Instead, channel your feelings into action, and you can inspire others to do the same.
You can find support in community.
There are many online and offline communities where you can connect with people who are passionate about making a difference. These communities will provide you with support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging. They may also help you discover ways you can begin to make a difference.
The world can feel like it's falling apart. News headlines are constantly hitting us with stories of war, the erosion of our civil liberties, hate crimes, and climate change. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and lost.
But don't give up! You can make a difference.
Here's how:
Find something that you are passionate about in making a difference and you’ll find a waiting kinship of people willing to unite for the cause.
- Wes Adamson
Use your voice. Share your story and your passion with others. You never know who you might inspire.
Take action. Every small action adds up to a big difference. Volunteer your time, donate to a cause you believe in, or spread awareness about an important issue.
Find your tribe. There are people all over the world who are working to make it a better place. Find a community of people who share your values and goals.
You're not alone. We're all in this together. 💪
Join the Soulful Sisterhood.
We are a group of womxn who are passionate about making the world a better place. We come from all walks of life, but we are united by our desire to use our voices and our actions to create positive change.
In the Soulful Sisterhood, you will find:
Support and inspiration from other womxn who are passionate about making a difference.
Opportunities to learn about and get involved in important causes.
A safe space to share your thoughts and feelings.
If you're ready to take action and make a difference in the world, I encourage you to join the Soulful Sisterhood today. Click to learn more about our community.
💖Together, we can make a difference. 💖