How to Stay Grounded When the World Feels Upside Down
Lately, it feels like the news cycle is a never-ending vortex of NEW things. Often anxiety provoking things. And that if we can just hold on, THEN, there will be a moment of calm. In fact, I used to think my life would eventually calm down, that there’d be a point where I could just relax and enjoy it. But if the last few years have shown me anything, it’s that history has sped up, and this whirlwind of events might just be our new normal.
This could either leave you feeling hopeless, or inspire you to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD! If chaos is the baseline, we need to be mentally and emotionally fortified to DEAL with it - and maybe even learn to savor the fleeting joys that life offers.
So, in the face of everything going haywire - climate catastrophes, the upcoming election, or the news that another variant of COVID is making its rounds - here’s how I’m staying sane and grounded.
1. Take in the news, but don’t let it consume you.
Once I’ve absorbed the major headlines, I make it a point not to dive into endless analysis or doom scroll for hours. It’s important for me to be an informed citizen, NOT an expert on things I’m really not an expert on.I read one or two well-rounded pieces and let it rest. Obsessing doesn’t equal better understanding and it definitely doesn’t make me feel any better.
2. Acknowledge: “Yep, this is bad.”
There’s no use pretending things aren’t terrible when they are. Reality is what it is, and the quicker we accept it, the less time we spend fighting against it. Fighting reality only leads to frustration, and believe me, we don’t need to add to our misery. The distance between how things are and how we wish they were? That’s exactly how much we’ll suffer. I’d rather not give life any more ammo to drag me down.
3. Acknowledge: “And! THIS is good!”
Just as I admit to what’s wrong, I consciously seek out reminders that not everything is terrible. A Hallelujah Walk works wonders for me. Try this: go outside and take in all of the good. Breathe in fresh air, really see the trees, just appreciating the little things like the smell of jasmine. Sometimes I literally say to myself, “White rose, Hallelujah!” “Child with a big smile - hallelujah!” Go outside with the mission of seeing all that is going right.
4. After grounding myself, I act.
Once I’ve centered myself, I think about what small (or big) thing I can do with my resources. Maybe that means donating to relief efforts, joining a local community action group, or calling representatives about the ongoing push for reproductive rights. Even amplifying important voices on social media can be a form of action. It’s not just about the action itself - it’s about reminding myself that I have power, and that I can help create change.
5. Hold onto hope.
Here’s what I refuse to do: Give up. I refuse to let cynicism win or to assume people with different opinions are evil. I’m trying to show up every day as the best version of myself, because becoming the worst version of me won’t help anything.
So, how are you coping with the never-ending barrage of news? What small steps are you taking to make things better? I’d love to hear from you. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Make a list of three things that went right today. Send a message of support to a friend who’s struggling.Take a walk and notice something beautiful. Do something - no matter how small - to contribute to a better world.
We’re all in this together.
T$ Hope Scroll:
This video is about making a small amount of progress every day (and how that over 5, 10, and 15 years is how you improve your life).
Progress over perfection, people!
Taylor Swift JAMMING out at the US Open. Talk about embracing joyful, everyday moments.
Glow Getter of The Week:
Every week I feature one member of “The Glow Getters,” my paid, “inner-circle” community. Think of it as my tree house! Readers get journal prompts, giveaways, virtual meet-ups with me, and much more!
Let’s meet our Glow Getter Brittany.
How did you find A Little Thing That Helps?
“Back in the spring of 2022, I stumbled upon Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies and immediately connected to many of Tara's stories on her self-parenting journey, especially as I was (and still am!) on a healing journey of my own. I connected with the quiet power of simple rituals, like making your bed daily and keeping your space "Dinner Party Ready," and of course, journaling to explore your true inner self. As any good Millennial would do, I immediately followed Tara on Instagram and grabbed a copy of Glow in the F*cking Dark as soon as it was published. All of this of course led me to Tara's Substack newsletters and the Glow Getters!
Favorite thing about being a Glow Getter/Journaling Challenge:
I joined the Glow Getters only a few weeks ago, but it has already proven to be an enormous gift to myself! I've always enjoyed Tara's weekly journal prompts and wanted to reconnect with my journaling practice this fall. So with the GG's annual journaling challenge coming up, it literally couldn't have been better timing! Were the stars aligned? Who can say! But I am only one week into the journaling challenge with my supportability group and I feel seen, valued, and loved by an amazing group of women. It's a privilege to be a witness to their journeys and incredibly empowering to lift one another up each day. Even though I'm still "new" to the GG community, it's been one of the most welcoming and inspiring online spaces I've experienced.
Testimonials:
Your wins, trials, tribulations, and thoughts. It’s all welcome here. I would love to hear what resonates with you from this week’s newsletter, and what didn’t!
"You’ve helped me see that on the dark road to freedom and self-compassion, I am the car. The headlights are my willpower. The road is full of many different paths, people, other cars, some of which I may get lost in or I may even wreck into other “cars”. My headlights & the paths I take work together to bring me where I want to be in life. Basically, we are cars. That’s f*cking cool. Vroom vroom." - Ethan
“You are the first person on the planet that actually gets my brain.” - April
Preview of This Week’s Glow Getters:
This week, the SEPTEMBER JOURNALING CHALLENGE CONTINUES. We’ve built our journaling ritual, dived into who we are and what makes us unique, and now it’s time to switch gears and focus on something that can supercharge your mindset: gratitude. Let’s go!
I really agree with trying to do something to improve the world around you. That could mean baking cookies for a family member that has always had your back, or writing a thank you card to a friend who showed you kindness when you were going through a hard time. There’s so much coldness in our capitalist society, and so much hope you can give to your loved ones through small acts of kindness🫶
Not me fangirling because you used my comment 🫶🏻🤩😂💕