to start a Ways to Stay Positive thread? Depression, anxiety, global warming.

[KlingybunFistelvase]

Reading this back, it sounds a little less than positive... Maybe it should be 'Ways to Get Through', rather than ways to stay 'positive'? Hope it's not too depressing.

So, I have been to some very dark places (not literally) recently and have had days where I have cried for hours in a row. I have heard all the bad news about global warming and the terrible things that humanity is now faced with. Famine, war, flood, wildfires, extreme weather, soil degradation, the sixth extinction. I have read, probably too much, about it. I'm not burying my head in the sand, but because I really think there is a need for something positive, I would really prefer it if people didn't post comments listing all of the terrible things that are happening. However, if you feel it's necessary to make your point, then so be it. Assuming anyone posts at all that is, ha!

I also am not intending for this to be a sunshine and rainbows thread. If you do not believe in global warming and think everything is hunky dory, then this will not be for you.

I cried a lot yesterday evening. To my shame, this was in front of my toddler and, yes, I know, I need to hand myself a grip. I woke up this morning and cried again in front of her and DH was asking me if I need to see a counsellor, at which point I realised I needed to take action. I have written a list of ways to stay positive in what I feel is fast becoming a desperate situation for the planet and humanity.

I hope it's helpful to someone and that someone can maybe add to it.

1. Things could work out better than I imagine, at least in the short term. Technology could mitigate some of the problems we are likely to face, we may be able to adapt in the short term, emissions could be reduced as people become more aware. I know I am far more active in reducing my personal impact on the environment now and am getting involved in activism. I notice that other people are too.

There are some positives that may occur in the short term as the planet heats up. The negatives FAR outweigh the positives - obviously, but there are some positives.

2. Good things happen every day. Charity work, conservation, ceasefires. There are better, more important things to fight for than our personal survival. Love, compassion, joy. Fight for them instead of cowering (is what I say to myself).

3. As weird / dark as this sounds, I take comfort in the fact that, if life becomes completely terrible and un-survivable, then it follows that we won't survive. If Earth becomes a lifeless, uninhabitable desert, then I won't be around to see it and neither will my loved ones or anyone else. If I died right this second, I would feel I have had a lot to be thankful for in my life.

Obviously, if you have a faith, then you believe you will go to the hereafter. If you do not have a faith, then you believe death will be a nothingness and you will have no awareness of anything.

4. If you believe there ever was a 'point' to our existence, then I for one don't think it is based on the human race living on indefinitely, so panicking that we will not survive forever is irrational. Our existence is, and always has been, finite on an individual level and also as a species.

5. People are generally decent - even under extreme pressure. Beauty, love, hope, even humour can be found in the darkest of places.

Bump

Bumping again! Last time, I promise.

I feel the same sometimes OP. I worry about the world and feel anxious about the future for my three boys. But I find the way to deal with it - for me anyway - is to try to do what I perceive to be the right thing, on a local level.

I recycle, try to be as environmentally friendly as I can be, try not to buy unethical fashion and look after my friends and family as much as I can do.

I also like to get involved in local causes which I care about and try to champion the underdog.

Thanks Nodney. I've really found talking about it on MN today helpful too. It's good to discuss it with people who feel the same way.

I'm trying to appreciate the moment a bit more and stop freaking out about the future so much. I'm trying to remember that I can't predict accurately exactly what's going to happen in my lifetime or my DD's, so maybe I should stop trying as it's taking me to some very dark places.

I'm the same, as is my dd(15). I'm very scared for the future, as is she. We've cut down in meat, walk most places and do local litter pick ups etc quite a bit. Obviously I cant stop climate change, although as long as I'm doing as much as I can, I can have peace in that knowledge.

Thanks marvel

I used to think a little similar to this, then I looked at my dogs. And how they perceived the world. They live in the moment. Not the past and not the future. They live and love and survive in the here and now.

I have anxiety about health and need to remember to apply the above sentiments to my own insecurities.

Stay strong x

Thanks WiMo. I'm trying to do just that.

Life goes on, until it doesn't. And that day could come any time for anyone, which I keep reminding myself. It's weirdly comforting. There's not much I can do to change things beyond what I'm already doing. Have to keep going and enjoy the life I have instead of dreading what might happen.