To ask for some perspective

[Needsomebloodyperspective]

I’m really struggling with my mental health.

I try to avoid the news but as far as I can see, I see nothing but doom and gloom. Life feels
shit. I can’t see my children living a bright future. I’m literally petrified for them. I don’t want them to have children as what kind of world would they be bringing them into?

climate change scares the shit out of me and it’s like everyone in that film just ignoring the issue.

the war in Ukraine I’m petrified it’s going to boil over and we will all be nuked.

electric and gas prices, the economy, my mortgage etc etc

Can someone please help me put all this into perspective. I can’t see a future for my children and I’m shit scared.

This might be the stupidest thing you (and the rest of Mumsnet) have ever heard but I'll give it a shot regardless.....

I always think back to Oliver Twist times. How people must have thought Britain couldn't get much worse. People living in slums, foul language, children up chimneys, no jobs and thieving to get by. Large amounts of the population dying of dysentry and sewers overflowing and stinking. The Thames full of shit and massive great smogs making it impossible to see and choaking everyone's lungs. New mothers then would have feared for their children. Grandparentd's would have worried about the family managing to asked to look after them as they could no longer work and became a burden. Shop owners would have despaired at Government taxes. Miners would have come home with emphasemia coughing up black grot. Life was in a downer for so many and the countries general health was in decline.

And generally things have improved haven't they? Life will go on regardless. Don't focus on the potentially bad circumstances your children might have to suffer in the bigger picture. Imagine closer to home, the love they'll feel, the friendships they'll make. The happy days out they'll have with you and their own children. The good friend they'll be, and the decent, reliable employee you will bring them up to be. The world will continue in whatever state, but it'll always need good people. If you're bothered about the world then it follows you'll bother about bringing them up to be a lovely person the world needs.

Having said that, it sounds like you're getting overwhelmed with things. Have you ever tried practicing mindfullness? It sounds like a load of tree hugging hippy guff to start with, but it can really distract you from your surrounding circumstances. I'm sure there'll be apps or Youtube videos to help. But please also consider visiting your GP or serlf referring to MH services (if that's possible in your area) if you need more support than you can currently give yourself. Xxx

I do this too. I always thought it was just me!

Yep. Like Nancy would been worried about the economy, and smog, and ill health and getting by, but her main rights would have Bill Sykes being a knob, and making sure she got to spend quality time with her friends (that one she danced on tables with to the Oompah song). Same with Mrs Miggins in Black Adder. When the world gets bad these are the people I think of. 🤣 "What would Mrs Miggins do" has got me through some tough times!

Thank you! I have tried the but it used to be so much worse. It all looks so bleak right now.

I just need to know my children are going to be ok. I’ve stopped caring about myself.