Thank you so much everyone for sharing your thoughts on staying sane in a crazy world, I took a lot of comfort from the fact I am not alone in my thoughts.
@AnotherCrazyBirdLady I'm sorry to have brought a lump to your throat, but I am glad I also perhaps made you feel less alone too! I absolutely love the idea of filling yourself with a pink glow, it's not nothing at all and I wholeheartedly agree the smallest things are the big things these days.
I admire your optimism @speakout, I really do. I am trying to look for crumbs of comfort, but on the whole I am finding avoiding thinking about it all too much the best course of action for now. I think in part it might be the fact I'm a new mum...I just keep feeling awful about the state of the world I have brought DD into. She hasn't known truly normal life since she was born! I absolutely adored the poem you shared, it made my skin tingle with knowing. How painfully true. Like you, I also get recharged from alone time. Have you read Susan Cain's 'Quiet'? I think you'd like it.
I love the idea of channeling your outrage @Aerwyna, what a wise idea. You're totally right about it building into anxiety otherwise. I have started doing some tapping meditations for releasing anger and WOW, it turns out I have a lot of it! Can I just say, I always so enjoy and admire your posts. The way you weave together the themes of recent discussions is really inspiring and insightful.
It's interesting that you have also been triggered into this line of thinking with motherhood @queenrollo, I am really buoyed by your approach as I can see similarities in where I am headed. Particularly with regards to focusing local; my latest project has been finding a local farm shop and getting as much of our food from it. It's small fry in the grand scheme, but it's also one of the few ways I can make a difference with my money. I hope your pain has settled down, that sounds very challenging to deal with. I loved the tale of you and your son bunking off of sports day for the beach, as a child that hated sports day with a passion it made me smile.
I need to take a leaf out of @HillsBesideTheSea 's book and not read more than I need to. It's hard...I get pulled in and I lack the willpower to disengage. I really agree we should do away with 24/7 news, it's just asking for trouble. I love the petals you found - they look like hearts!
I adore your approach of taking in the night sky for perspective @VioletCharlotte , it's not something I actively do but when I happen to I feel exactly as you describe. And like you, I find the sea has a very similar effect. I am lucky enough to get to walk on the coast every day and it's a habit I fell out of - I started up again this week and what do you know, I am feeling better already. Nature is a powerful tonic isn't it? You're right about the world always shifting and looking back through rose tinted glasses. Thank you for reminding about the practice of gratitude too, I have a gratitude journal I've been neglecting for a few weeks, but you're right, the shift is always incredibly fast.
You're right about feeling compelled to know about everything @Ostara212, it's a fairly new phenomenon and I'd guess quite damaging to our mental health. Like queenrollo mentioned above, if you can pull back and focus on the local and making real, meaningful change there first that can be helpful.
I hope you're OK @TotoAnnihiliation, it's never easy losing someone you love. Good for you for taking the time you need, no apology needed.
This is such a wonderful, calm, restorative spot. I am going to make it my mission to come here more often, and visit news sites less often!
I'm off to make a vegetable hash and eggs, then curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. Good night lovely ones.