We are living in a time where we are bearing witness to unprecedented levels of hate and polarization the last handful of years, and more recently to distant armed conflicts and turmoil. Many of us grapple with an overwhelming sense of helplessness as we hear, watch, and read the news. And many of us have loved ones, family members, or co-worker and business partners in affected areas. Emotions well up within us, from sadness and anger to guilt and despair, and can be challenging to navigate or even understand. 🤷
You are not alone in this struggle. ⚡
The ongoing conflicts across the globe have left many of us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. It is important to acknowledge and address these emotions, rather than stuffing them down or not talking about them. 🤬😢
Coping with Helplessness
Here's how to deal with the helplessness of watching war from afar, emphasizing the importance of expressing yourself and channeling your emotions into constructive outlets. 🤝❤️
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Share Your Thoughts - When your mind is full of heavy, helpless thoughts, your emotions will follow. There are many ways to manage your mind, your thoughts. Find the ways that work best for you. The most immediate ways are to write them down and notice how you feel. Or to reach out to someone you trust—a friend, family member, or therapist—and open up about your feelings. Speaking about your emotions can provide relief and offer a fresh perspective on your inner struggles. Longer term, find other methods to practice managing your thoughts to keep your emotions balanced. 🗣️
- Acknowledge Your Emotions - It's crucial to recognize and accept your feelings, no matter how overwhelming they may seem. Suppressing or ignoring your emotions won't make them disappear. Let yourself feel sadness, anger, and helplessness—it's a perfectly normal response to witnessing tragic events. 🙌
- Embrace Creative Expression - Art is a neverending outlet for processing and expressing emotions. Whether you prefer writing, painting, drawing, playing music, or any other artistic endeavor, creative expression can help you externalize what words cannot convey. It is a great practice to add into your life no matter what emotions you are processing. 🎵
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Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care - In times of distress, it is especially important to prioritize self-care and mindfulness. Dedicate time to relax, de-stress, and find peace within yourself. Engage in activities like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or immersing yourself in the tranquility of nature. If these seem impossible, close your eyes and breath in an out as deeply and slowly as possible. Do this as often as you can, even if for 1-2 minutes at a time. 🧘♀️
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Connect with Like-minded Souls - Seek comfort in the company of others who share your concerns. Online forums, support groups, and community organizations can offer a sense of connection and validation as you share experiences with those who truly understand. Pay attention to negativity however. Set boundaries for yourself, your mind, and your mental well-being. If one community is not healthy, try another. Keep trying communities until one feels safe and committed to healthy coping. 👥
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Take Action, No Matter How Small - Combat helplessness by contributing to the cause. Whether through donations to relief organizations, volunteering your time, or spreading awareness about the conflict, taking even small steps can transform your feelings of helplessness into empowerment. If you feel too overwhelmed by a specific conflict or cause, help with something else. There are so many worthy causes, it really does not matter which one you pick (given that it is a worthy cause). Do not cause yourself extra unneeded grief by stressing out over which cause to work with. Talk it out with a trust advisor, friend, or therapist if you are having trouble deciding. 💪
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Be Patient with Yourself - Healing takes time. Do not expect your thoughts and feelings to vanish overnight. Allow yourself the space and time to process your feelings at your own pace, and don't be too hard on yourself. As long as you are committed to your healing journey, you are on the right path, no matter how long it takes, or how rocky it may seem.❤️
- Seek Professional Help if Necessary - If you find it challenging to cope with your emotions, don't hesitate to seek professional assistance. A therapist can provide guidance and support in managing your emotional well-being. 🧑⚕️
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Art as a Therapeutic Outlet - Art possesses an amazing ability to convey emotions that words may struggle to articulate. Here are some practical ways to utilize art as a therapeutic tool:
- Journaling - Pour your thoughts and feelings onto paper, allowing them to flow freely without judgment or restraint. ✍️
- Creative Writing - Utilize writing to explore your emotions through poetry, fiction, or storytelling, letting your imagination run wild. 🎨
- Visual Arts - Experiment with painting, drawing, sculpting, or any visual art form to express non-verbal emotions. 🎭
- Music - Whether playing an instrument, composing music, or simply listening to your favorite tunes, music can be profoundly therapeutic. 🎶
- Dance and Movement - Physical movement can serve as a powerful medium for emotional expression. Dance, stretch, or engage in any movement that resonates with you. 🕺💃
Art and self-expression can help you bridge your inner world and the outer turmoil you are witnessing. There's no right or wrong way to use art and self-expression—the key is to find a form of expression that feels genuine and meaningful to you. Allow your emotions to guide your creative process, and let your art become a source of healing and transformation. 🦋
Emoji Expression of Emotions
Emoji offer one unique way to convey your feelings, especially when words fall short. They can express emotions, from sadness and anger to empathy and support, without the need for elaborate explanations. 🚫
Here's how some emoji can help you express helplessness:
Sadness and despair: 🥺, 😭, 😢
Anger and frustration: 😡, 😠, 🤬
Fear and anxiety: 😰, 🥹, 😱
Longing for peace and understanding: 🕊️, 🙏, ☮️
Desire to help and make a difference: 🙋♀️, 🙋♂️, 🤝
Emoji can serve as symbols of solidarity, uniting us in our shared feelings of helplessness. Sometimes reaching out to friends or family and communicating with a few words and emoji can be a lot easier than trying to express all the words.
Here are some tips for using emoji to express helplessness or complex negative feelings:
- Choose emoji that accurately reflect your feelings. Don't be afraid to use multiple emoji to express a complex emotion. 🙏🤞☮️
- Use emoji wisely Too many emoji out of context can be overwhelming and detract from your message. 📱
- Use emoji in a places and with people that makes sense. Don't use emoji in formal or professional settings for deeply personal or sentive subject conversations unless you have the all-clear from your manager or HR to do so. 👍
Emoji can be a powerful way to communicate our feelings, even in times of helplessness or despair. By using them thoughtfully, we can connect with others and find strength and support in our shared experiences. 💪
Bottom line, use all the tools you have to navigate your way through until you don't need them any more. You don't have to navigate these emotions alone. By embracing art, expressing yourself, and connecting with others, you can transform helplessness into a force for positive change and healing in your piece of the world. 🌏
Imagine how if we were all doing what we can do to take care of our own pieces of the world, then collectively, the world would be a much better place. 🌻
You Matter
You don't have to navigate these emotions alone. If you ever feel overwhelmed, reach out for help. Call or text 988 in a crisis or contact a medical professional. You Matter, and there is support available. 📞🌟
