When the News is Too Much
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
The world has been giving heavy feelings, but don’t stay stuck there!
At the end of January, I found myself sitting on the couch, feeling anxious, and I didn’t know why. To shift the uncomfortable feeling, I took my dog, Willow, out for a walk. When I returned, I felt good again, and realized that I had been flipping back and forth between local news and world news, trying to stay informed. But what was really happening? The doom scroll was affecting me. I felt outrage, compassion, and a deep sense of helplessness.
I had been absorbing so much, and it was too big to process.
I don’t love big protests, they can feel overwhelming to me, but that weekend I attended the Abolish ICE human banner at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. And something interesting happened. The moment I decided to do something, the anxiety lessened. Just making a choice to show up in a way that felt manageable shifted everything.
I think I like the human banner because it’s organized and everyone lines up. There’s structure. Clear roles. Calm energy. (There really is something for everyone.🤣)
But I was also reminded of why I do the work I do. So many of us who care are struggling with nervous system regulation. I remind myself that when I feel that bit of despair creeping in, what I offer truly helps others, and that intention flows outward into the world as positive, loving energy. Whether it’s a sound bath, Reiki, or a coaching session to get better sleep, I’m here to support you in feeling good and regulated, so you can show up to do your best work in the world.
If any of this speaks to you, I’d love to have you join me this month or simply reply and say hello. I always enjoy hearing how you’re doing.
We’ve got this!
❤️
Nicole
Practice at Home:
If worry and anxiety are keeping you up at night, loving kindness meditation can offer the practice of self-love and self-compassion.
Keep yourself in mind and feel the words that you are repeating to yourself.
May I be happy.
May I be well.
May I be at ease.
May I be at peace.
You may repeat these phrases over and over as a practice of self compassion and love towards yourself. If you would like to extend it outward, repeat these phrases, keeping in mind a person you love, then an acquaintance, then a person who you have difficulty with, and moving throughout your community and the world. Focus on the feelings of connectedness and peace.
Make this meditation your own by changing it up, however feels best to you!
If you would like to follow along, here’s a video post I made: Loving Kindness
