Recently, a friend, who I hadn’t seen for a while and who had been a member of Extinction Rebellion, told me he was disillusioned about trying to do anything about the climate crisis anymore. We talked and he shared some negative scientific articles he’d recently read about food and population.
I’d been feeling quote low, and this conversation tipped me over into hopelessness.
I had no answers. I felt like I’d fallen into a deep hole.
So how do we stay positive? How do we stay inspired to not give up? How do we stay hopeful?
This is a post loosely about “hope”. There may be more to follow. Hope in the context of the climate and ecological crises and the future. “Hope” might not be the right word. In fact I know it’s not. But it’s a place to start.
What brings me hope – what keeps me engaged
Here are some things that have, at different times, worked for me.
- Nature – the latest, miracle drug
This works pretty much every time (although sometimes only when I’m out there). And even 5 minutes can make a difference. And it doesn’t have to be grand scale nature.
- Being with others
Being with other people who are concerned and engaged. I belong to our village’s Extinction Rebellion (XR) group and our local, active sustainability group.
A few days ago a fellow XR member told me (perhaps apologetically) that they had no time or energy to get involved. But then they added “but I’m still really concerned” … hearing that really lifted my spirits. Go figure.
- Being engaged – actually doing something
Even when it’s small and especially when it’s with others. Joining my local XR group; learning about Citizens Assemblies (in preparation for a talk); going on a protest; clicking ‘send’ on this post. - Throwing my cap over the wall
When I have a “good” idea, I try to tell at least one other person. Then “my cap” is on the other side of “the wall” – and I have to climb the wall to retrieve it – I’m encouraged to do it.
It happened with this post. The idea sat in my head for months (I’m too embarrassed to tell you it’s actually been over a year!) I regularly returned to it, struggled, did nothing and felt bad. Finally, I told a group of friends … and here it is.
- Zooming out
I start by picturing me and my “small” world …
… I then zoom out … and I see my village, my community …
… and I zoom out … and I see Devon …
… and I zoom out … and I see the UK and then Europe …
… and I zoom out … and I see our planet …
… and I zoom out … and I see our solar system …
… and I zoom out … and I see our galaxy …
… and I zoom out … and I see the universe …
…and, usually, at some point in this process, a calmness comes over me – my thoughts, concerns and anxieties disappear. I shift into a different perspective – one that is far bigger than me and even all of humanity. I become blissfully insignificant.
I recently heard someone else describing how, when feeling depressed about the state of our planet, uses the same process. He summed it up succinctly … “we’re not going to fuck up the universe!” He looked genuinely relieved. I get it … … sometimes.
So back to my conversation with my disillusioned friend …
On that occasion no amount of positive news or thoughts helped and none of these strategies felt like they’d make any difference.
It took me until the next day before I (re)discovered my answer – not for him, but for myself.
And it’s the answer that, when all else fails, I return to.
“How do I want to live my life, and what would I want to be able to tell my grandchildren I did or tried to do? Even when things feel hopeless.”
I want to live amongst people who haven’t given up. People who, despite the odds, challenges or impossibilities, are trying.
I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.
Send what works and what doesn’t to massimo@itsorted.org.uk
And if I get enough responses, maybe I’ll share some next time.
And (on a lighter note) remember …
Image Credit to Rose Rigden and thewildside.co.nz
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