Subject: Finding Strength in the Storm
I recently saw several social media posts, two of which read like this:
"I am 26 and am feeling unhappy with everything -- climate change, politicians, my work, the future. How can I get out of this funk?"
"This year probably took me closer to the edge than I've ever been.... And that's saying something."
Have you felt like that this past year?
I hear you. The weight of the world right now can feel like too much, and when it all piles up— politics, work stress, uncertainty about the future—it’s easy to feel stuck, like you’re spinning your wheels in the mud. You’re not alone in this feeling. One of Jelly Roll’s lines captures it perfectly:
"I’m falling apart right in front of you, can’t you see?"
There’s a raw honesty in those words, a reminder that feeling broken or overwhelmed doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. And being human also means you have something incredible within you: resilience.
I want to share a story about resilience, one that might just help you shift your perspective.
Years ago, there was a young woman named Maya who faced what felt like insurmountable odds. She’d lost her job, was struggling with a family crisis, and, to top it off, was navigating an increasingly uncertain world. One day, at her lowest point, she stumbled across a quote: “You can’t control the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
At first, she was skeptical—how could “surfing” help with her problems? But instead of letting the chaos swallow her, she started taking small steps. She wrote down three things she was grateful for each day. She found ways to connect with others who inspired her. She didn’t fix everything overnight, but little by little, she built strength. She discovered that while she couldn’t stop the storms, she could learn to ride them out—and sometimes even find beauty in the process.
Resilience doesn’t mean you’re immune to pain or stress. It means that you keep going, even when things feel impossible. It’s about finding those small moments of light, even when the shadows are long.
So how do you start to climb out of your funk? Here are a few steps:
Acknowledge how you feel. Pretending everything’s fine won’t help. Be honest with yourself, and let yourself feel what you’re feeling.
Focus on what you can control. You might not be able to solve climate change single-handedly, but you can make choices—big or small—that align with your values.
Connect. Whether it’s with friends, family, or a professional, don’t go it alone. Find your posse; ; sharing your feelings can lighten the load.
Practice gratitude. It sounds cliché, but it works. Even in the hardest moments, there’s always something to be thankful for.
Find purpose in small actions. Volunteering, helping a neighbor, or working on a passion project can give you a sense of meaning and accomplishment.
The world may feel heavy, but you don’t have to carry it all on your shoulders.
Consider talk therapy in person or online.
You have more strength than you think, and sometimes, simply taking one step forward is the most powerful thing you can do.
Remember, resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about always getting back up. And when you do, you’ll see just how far you’ve come.
You’ve got this.
With hope,
Barbra