What to do when the world feels like it’s on fire.

I am not in this space to spiritually bypass all the things and pretend everything is great and fine when it's not. I am also not in this space to normalize what's happening without providing actionable steps forward.

Very simply stated: they want us overwhelmed and scared because that keeps us in survival mode. Survival mode keeps us small and in a freeze response.

When the world feels like it's on fire, here are actionable steps you can take to move forward. Because as caregivers, we don’t have another choice:

1. Know that you are not crazy. The world is literally on fire, families are being torn apart, villages bombed and I've lost track of the number of things that are unprecedented in our times.
   
   You're not doing it wrong, this shit is just really hard right now. 
   

2. Take care of yourself. When we’re overwhelmed and running around like chickens with our heads cut off, everything feels like a problem, everything feels like it has to be addressed right now.  Everything can’t be addressed at the same time.
   
   When we can slow down and prioritize ourselves amidst the chaos, more feels possible.
   

3. Avoid Doom Scrolling and getting caught in gossipy conversations. Get out in nature, get sunshine on your face and cultivate quiet time to realign with what is true for you in this moment. Sign up to get news briefings from unbiased sources where possible so that you understand what's going on but don't have to get caught in the media frenzy designed to make you feel crazy. Research is saying that we take in the amount of data on a daily basis that our ancestors were exposed to in their lifetime.
   
   We aren’t built for information overload so slow it down. 
   

4. Understand that you’re here for a reason and you can't do everything. If each of us takes ownership over what we actually have control over and what our gifts are, then we can all contribute and do our part.
   
   “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” - Helen Keller
   

5. Take a breath. Like right now. A really big one. And decide what your next best step is right now.
   
   Not the next five steps, just the next one. Start there. 
   

6. Feel your feelings. Research shows the more we try to avoid the worse it becomes. We know that the only way is through. Notice your emotions, give yourself permission to feel them, use tools to move with them and through them. Consider that it's only information for what matters to you and what's important to you.
   
   Feelings are information as to what you need, what supports you and what needs to change.
   

7. Get support. Reach out to a friend, join a parenting group or networking group and/or work with a trained coach, therapist or other professional.
   
   We can't do this alone, so don't try to go at this alone, either.
   

8. Allow rest and Joy. Allow friendships and little moments to have a big impact on you. These are forms of resistance and they have never been more important than they are right now.
   
   Joy is resistance. Rest is resistance. Resist.

Me, currently? I’m mad. I screamed this morning at the bus after the driver drove away, not letting my kid on the bus. (Another story for another time). 

Am I super proud of that moment? Not necessarily. But it gave me information: I was pissed.

I realized how mad I was and I’ve been giving that space all day since then. And yes, moving through the tools I just suggested to you. 

The world needs you and your fire, this I know to be true. But you need to take care of yourself first so there is a you to keep showing up. 

Rest if you need to today, so you can fight again tomorrow. 

In your corner, for all of our sakes,
Caitlin

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Hey, I’m Caitlin! I’m a certified health coach and life coach and I’m here to bring sustainable change into your day so that you have the time and energy you need for the things that matter most. 

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