Newly Adult 1 : Political Hopelessness
Listen i get it okay. I just saw the European Elections results. I am also desperate. I see you. The far right is rising, as well as racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, and any discrimination you can think. We are seeing two wars, and at least three genocides being talked about and we don't see the end of any of it. But there is always hope. Hope is a discipline, and it is when life seems darkest, is when it harder, and most necessary to practice it.
So, here is a list of things you can do, to feel a little less hopeless.
get involved : Find local associations you can get involved with. Find local political parties you believe in. Local spiritual communities, such as churches, synagogues, mosques, temples. Connect with people, truly. Next time you see people sharing tracts for their party (that you share any beliefs with), ask questions. Join street cleanings, food donation, teaching programs, community programs in your local community. You can also find online groups that can help you get involved in different ways.
vote: even if it seems hopeless, vote. We are seeing abstention record levels, and you know what the problem with it is ? A small minority of people have a lot of power over the vast majority. If you want your voice heard, vote, and encourage your peers to do the same. Not voting is not activism, it is letting a minority decide for you in what world you want to live in.
get informed: go to meetings, to conferences, read books, watch youtube essays. Go to your local library and ask for books on the subjects that interest you. Read the press
see hopeful news: check out this website for a list of places you can find good or at least encouraging and hopeful news ! The world is yes scary, but we can make it better bit by bit !
Self-care: Activism is a marathon, a life-long commitment to justice and being active in building the world you want to see. Take time to care for yourself, to take time off, to listen to your body, to rest. YOU NEED IT. I PROMISE YOU DO.
find community: go to Pride, go to marches, go to meetings, join the Discord Servers. Communities is the n°1 way of seeing the impact of your actions, and the number 1 support in difficult times. You are not alone.
Donate: a little goes a long way. Have you seen the recent trend in tiktokers assigned a Palestinian families to help ? If you have more than 1000€ in your bank account, donate 5€. If you have less, donate 1€. If you really can't, listen to artists who pledged donations to what you care about (for example, Macklemore). Listen to the playlist donating to BLM in the background when you work, study, shower or clean. Watch the ads of Youtube channels who donate.
In the end, I am only another young adult, but I hope what I share helps any one of us.
Additional Resources :
https://activisthandbook.org/wellbeing/self-care
https://yourdream.liveyourdream.org/2018/07/beginners-guide-to-self-care-for-activists-how-to-avoid-burnout/
https://activisthandbook.org/wellbeing/burnout
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