Shit is Doomed: Combating Hopelessness
It’s hard to be optimistic these days. With the climate crisis creating constant fires in California and historic snow in the Louisiana Bayou, we’re faced with the approaching expiration date of our planet. With the rise of hate and fascism in society, we’re faced with the removal of our rights and day-to-day safety.
There’s so much wrong with our society and the world, the question is no longer How To Be Happy? but instead How Not To Be Hopeless?
When hopelessness for the future creeps in, I try to think about the past.
We are not the first generation to face certain problems. Oppression has been part of society since the beginning, in multiple forms. There are times when the oppression worsens, and countless lives are lost through injustice. I could give examples, but you’ve likely already thought of ones that make your heart ache when you really think about them.
Oppression and injustice is not okay. It is not something we should just accept as inevitable.
Resistance is inevitable.
Through all the oppression in history, there has been some sort of resistance. Sometimes it exists loud, like uprisings or revolutions, but sometimes it exists quietly, like wearing certain clothes or eating certain foods.
Personally, I noticed that my hope for the future grew when I found out that people were actively challenging hurtful policies, advocating for change, and organizing to support their neighbors. When it comes to news, it’s a delicate balance between limiting “doomscrolling” (over-focusing on bad news) and monitoring good news. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the negative, try searching for the positive. You may be surprised that it exists.
Resistance does not always win against oppression, but it always exists in some form. To me, that is inspiring enough to live through my own hard times.
Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search For Meaning is a wonderful reflection upon this very concept, and the search for meaning when all hope seems lost in the midst of immense suffering. Viktor Frankl lived through multiple concentration camps during the Nazi reign of power, including Auschwitz and Dachau. Frankl testifies that as long as you have meaning in life, you can withstand any suffering in the world.
The challenge, then, is to make your own meaning. There are many options, including love, family, ambition, kindness, success, or enjoyment. Once you determine what makes life meaningful for you, focus on that and make it your reason for living through hard times.
Resistance and meaning are two specific ways to combat hopelessness. Another way is the concept of self-care.
Self-care has been a buzzword lately, but that does not mean it’s superfluous. On the contrary, self-care captures multiple activities and coping skills that improve your mood, relaxation, and capacity for stress.
Self-care refers to anything that is relaxing or enjoying to you. This could be taking a bubble bath, watching an enjoyable movie, playing a fun video game, listening to a relaxing meditation, eating 3 meals a day, drinking enough water, and going on a walk. The sky is the limit for self-care, and there are resources available to give you a list if you have trouble thinking of ideas.
The important part of self-care that truly makes it effective is mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply paying attention to what you’re doing. So, if you’re taking a bubble bath for self-care, be mindful about how the warm water feels, how the bubbles look and sound like, and how the fragrance smells. Focus on how relaxed your body is, and how much of a nice time you’re having.
It sounds basic, but paying attention when doing pleasant things makes a huge difference in boosting your mood and decreasing your anxiety. When was the last time you did something enjoyable, and paid attention while doing it?
The fourth method for combating hopelessness is connecting with your support system. If you feel comfortable and supported by certain people in your life, bring up your concerns to them. They might be feeling the same way, or have a refreshing perspective. They might simply be able to listen to your concerns, and that might help you as well. Your support people could be friends, family, coworkers, and other loved ones.
However, just because someone is your family or friend doesn’t mean they are a support person. Make sure that you feel safe, comfortable, and supported when reaching out. If you are struggling to think of supportive people in your life to talk to, you can always find a supportive therapist or try to build a support community through similar interests. The internet, your local library, and your local community center can all be great tools for connection and support.
These are some ways in which resistance, meaning, self-care, and support can all combat hopelessness and increase hope for the present and future. Do you have other ways that help you combat hopelessness?
Lastly, here is one of my favorite quotes from Viktor Frankl that illustrates the difficulty yet meaning in living through oppression, suffering, and lack of hope:
“But there was no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bore witness that a man had the greatest of courage: the courage to suffer.”
