Navigating Through Hard Times

Written by Fira

Edited by Fira

Photo by: Oliver Suire Verley

Times have never been tougher than now for a lot of people around the world; war, chaos, and economies on the brink of collapse are the daily news we see, hear, and consume. It might seem like life is hopeless and we’re all doomed, so why try at all? It's all pointless. It really is hard to navigate ourselves, especially for the teens and young adults who are just learning and finding their footing in the real world. However, we as humans have more power to change than we give ourselves credit for.

It's gravely important we realize that we can’t bear the burdens of the world alone as individuals, but instead we can collectively change it through small actions built consistently. Humans are social creatures who can’t exist alone; we’re meant to thrive in communities built with care, support, and love. So, share the burden and do what you can, and let go of things you can’t control. Instead, focus on what you can do. How exactly do you show up for things that matter while not burning yourself out, especially in a chaotic world?

Participate and show up for your local community.

A lot of local non-profit organizations host charity events and seek out volunteers that are willing to participate but receive less attention. Join them regardless of the scale; you’re already making someone else’s life brighter by simply showing up. This is true change, one where it quietly yet surely builds over time. This voluntary work doesn’t have to be boring; bring your friends and join along together and create memories to cherish with them.

Family and friends are part of your change too.

Strangers aren’t the only people who you can bring change to; how many of us are willing to take time out of our lives to help our own family and friends? It could just be lending our ears to them or helping them with the little things in their daily lives. Say, you’re going home for the weekend with the feeling that you just want to relax at home. You could help your mom or dad with something they always do, something small, like washing the dishes or taking out the trash. Do it even occasionally because people feel touched often by the small things too. It doesn’t have to be a grand or expensive gift or trip; just show up when it matters, which often can be at your own inconvenience.

Daily acts of kindness can go a long way.

Kindness is different from politeness; it stems from our hearts, making it one of the purest forms of interaction with others. There are a lot of things we can incorporate into our daily lives too, nothing too grand or radical, in fact. As students, we’re most likely not financially well-off, at least most of us aren’t, creating a tendency for us to think that we can’t contribute anything. So, what kind of acts of kindness can we try every day? Smiling warmly when you’re walking past someone might not seem like much, but it can make someone's day. Small and genuine actions are worth more than flashy, manufactured actions. 

These are gentle reminders for today for all of us that life may be difficult, but it is also beautiful and worth living. Make efforts without expecting something in return and live life to the fullest every single day. Then, you'll notice that while there are a lot of negative things going on, when you focus on the things you can control and change, living feels lighter.