The world as we know it today feels heavy, with political tensions, atrocities, wars, and crises filling the air. Innocent civilians, namely children and families, are caught in the crossfire, while communities, such as those of Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon, are displaced and shattered. In such challenging times, practicing self-care and self-love becomes essential for maintaining hope and resilience.
For many, this reality is a daily weight on the heart and mind, exacerbating feelings of helplessness, anxiety, and despair. Some people have family and friends directly impacted while they are indirectly impacted, not knowing whether they will ever talk to their loved ones again.
Other individuals can relate through empathy, thinking about how sectors of people are being wiped out intentionally through acts of genocide and how morally and ethically wrong this is. Martin Luther King Jr. once proclaimed that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.” For this reason and more, Coral Heart Counseling stands on the side of humanity; seeing everyone as deserving of life and safety. War simply destroy and cause trauma in young souls who deserve to live a life of freedom.
Nevertheless, amid this turbulence, there is a powerful call to action: the call to cultivate self-care, self-love, and hope, not just as luxuries, but as necessities for survival and resilience.
This blog explores how we can nurture ourselves emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in a world that often feels politically toxic and too painful to bear, using the concepts of self-care, self-love, and hope to create space for healing and the strength to keep pushing for change.
Acknowledging the Weight of the World
When we think about the wars, conflicts, and humanitarian crises affecting civilians globally, notibly those of Middle Eastern and African descent in today’s world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
The magnitude of suffering can leave us feeling powerless, especially when we see innocent lives being destroyed in the name of politics, power, or ideology. Every day, we are bombarded with stories that we just might not know if it’s correct or if censorship is occurring to block us from hurtful realities.
For many Black, Brown, and People of Color of historically marginalized communities, this feeling of powerlessness can be compounded by personal experiences of systemic oppression.
Whether it’s racism, discrimination, or political policies that dehumanize specific communities, the stress of the external world intertwines with personal struggles. And when it feels like every corner of the world is consumed by hatred or division, it’s even harder to hold on to hope.
The first step toward coping in this politically toxic environment is to recognize the weight that we are carrying because, frankly – it’s a lot. Sometimes, the weight of the world, especially since there is a concept of powerlessness connected, can become distressful.
The lack of control that most of us have at this time is little and we don’t know when those who have power in their hands will step back from violence towards communities of people. We also do not know when people who have power in their hands, but serving as complicit bystanders, will take a bold and courageous stand.
Acknowledging that it’s okay to feel hurt, angry, and exhausted by the state of the world might sound like a simple task, but it can be a challenge. Nevertheless, this acknowledgment is the foundation of healing and, paradoxically, a starting point for personal empowerment.
The Importance of Self-Care in Times of Crisis
In a world filled with death, pain, and suffering, practicing self-care may seem like an impossible or even selfish task. However, it is crucial to remember that taking care of yourself is not an act of selfishness, but one of survival and resilience.
Self-care gives you the energy and strength to continue showing up for yourself, the causes that you believe in, and for the people who’s power has been taken away.
In many ways, self-care can be a form of resistance. When the world tells us we are powerless, taking time to care for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being is a way of reclaiming control over our lives. By prioritizing our health, we make it clear that our value is not dependent on the state of the world but is inherent and non-negotiable.
Some practical self-care strategies in the face of a politically toxic world include:
- Setting Boundaries: Limit your exposure to news and social media if it begins to feel overwhelming and too much to carry. While staying informed is important, consuming too much information about political conflicts and atrocities can contribute to burnout, depression, and secondary trauma.
- Creating Safe Spaces: Build environments where you can decompress and feel safe, whether it’s a corner of your home, a regular meditation practice, or spending time with loved ones.
- Mindful Disconnection: Make time for moments of joy and peace that are unrelated to the turmoil of the world. This could include hobbies, drawing, writing, or simply taking a walk. Many people are also filled up by the sound and movement of music and dance. The information that the brain takes in goes into the body, which can lead to adverse affects. When we take in or experience disturbing information, implementing some sort of movement will then naturally and somatically release some of the harmful information from within our mind and body.
- Physical Care: Don’t underestimate the impact of physical wellness on your emotional health. Exercise, sleep, and nutritious food help support your body in dealing with the stressors of the world. Giving yourself a dose of one of nature’s Happy Hormones, such as Dopamine, can help with relieving distressful chemicals and signals in the body.
Self-Love as a Political Act
In the face of widespread injustice, hatred, and violence, self-love can feel like a radical act. This is especially true for individuals and communities who have historically been devalued, oppressed, or silenced.
For Black, Brown, and People of Color who often bear the brunt of political violence, racial injustice, and systemic inequality, loving oneself becomes a profound statement of resistance against dehumanization.
Self-love is about recognizing your worth, despite the messages you may receive from a world that tries to diminish or invalidate your existence. It’s a commitment to your own healing and growth, no matter the obstacles. Self-love can also be about rejecting internalized feelings of inferiority or guilt for simply wanting to survive and thrive.
For those grappling with the atrocities happening across the world, self-love can take on additional significance. It’s about giving yourself permission to grieve, process, and heal. It’s about believing that you are worthy of care and joy, even when the world seems to tell you otherwise about yourself and/or about other.
Here are some ways to cultivate self-love:
- Affirm Your Worth: Practice daily affirmations that remind you of your inherent value, regardless of what is happening to you or around you. Speak kindly to yourself, and reject narratives that diminish your self-esteem. Your are powerful and you and/or your loved ones will get through this time.
- Nurture Your Community: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Whether it’s friends, family, or a broader community, fostering relationships rooted in love and mutual care strengthens your sense of self. Being with others can uplift you and hopefully take away some of the feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Invest in Your Growth: Engage in activities that promote personal growth, whether through education, creativity, or emotional exploration. This investment in yourself is a reminder that your life has meaning and potential, even in difficult times. Along with this, knowledge is power and no-one can erase something that you’ve already learned.
Holding on to Hope
Hope can feel fragile in a world dominated by chaos and violence. With so much happening, it’s natural to feel as though hope is slipping away. However, hope is an essential component of survival and healing, particularly in times of political toxicity.
It’s important to remember that hope is not a passive emotion. It is an active process of seeking out the possibilities for a better future, even when the present feels unbearable. Hope is about believing that change is possible, even when it feels far off.
We don’t know when the war in Gaza and other surrounding communities will stop – it’s nearly been a year since it started, which is really difficult to reconcile. However, we do know that because there are people who care and who are fighting, some sort of hope is present.
All we need is a seed of hope in order for it to expand and cause impact. It might not grow as quick as we want, but seeds have no choice but to grow over time.
While you may not be able to stop a war or eliminate systemic injustice single-handedly, the actions you take—whether through activism, community support, or simply taking care of yourself—have value. Each of these actions contributes to a larger movement toward justice and healing.
Moreover, hope can be found in the resilience of communities that have endured centuries of oppression, war, and violence yet continue to rise. We invite you to resist the current politically toxic nature in our world today and fall into loving yourself, taking care of yourself in ways that the world cannot do for you, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people.
Finding Peace in a World of Pain
In a politically toxic world, it’s easy to feel powerless. But by taking care of ourselves, nurturing love within, and holding onto hope, we build the inner strength necessary to face the world’s chaos. These practices not only help us heal but also empower us to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering, and to fight for a future where peace and justice prevail.