Today's world scares me a lot and I want normality to return

Since 2020 we have experienced a series of events that can cause us fear and a lot of uncertainty; and it is that thanks to the scientific and technological evolution we thought we were safe from diseases and other dangers.

In recent months, cases of anxiety and depression have multiplied considerably, not to mention disorders that are proliferating in our society or the increase in the number of suicides (an issue that is still very much talked about). bit). At the MOMA Center we observe daily that families are having a lot of difficulty managing all of this: new conflicts arise or those that we have already been dragging intensify, coexistence becomes complicated, we feel suffocated, our children need our advice and protection and couples argue more than often... Are we losing the illusion of living?

We are not going to go into truths or lies, or guilty or innocent, nor causes or solutions, our goal as a center of attention and therapeutic support to families, is to provide resources to be able to face a reality that does not stop surprise us.

• Related article: "Resilience: definition and 10 habits to enhance it"

The ability to face crises is in us

Does our world wobble... Before, years ago, I didn't, were we perhaps happier, or did we think we were? It seems that our world is changing and moving at breakneck speed, and worst of all is that we feel very vulnerable and helpless. Who is going to protect us from all these threats?

Humanity has, however, experienced other "annus horribilis" before: in the year 542 an epidemic broke out that made almost a quarter of the world's population disappeared, in 1918 the Spanish plague spread (so called because it only spread reported it in Spain) and claimed the lives of more than 40 million people, and as if that were not enough, the latter occurred after the 1st World War.

We have also experienced natural disasters, such as the one that occurred in the year 1600 when a volcano erupted in Arequipa, causing a tremendous famine.

It is a challenge to digest all this and above all learn to manage it. Why is it so difficult? Why do we feel overwhelmed? We are not going to downplay the seriousness of the matter, we live in times of great upheaval and situations change and evolve very quickly.

It is difficult to assimilate everything that is happening for various reasons. On the one hand, the emotional intelligence it is not on the agenda in most schools; Curricula continue to prioritize technical knowledge over sentimental education, when instilling values ​​is implicit in the art of educating.

On the other hand, human beings seek security, since it gives us a (false) sense of control over our lives and our world; Nevertheless, the passage through our existence is marked by unforeseen events and obstacles from start to finish. As Jodorowski said: “the only thing that remains is change”. If life is change, then it makes no sense for us to be afraid of it, but we experience it because we haven't been told. taught to deal with uncertainty, because it is difficult for us to get off the established path, because we are animals of customs. Let's consider what is the worst that could happen.

• You may be interested: "Emotional management: 10 keys to dominate your emotions"

To do?

We suggest you grow the following.

1. Acceptance

Whatever we do, events over which we have no control will continue to happen, so there is no point in resisting or fighting them. Rather the smart thing would be to try to put them in our favor, taking out the positive in the event that it is possible.

• Related article: "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): principles and characteristics"

2. Confidence

How difficult it is to trust when you have no guarantees of anything! How to be calm when nobody offers us certainties? We could perhaps then trust in life, which sometimes surprises us for the better. We may not have faith in anything or anyone, but at least we can always trust in ourselves, in our abilities, in finding refuge within ourselves.

• You may be interested: "Albert Bandura's Self-Efficacy: Do You Believe in Yourself?"

3. Calm

It becomes difficult to control the mind, as it tends to accelerate and become unstoppable. This supersonic pace of life doesn't help us, immediacy and haste are bad companions, environmental and internal noise prevents us from achieving serenity. Applications to learn to meditate proliferate like foam and sometimes it gets out of hand...

4. Take care of our language and take care of ours

We tend to speak to ourselves in a negative or harsh way, we must learn to select our thoughts because “our language is our world and, therefore, our reality”, if we speak to each other with more affection and with more hope, we will be able to modify said reality, but it also supposes another positive effect and is that we will transmit to our loved ones serenity, confidence and good vibrations, which becomes more necessary in these moments that we are living. We are not aware of the influence we have on our close people.

Let's take special care of what we pass on to our children, they do not yet have the capacity to assimilate certain events, let us adapt the information to their age and degree of maturity and we try not to keep them over-informed, it is important to generate a feeling of hope. Let's avoid conveying to them the idea of ​​a catastrophic future, we can explain to them what is happening, but wrapping them in a feeling of security and protection, so that they understand that everything is temporary. We need to filter the information we give them.

5. understand that everything happens

After chaos, tranquility always comes; In the meantime, we must learn to have patience to get through difficult times.

6. Do not focus on the negative, spend time helping others

This will allow us to disconnect from our fears and problems, which sometimes we turn into continuous obsessions, and it will make us feel more united. In front of the people who do evil there are many others who do good deeds and fight for a better world. Think of ways to collaborate and contribute your grain of sand.

7. Take care of ourselves physically and mentally

We not only feed on food, but also on emotions, thoughts, nature, good conversations, laughter... Ask yourself when was the last time you laughed out loud.

8. Let's imagine dreams and goals

The future is blank, anything can happen. Let's keep planning beautiful moments and fun activities.

9. It is important not to always be aware of the news

What the media tells us It's not the only thing that happens in the world and there are many approaches to consider.

10. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious, admit it

Doing so is not a sign of weakness, but of strength.. Try to channel those feelings, such as sadness, through activities such as writing, talking with a friend, drawing, running, exercising or crying (find what works for you).

In conclusion...

In the end, in any hard situation that life offers us, the key is in our inner strength.

If even following these recommendations you feel that you cannot or cannot face it alone at home, you can contact us at our MOMA Family Care Center, where we will be happy to serve you. We send you a lot of encouragement.