Managing Climate Anxiety
It’s natural to feel a bit anxious when we think about Climate Change but that’s because we care! Here are some tips to help you should you feel overwhelmed.
1 Small Steps
Start with manageable actions like signing a petition, recycling or turning off taps. Remember, motivation often follows action.
2 Start Conversations
Share your thoughts and any practical changes you are doing with others. Discussing your experiences can foster a sense of control and enhance wellbeing.
3 Make it Social
Combine action with socialising. Go for a picnic and then do a beach clean. Celebrate green achievements with others. Sign up for updates on local green events that you can attend.
4 Reframe Your Perspective
Focus on the positive outcomes of climate action and the potential for future success, rather than fixating on past setbacks.
5 Join A Group
Connect with individuals who share your concerns by joining green activist or support groups. Collaborating with others towards solutions can give you hope, provide support and help alleviate any negative feelings.
6 Manage Your Media Intake
Limit your news consumption, avoid “doomscrolling,” use trustworthy sources to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Be wary of social media reporting – always check for verified sources if you are unsure.
7 Practice Self-Care
Step back from the constant influx of information, strike a balance by finding joy in climate action. Engaging in simple activities like walking in nature, enjoying a hobby or meeting friends near water can be beneficial.
Examples of dealing with ‘Climate Doomsdayers’ –
Instead of: ‘There is nothing we can do.’
- Try:‘We haven’t yet figured out how to solve this problem yet.’
- Try: ‘We can start off with something we can control and go from there.’
Instead of: ‘The system is too broken to create change.’
- Try:‘We are the system, and we demand better.’
- Try: ‘Let’s start local and build on that.’
Instead of: ‘I’m too small to make a difference.’
- Try:‘I want to find other like-minded people to build a community who can make a difference.’
- Try: ‘Let’s join a local community action and help out where we can.’
You alone are not responsible for solving the climate crisis – we all need to work together. But you are an important piece of the puzzle, with unique skills, interests and capabilities.
Climate activism doesn’t have one particular look. Find the issue that lights a fire in your belly and put your mind to tackling it.
Creating a list of intentions (See our OWOW PACT sheets) that range in scale – from a small step like signing an online petition to a long-term decision to become vegetarian or flying less can really help. This demonstrates how your actions, rather than being tokenistic or superficial, are an important starting point for developing our belief in our capacity to act independently, make choices, and have power and control over our own life and circumstances.
THINGS WE CAN CONTROL
When starting your OWOW journey consider what you are able to control.
- Control what you can: accept that not everything is within your control,
- Focus on what you can manage like your own personal actions and lifestyle choices.
Circle of Concern
A wide range of issues that may concern us, but we have no control over what happens.
Circle of Influence
The things we can do something about. We might not be able to have full control of what happens but we can influence it.
Circle of Control
What we have the most control over. Remember that many things over time can affect our ability to control – our mental health, our personal circumstances etc
Choose your green ‘super-power’: something that you feel motivated about, are comfortable with, that you will enjoy and can be achieved at your own pace, over time.
Motivation Follows Action!