In the past week it’s being reported that Australia has reduced koalas populations from millions, to 20,000. And that pretty big country towns in NSW are at ‘zero water’; that means “the fish will die and we won't be able to drink," ABC News reported (1). Crikey... That makes me sad.
It certainly is a challenge to keep… lets say... on top of things. There's SO much information coming through. And a lot of this ‘content’ isn't great.
And, there’s mornings, work and colleagues that can be challenging. And family relationships, bills, showing up, again challenging. And on top of all this. The world is changing. Rapidly. We know that change is stressful for everyone—that’s science. For most of us anyway (the super heroes among us who have mastered adaptability are excluded here).
The unhappiness epidemic
Statistics show ‘How can I get happy’ is one of the most popular questions on Google with more than 6 billion search results” (2). Wow! If you’re a little, or a lot unhappy, you’re not alone.
Have you heard of the term 'unhappiness epidemic'? Google Trends (3) shows that the online search for ‘how to be happy’ is increasing. See for yourself below.
‘How to be happy’ Google Trend report
So what to do with all this?
What do we do? We do the work that keeps us afloat. I think a lot of us know what we can do to help ourselves to be happy; like being kinder to ourselves and to others; not being too hard on ourselves, or others; trying not to judge ourselves critically; being patient; having more discipline; being more ‘present’… And by looking to others for support, this can mean asking someone for help, a small favor that makes life easier, or reaching out for professional help.
The world has struggles and disappointments. Fact. Let’s not be defeated, but driven.
A little motto (or truism) I like is ‘From little things, big things grow’. So, what’s that small thing that you acknowledge, start or give a go today? What will you do today that keeps you connected to feelings, thoughts and memories that keep you afloat? What little golden nugget of self care, pat on the back, a rainbow for your day, or just a “why the f?!k not” will you do? Go on, do that good feeling thing. If it feels good, and does not hurt anyone, why not!
A little effort goes a long way. You won’t save the world today, but you might feel stronger and more connected to it.
Will you spend time with someone who ‘gets you’?
Push your personal boundaries, and challenge yourself?
Speak up and use your voice?
Or do something for a cause you believe in?
Take yourself on a date-for-one?
Write in your gratitude journal?
Meditate? Or just sit still for 2 minutes (do nothing but be aware of your breathe, body and surroundings?
What will you do....? Those who dare win.
1: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-14/day-zero-approaching-as-towns-run-out-of-water/112714
2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/08/13/how-to-be-happy/#3a5fbf1413f9
3. Google Trends shows how frequently a given search term is entered into Google’s search engine relative to the site’s total search volume over a given period of time.
Image Credit: F Hocking.