Rape, Racism, Police Brutality – How To Stay Positive During This Overwhelming Period

Headline after headline, trend after trend, hashtag after hashtag. The events of the past 14 days have been really overwhelming for me. It’s bad enough that we all have to be indoors or have our movement restricted because there is a virus out there.

Unfortunately, social media which was supposed to be our safe space has become the outlet of people’s reactions to the series of events that have happened in the last couple of days. From the fight against racism to the outcry against raping and killing of the female gender. What a time to be alive. 

I understand how all of these could affect a person and if one is not careful, everything called bad news and negativity would just keep hitting one, gbas gbos. And you would all agree with me that this is very unhealthy. No one should be subject to such level of toxicity honestly. I’m not gonna lie, I have been hit on different levels, I haven’t been able to say a word on my Instastory and if you know me, you’d know I’m talkative on there, I haven’t been able to make videos for my YouTube channel or even edit the ones I already have.

However, in the midst of all these, I am beginning to find my sanity and I remain positive. So here are a few things I have been doing that has helped me and I know would be beneficial to someone at least. 

1. Don’t Run Away From Your Emotions:

When things like these happen, it is absolutely normal for your emotions to be flying around. It is possible to feel many things at the same time. Anger, rage, defeat, pain, etc. all these are normal. And you would do yourself a whole lot of good if you do not discard them as being ‘nothing’.

Feel all of these, and be aware of exactly what you feel. This is emotional intelligence, and it is a good thing. You are human, and blood still flows through your veins. It is perfectly fine to feel the way you feel when you watch a video of how your fellow black man was murdered in broad daylight, by one who was supposed to protect him, or stories of different rape victims who are young girls just like you.

Pain demands to be felt. Drop all your ‘hard guy’, and feel every one of your emotions. I have cried, I have felt thing and I want to tell you that your feelings are very valid. It is perfectly normal

2. Have Healthy Conversations:

When you feel all these emotions, and you know exactly what you feel, find a channel to let them out. This could be over a phone call with a friend who shares similar opinions with you, or over a chat, or through posts on social media, by writing in your journal, anything really.

As long as it is not violent, negative and it works for you. Lend your voice. Talk about how you see it, talk about its effects, talk about what you think should be done. Let it all out. You don’t want all these emotions bottled up in your chest. It’d weigh you down, literally, trust me. 

If you don’t have the right words to say to literally lend your voice, allow other people to be your mouthpiece. This is what I mean, there are posts, articles and videos by other people that resonate with you or say almost exactly what you’d like to say. Share those posts.

3. Take a Break

I know in times like this, there is this strong urge to want to follow every comment, tweet, post and news about what is going on. I beg you, for the sake of your mental health, don’t fall into that temptation. It’d do more harm than good. Take a break. You need it. At this point, if you would be honest, I’m sure you have already known enough about each occurrence, to act on. Take a break off social media.

Uninstall those apps. You see that ‘bird app’, it should go first. Especially if you are like me, and things get at you a lot. For now, ‘app yen o necestree rara’. Also know that taking a break and going off does not mean you don’t care about these happenings. Absolutely not. It just means you recognize the value of being in a good mental space to be able to win this fight, and you are ready to give it what it takes, which includes taking a break. You should feel no guilt for this. I know you would ask that so what you would now be doing. 

4. Find a Healthy Distraction

I’m sure you have an unfinished project lying somewhere in the corner of your room or your PC. You should probably get back to it. And if you don’t, that recipe you have always wanted to try, it’s time. You see those movies on Netflix? They won’t watch themselves. In case you need suggestions, I have a list of movie suggestions that you should check out. 

Apart from these, you probably have so many things that you have always wanted to do, outside social media. It’s time. Do them, dear. Call your friends, text your loved ones, check up on them, this year has undoubtedly been hard on us all. You could also stay on saner social media platforms like YouTube. Find yourself a channel that would give you premium fun and peace of mine like mine. Instagram also maintains sanity to a great extent. In all, just do something positive to distract you from the whole negativity flying around. 

Personally, I had to leave my home and moved to a new fresher and quiet environment for some days at least. Writing in a corner while staring at the sea view.

5. Pray

This list would not be complete if I don’t say this. I believe so much in the power of prayers and you should. Especially when things seem to be beyond my control. God created the world and He knows how to bring order back. He knows things we don’t know.

He has also given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and wisdom in times like this. You can pray for your heart to be strengthened, you can pray for all the people hurting all over the country, and the world, as a result of losing their loved ones to rape or racism, you can pray for protection, pray till you see a change happen. There are so many things you can pray for. And this would give you peace. Try it, it works.  

I am praying for all of us and for this world. Stay strong guys.

I love you, always.