Feeling Helpless? You're Not Alone. Let's Talk About Learned Helplessness
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by all the terrible things happening in the world? It’s like no matter what you do, you can’t make a dent in all the suffering. This feeling has a name—learned helplessness. It’s a psychological concept discovered by Martin Seligman back in the 1960s. Through experiments with dogs, he found that when they were subjected to unavoidable stress, they eventually gave up trying to escape, even when they could. This response can happen to humans too, leading us to feel like nothing we do matters; we can't change anything.
When the World Feels Too Big and Painful
When we see the ongoing conflicts and suffering in places like Palestine, Ukraine, and Congo, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. These problems seem so massive and far away that it feels impossible for one person to make any real impact. This sense of powerlessness can be deeply uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing, making us want to look away and focus on things we can control.
Becoming a Global Citizen: Your Actions Matter
Imagine if the situation were reversed. What if your community was in crisis? You'd hope the world wouldn't turn a blind eye. Being a global citizen means recognizing that while we may not solve every problem alone, our actions still matter. Balancing your own wellbeing is crucial, but it’s also important to bear witness and help where we can.
Ways to Expand Your Influence and Make a Difference
Feeling helpless doesn’t have to be the end of the story. There are ways to expand your influence and contribute to meaningful change:
- Join Protests: Peaceful demonstrations can amplify your voice and bring global attention to critical issues.
- Sign Petitions: Petitions show that there’s widespread public support for a cause, which can influence policy.
- Boycott Unethical Companies: Refusing to support businesses with unethical practices can push them to change.
- Donate to Aid Organizations: Your financial contributions can directly support those in need through reputable organizations.
From Helpless to Hopeful: Real Examples of Impact
Think about a suburban mom who feels her impact is limited. Like, in her domestic life of housekeeping and childrearing, how can she really have any impact on bombs being dropped in another country? It doesn't feel possible. she doesn't have any influence over that.
But in actuality, she does. Just as a single person yelling won't travel far, but a crowd cheering at a stadium can be heard streets away, each single voice is amplified and becomes incredibly powerful and instrumental in creating change.
She can join local protests, support petitions, write or call local and federal representatives, participate in fundraising events and conversely, stop providing her finances to businesses, corporations and elected officials supporting and funding the atrocities taking place. One letter to a representative, or one person shopping elsewhere doesn't make much of an impact, but a hundred letters, a thousand, thousands of people spending their money elsewhere cannot be ignored.
Together, these collective actions can drive significant change, proving that every small effort counts when combined with others..
You’re Part of a Bigger Picture
Remember, you’re not alone in this. We all feel a bit lost and helpless at times, but together, we can make a difference. Reflect on how you can contribute to collective efforts and take the first step today. Your actions, no matter how small they seem, are part of a larger, interconnected community striving for change.
Resources to Help and Stay Informed
We are not helpless, no matter how society can make us feel. You are more powerful than you realize. Which actions do you think you could start taking to add your voice to requests for change in causes you support?
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