A Small Reminder About Joy
Joy, feeling overwhelmed, and the world today
Times are hard.
It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that is going on in the world. Every time we look at the news, social media, or even just out of our windows, we see oppression in action. Every swipe, every link, every article reminds us about systemic injustices. About increasing inequality. About racism. About genocide. Our economic, health, cultural, environmental, and social futures seem to be in peril. And for many of us, these are not abstract risks but things we face every single day.
It is easy to feel overwhelmed because IT IS overwhelming.
Surviving on the receiving end of oppression is exhausting.
And when we encounter any temporary reprieve, it's just so easy to feel guilt, shame, and survivor's guilt about it. Especially as we recognize the levels of privilege or safety we have. And we start asking ourselves these questions:
- Why do I get to have this when millions have it so much worse?
- How can I enjoy things when I know people are dying? Or
- Am I a bad person for doing something that feels trivial when there is still so much work to be done?
We are so overwhelmed with the state of the world that when joy enters our lives, we don't know what to do with it. We don't think we deserve to experience it.
But let's remember:
If you are being oppressed and you are doing the work and fighting the system, or even if you are just trying to survive. It is okay to feel joy.
In fact, it is imperative.
Joy is energizing.
Joy is hope.
Joy is resistance.
One of the biggest tools of an oppressive system and of the status quo is despair. Despair wears us down and overwhelms us so that we don't have the energy to resist, to fight, or to create change.
Despair digs us deeper into our minds.
Joy lets us see the world as it is, good and bad.
Despair directs our anger at ourselves.
Joy helps us channel it towards transformation.
Despair isolates us.
Joy connects us.
Let's experience joy when we find it. We can find it when we celebrate our communities and our identities. Joy exists when we uplift our loved ones and our neighbors. Joy exists in the quiet moments when we see ourselves as we are. We can take the time to celebrate our wins.
So, let's celebrate and share in joy.
And then, let's get back to work.