“We are in unprecedented times.” This refrain seems to be repeated more and more often these days. What follows is usually some illustration about how things are worse than they used to be, and that they’re only going to get worse. People are also reporting feeling more depressed and anxious than they used to.

It seems that the news cycle only tells us that things are bad, are getting worse and that there is nothing you can do about it. It all feels scary. And unpredictable.

I perceive a lot of existential dread in my practice, and I wanted to speak to this directly. Younger clients often speak about how they can never afford to own a house, the job market is bleak and very competitive, the environment is ruined, the previous generations have taken everything for themselves, and things are too expensive. My more mature clients often speak about cruel world politics, and feeling powerless against sweeping changes that affect us all.

We are clearly in a time of global stress and worry. I haven’t even mentioned the looming presence of AI and the sense that it’s being thrust upon us without consent. Everyone is feeling this, and mostly unsure about what to do.

Anxiety is normal – and can be helpful

All these issues feel overwhelming. And when we are in a state of feeling overwhelmed, we often carry our anxiety around as though it is our best friend. We tend to go into “protective mode” when feeling out of control, and we use anxiety as a shield to ensure we get hurt as little as possible.

I like to speak about the positive aspects of anxiety with clients, to help them appreciate that anxiety is a primal function to aid our lives. I imagine that the first anxious thought occurred in a cave when Susan noticed that Dave got eaten by a tiger when he went out to go for a walk. She likely thought: “Hmm. I should probably be scared that I’ll also get eaten. Maybe I’ll scan the area before I leave this cave.” Anxiety has probably prevented you from getting hit by a car while crossing the street. It may have forced you to clean your place when you were having company over for dinner. But generally, we only speak about anxiety when looking at the negative impact it has on our lives.

A negative prediction 

I point out to people that anxiety is merely a negative prediction of a future event. I also like to remind people that the outcome is rarely what was expected. A common refrain that I hear is: “I can’t believe that I put off that task or meeting for so long. It wasn’t a fraction of how bad I thought it would be.” I also can’t help noticing that almost nobody learns that lesson for the next time they have an anxious thought.

Anxiety is also a physical reaction that makes you want to do something. You’re just unsure, sometimes, what that should be. So, very often, it just sits in our chests and makes us feel restless and bad.

Therein, however, lies the answer: doing something. But what? As I pointed out, there are so many forces out there making us feel helpless and powerless. Capitalism seems to be having a moment of really bearing down on us all. Need not go any further than the grocery store or gas pump to feel anxious. And I don’t think we are going to solve that one any time soon. There are significant structural powers out there that make us feel so small and ineffectual.

You are not powerless

I try to remind people that they are never powerless. Even the act of wanting change is making a difference.

We can all relate to struggle, and sharing your feelings will help you find community and start the process of change. I can guarantee that there are many people who feel exactly like you do and experience many of your same thoughts and worries. I try to think about relating to others and sharing fears like a power. It can feel scary to use it, but ultimately it will shift how you feel to a place of strength and change. Just knowing that others are on the same page as you can empower you significantly. And more numbers mean even more change. Bonding together will relieve you of feelings of loneliness and isolation. I am asking for radical vulnerability to combat anxiety. Sharing your fear, anger, powerlessness and angst will help you find the humanity in others and make you feel seen.

Interacting less with your phone, especially reducing the amount of doom scrolling that you do, will certainly improve your mood. We are seeing more and more research speaking to the damage that phones have on our moods and psyches. I used to think that the phone was a distraction from life. It is beginning now to feel that life is a distraction from the phone! If you can practice increasing the time away from your phone, you will likely feel less anxious.

I am also forever recommending that people reach out to volunteer, even if just for an hour or two a week. You will experience changes firsthand, as you feel a shift inside of you from helpless to helper. That change will ignite a sense of positivity that you can use to feel better about your situation – and recognize that things do change, even when society feels most helpless.

This was written without the assistance of any AI. 

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