Self-Care for Difficult Times

How to navigate your way around a black hole of hopelessness—Hint: you have to stare down the despair.

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Let’s be honest. The past few years have spiked the “hopeless meter” in many of us socially conscious and concerned Americans (no matter where you sit on the political spectrum). On a personal level, I can tell you that there have been more than a few moments when I’ve found myself feeling absolutely depleted and defeated; like all my efforts were futile; like the world was careening down the wrong path and I couldn’t do a darn thing to help it change course.

It’s been a tough few years, alright.

The good news is that every time I find myself dancing on the rim of what I call the “Black Hole of Hopelessness,” I’m reminded that on the other side of difficulty, there’s still so much hope in the world. It may be days or weeks before I can refocus and recognize it clearly once again. It may take a friend or family member to show me the way. It may even require some serious personal time and difficult soul searching, but, ultimately, I know I will get there.

I know that wallowing in my Black…