Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash

I​t is easy to get wound up with all the issues that are going on in the world today; and we are living in a time of uncertainty that has a lot of people on edge.

F​rom politics to the economy and everything in-between, each one of us individually can paint a picture through our own eyes of what we see going on around us.

H​ow we react to every situation isn’t always based on what we see, but it can also come from our past experiences or how we were raised by our families. No matter the path we have all taken to get to where we are as individuals, we all react to everything because it is human nature.

B​ut does everything going on around us need a reaction?

Photo by Taras Chernus on Unsplash

E​veryone has a passion about something they enjoy and/or care about; so it is no secret that emotions will be part of the equation when dealing with things that have an influence in our lives.

A​nd while a majority of our passion share ties with the positive going on in the world, that small percentage which is directed with negative energy that stands out like a sore thumb.

A​sk yourself this… how many times when we turn on the local news do we see TV stations leading off with a feel-good story? Well unless the news station is covering their local sports team that won a championship, 99% of the time they will lead off with stories involving either politics or criminal activities such as murder, robberies, or etc.

C​rime doesn’t need an explanation for its negative energy as lives of victims (and perpetrators) become effected by the events that went down; but the political spectrum is another issue that can be a tough nut to crack.

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

While I’m not suggesting everything within politics is bad has always been a complex subject that I could never understand; and it always amazes me how divisive it makes everyone in the United States. Whether your thinking leans towards the liberal or conservative side (or independent), politics has a tendency to bring out the ugly side in people if it includes a matter that either involves our way of living or issues we care about.

I will not get into any details of the current events going on because that’s another story in itself, but all you have to do is turn on news outlets such as CNN or Fox News to see where I am going with this.

A​nd let’s be honest… installing fear into the public is what the media is selling at the end of the day. That’s not to say the media has evil intentions, but where I’m going with that is drama (or chaos) will always grab our attention the quickest. As great as feel-good stories are to hear, it’s tougher for those headlines to lead off the news.

N​ow I want to stress that it’s important to keep up with everything that is happening in this crazy world. We all need to be informed no matter if you’re left, right, or in-between.

E​arlier I stated that I couldn’t understand politics nor talk about it with people. This doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion on some topics, it means I keep my thoughts on the matter to myself to avoid an awkward conversation.

B​ut I have learned from experiences how sensitive a topic like politics or current events can be with some individuals. And when you have a disagreement with someone as each person is determined to get their point across with the other standing firm, it is wasted energy.

A​t this stage of my life at the young age of 48, I am learning there are things within the universe that nobody has control over; and sometimes it is best to take a step back and let nature run its course.

I have also learned I would need to focus more on something positive to help navigate through society’s challenges; and the area I am concentrating on is self-care.

Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash

I​n a time when a lot of distractions can come our way, it is important to check in on ourselves from time-to-time to make sure our mental health is in stable condition.

W​hether we need to take a step back for a breather or find a hobby to keep our minds occupied, focusing on yourself is a great way to re-center our well-being. Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood and depression.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

O​ne of my favorite hobbies involves something where I can express my creativity because that is when I feel my best. Writing has become a great escape for me as it gives me the freedom to let my mind wander and speak about what is on my mind.

I​f creativity isn’t in your nature, there are plenty of other options to explore that can help put your mind as ease. You can keep it simple like going for a walk, or catching up with a friend you have not seen in a while. Sky is the limit when it comes to self-care.

B​esides focusing on my own self-care, I am also making it a habit to block out any negativity and stay in my lane. This is not saying that I choose to ignore what is happening with my surroundings, it is saying that I am putting myself first.

I no longer stress over things that are out of my control by saying to myself “it is what it is.”

I have accepted that I can not worry about the problems going on in the world because I have my own problems to deal with; and if an event that has no immediate impact on me I keep it moving.

D​oes it mean that I don’t care about outside issues? Absolutely not! Heck, I am not even suggesting my theory of dealing with things is the right course to go; we all deal with stuff in our own way and all I am saying is the method I use has been beneficial for me to stay grounded mentally.

B​ut the more society addresses self-care, the better our mental state will become as we interact with our peers. Sometimes it is better to agree-to-disagree instead of trying to get a point across to someone until your blue in the face.

T​here is nothing wrong with standing up for what we may believe in, and finding some common ground with someone you have a disagreement with shows growth for both sides.

B​ut some battles that are not worth fighting; it is best to sometimes to throw in the towel and let things be as they are.

I can not control what happens around me, but I can control how I deal with the situation. And I choose peace of mind.