I will start this off assuming that you are aware of what's been going on with the world lately. If you're not or if you feel like you just don't know enough yet, I implore you to educate yourself now:
- Junk Terror Bill (which is already a law, btw - that's how long this post has been sitting in my drafts!)
- Hija Ako
- Atin Ang Pinas
- Black Lives Matter
- Stand with Hong Kong
... among a lot of other things. All this while we're still paralyzed by a common enemy that has killed over half a million people worldwide as of this writing.
See, it doesn't take an expert to point out that there's something's seriously wrong with society. While these are movements happening on different parts of the world (some even way before I was born), if you look at it closely they basically tell the same story: That the people have grown tired of the abuse of power, the incompetence/inaction, and the inequality that they have every right to be angry. Going through this global pandemic may have made things worse for most of us but it has certainly opened the eyes of a lot of us too, especially those who've been raised in the digital age.
(READ: The People Are Revolting - the history of protest, from BBC)
The Thought Process
I've always been vocal on Twitter, in my different group chats, and even at the dinner table about where I stand on issues that really matter to me. Being on lockdown must have heightened that because for a time, I can't seem to think about anything else other than all the terrible events that just seem endless and cyclical that I started having nightmares about it. It's taking up so much of my energy that I couldn't sit still so I try to raise awareness in my own way, reading about it and discussing with my closest friends and relatives. But of course it's not enough.
I know I could still do better but where do I start? How can I really help? And I'm not talking about band-aid solutions. Maybe I can volunteer or offer my skills somewhere? Who should I talk to? Can I even commit to it at this point? How else can I contribute? Because complaining ain't gonna make things better. Turning a blind eye and hoping for the best without any plan of action is definitely not going to do shit either. I just feel compelled to do something and I don't even know what to do with that.
And so the frustration kicks in; the anxiety and uncertainty growing bigger everyday. And this is coming from a relatively privileged standpoint of not having to worry about my family, my health or my daily meals and monthly bills. Dealing with all those is already hard on an ordinary day for a lot of people so aren't we supposed to feel more obligated in this crisis since we're capable to provide for more than ourselves? I'm asking you, especially if you're one of those people who doesn't worry about paying for your own overpriced Meralco bill.
However, despite everything, I know it's still important to take care of our mental health. The business-as-usual adult responsibilities are still there - timelines, deadlines, 8-5 work demands, staying socially connected, existential problems, plans for the future and all that stuff are still gnawing at us so it can get pretty crazy once you let everything happening around you get to you. The term "self-care" is being thrown around a lot lately and I'm all for that. Take your much needed rest, stay away from social media and toxic relationships, go on an online shopping spree, try that TV show you've always wanted to binge, whatever. Just make sure you don't get confined in your own little bubble forever because these are dark times. Don't ever think that just because you aren't directly affected by it means none of it concerns you. Because it's not all about what's good for you at the moment. I cannot stress this enough but please learn to recognize the difference between self-love and being self-absorbed because most of the time there is a fine line.
Relax Into The Negative
It's one of my favorite phrases from Mark Manson.
There is no such thing as a perfect world or a perfect government, we know this. We cannot please every single person nor should we even try. There will always be a faction that will disagree or will feel oppressed, as my dad says. There will always be violence and abuse and we simply can't save everyone from it. That's how humans are and that's something we should learn to accept. It's hard but it's the only way to live with some peace of mind, in my opinion. However, that doesn't mean you'll stop fighting against it. At least leave the world a little better than you found it, right? Besides, it's not perfection that we're aiming for here - just what the people deserve: actual plans, concrete solutions, and justice equality, for starters. The fundamentals. The basics and essentials. The bare minimum. Because it has gotten so low and it still couldn't be met, meanwhile everything else is falling apart.
I'm afraid Filipinos, in general, have relaxed way too much already into all of the nation's "negatives" that we've come to accept it, calling it resilience as we subconsciously teach ourselves to settle in such low standards. And look where it has gotten us. I can't even imagine what kind of world your grandchildren will be living in if we don't start changing things now.
Funny, I started writing this piece as an anatomy of my own anxiety but upon ruminating (a term I just recently discovered and could totally relate to - read all about it here) I found myself not being able to shut up about these social issues. I guess that's the main source of my anxiety after all. And maybe it's yours too, at least up to a certain extent. So while we all do our best to cope with this crisis and "stay positive", do keep in mind that some negatives just can't be relaxed into. The country's freedom and safety are just to name a few. x
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