Creation in Chaos

Your Voice Still Matters

I haven’t recorded this week’s podcast episode yet because none of the outlines I have seemed appropriate for the mood, given everything that’s been going on in the US. The plane crash, the government, the seemingly endless supply of alarming updates… It can be easy to feel insignificant and that our voices don’t have value when faced with global crises that are constantly amplified in our minds by 24/7 news cycles and social media. There are always other people speaking out in meaningful ways—when we listen to them, we might think we can’t add anything of value because they can ‘do it better’, and if we don’t want to talk about things that are happening in the world at all, we might hold back from a sense that focusing on “small” things is wrong when bigger issues are at the forefront. Anything outside of those issues suddenly seems trivial.

But your work, your voice, and your insights still matter. The things that were important two months ago don’t suddenly become unimportant in times of uncertainty. People still need connection, humor, guidance, reminders of the stability that can exist within chaos.

So, how do we continue to speak, create, and contribute when the world feels overwhelming?

Keep in mind that individual voices create collective change, so even if you feel like you have nothing to say that hasn’t already been said, go ahead and say it anyway. If something is worth saying, it doesn’t lose its value just because multiple people have said it—you will have your unique twist, a little nuance that another person can’t bring because they’re not you. Think about how scientists have to make their work repeatable so that others can use the same experiments to build upon the original knowledge. And if you don’t want to talk about what’s in the news? Try not to overthink yourself into diminishing the value of a break from reality. People need different types of content—some are looking for analyses, others are looking for escape, humor, and relatable content that helps them feel less alone.

Try to set a schedule for reading the news if it is interfering with your ability to write or even do your job—feeling like nothing matters in the face of massive disruption to reality like what is happening in the US at the moment is a common experience, and if you’re sitting at your desk wondering “why are we even bothering with this work right now?” every morning, know that you’re not the only one! Setting boundaries with the news is one way to stop it from consuming you (and please know that I say this as a person who stayed up until 4 am one night last week reading and despairing at news articles about the NIH—I’m speaking from experience and with absolutely no judgment!). The news is, both fortunately and unfortunately, not going anywhere. It will be there for you during a designated hour of news reading at the end of the workday if that’s how you choose to set that boundary. Remember that we never used to be constantly connected. I have honestly considered getting a newspaper subscription and reading a physical newspaper every day instead of browsing the internet. Putting a little distance between yourself and the news can help you escape the feeling that nothing but what’s in the news matters.

Another thing to consider is keeping to your schedule of writing, creating, or whatever it is that you would usually be doing, regardless of how you feel. Even if you don’t share it immediately. I saw a quote somewhere on the socials recently (I have to get better at keeping sources so I remember where things came from!) that said something along the lines of “work according to your goals, not your mood”. In other words, keep showing up. Don’t want to? Do it anyway. That helps keep the momentum going and helps you avoid the trap of feeling even worse about the news because now it’s stopping you from doing what you want to do, so you feel even more like nothing you do or say matters. That can be a bit of a vicious cycle!

Remember that feeling overwhelmed is natural. It doesn’t have to silence you. Keep going, and even if your contributions seem small, know they are a part of something bigger. Don’t underestimate the value of making just one person smile or writing something that makes someone think, “wow, I thought I was the only one!”

What’s one thing you can create today?