We are regressing when it comes to human rights and the ability to make a living with our dignity intact.
When you believe in anti-racism, women’s rights, and equity for all, it’s understandable to feel one or all of the following:
- Denial: Feeling shock, disbelief, panic, or confusion
- Anger: Blaming yourself, blaming others, or feeling hostility
- Bargaining: Feeling guilty and thinking, “If only I had done more.”
- Depression: Feeling exhaustion, despair, helpless, or isolated
- Acceptance: Acknowledging the loss of rights and a livelihood and the current circumstances
These are all stages of grief.
How to Work with Grief
Meet yourself where you’re at, not where you or others think you should be.
If you’re in shock, do what you need to regulate yourself.
Feeling angry? Work with it, don’t stifle it.
Thinking: “I haven’t done enough?” Practice two hard skills: compassion and acknowledgment.
Exhausted and depressed? Rest.
If you’ve acknowledged what you and others have lost, use this clarity to take the next best action to persevere under these circumstances.
Surviving Regressive Times
To survive:
- job loss or job insecurity
- a loss of rights to enjoy being the human person you are – with all your intersectional identities
- being dehumanized and isolated by others
accepting the circumstances reduces the effort you need to apply to move forward.
Acceptance is not defeat.
It’s being clear about the reality and this clarity informs the next smart move, shifting from regression to progression.
For examples of how to deal with different stages of grief, read: You Are Entitled to Your Anger, Who’s taking care of you?, and Rest. Recover. Nourish.
A nod of respect from me to you.
You are taking the time and investing your energy in something worthwhile:
To be empowered to make a difference.
Clarity-in-Crisis – Coaching Session
I want to help folks I don’t know who are experiencing job insecurity or those having existential thoughts on: “What am I doing with my work and life?” or “What’s the point to what I’m doing?”
I’m offering 50% off a regular coaching session for new clients. Register for clarity and relief in this session if you want support figuring out your next step with a coach who intimately understands the context of humanitarian aid and international development and can help you regain clarity and confidence.