Let’s call it what it is: the world (at least in the United States) is on fire. Federally, politically, morally. ICE raids. Court rulings. A president who treats chaos like a personality trait.
And somehow… Slack still expects a response. Deadlines still exist. Bills still need to be paid.
Here’s how to cope with everyday anxiety without sacrificing your sanity to prove resilience.
1. Stop expecting your nervous system to perform like nothing’s wrong
Anxiety isn’t weakness. It’s a logical response to instability. The problem isn’t that you feel on edge—it’s that capitalism expects you to function as if the world isn’t actively unraveling.
Supporting yourself starts with naming reality. You’re not “bad at focus.” You’re processing collective stress. Adjust your expectations accordingly. Fewer tasks. Slower pace. More grace.
2. Create micro-boundaries inside your workday
You may not be able to take a mental health sabbatical, but you can stop letting work consume your entire nervous system.
Log off when your hours end. Don’t read the news between meetings. Take real breaks without guilt. Anxiety thrives when there’s no off-switch. Boundaries aren’t laziness—they’re operational risk management.
3. Separate your livelihood from your worth
This one’s big. When everything feels unstable, it’s easy to cling to productivity as proof you’re “okay.” But tying your value to output is how burnout disguises itself as ambition.
You are allowed to do your job without emotionally investing in it 24/7. You are allowed to survive seasons instead of optimizing them.
This looks like closing your laptop at 5 pm even when the project isn’t perfect. It means not checking email on Sunday to prove you care. It’s recognizing that doing enough is enough—especially when the world is asking you to do everything.
The truth no one says out loud
You’re not meant to thrive in constant crisis mode.
Supporting yourself right now doesn’t mean pretending you’re calm. It means acknowledging the stress, protecting your energy, and doing what you can—without burning out to prove you’re resilient.
You don’t need to be unbothered. You need to be honest.
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