(Carl Heyerdahl via Unsplash)
Truth is, I’m treading. It has become practically normal for distressing news to consistently be part of daily consumption, and prices for everyday needs are ongoingly increasing. I like to believe that 2023 isn’t the worst it’s ever been, but the realities of distressing times are more apparent when trying to figure out how to do life in your 20s.
On June 29, Supreme Court decisions were a trending topic across online media platforms. Things are happening both nationally and internationally which have a direct impact on freedoms and individual liberties. Navigating adulthood and the reality of the world is both tiring and brutal.
Now, having graduated college a year ago, the demands of adulthood are present. As an adult, I have to be responsible. I do my own grocery shopping and pay bills I wish I did not have. I also stay updated with daily news and trending topics that aren’t always positive. I especially have to keep up with friends, family and a romantic partner while trying to discover my true passions and purpose and tending to my physical, mental and spiritual needs.
It’s exhausting.
There might be a lot of uncertainty living in the current political, social and economic climate. Still, I’m operating in a specific way to navigate my 20s during distressing times.
I’m focusing on myself. I’m prioritizing my needs ensuring that everything related to me is taken care of before being consumed with anything else. One example of this is choosing to not put a limit on food, medication and programs I need to live a healthy lifestyle.
I’m monitoring what I consume. It’s essential to stay informed, but I’ve had to check myself about doom scrolling. Whether it’s news related to geopolitics or celebrity gossip, I find it necessary to limit how much I consume daily. Social media breaks have been my holy grail.
I’m focusing on community and getting around supportive people. What’s really helping me get through these distressing times is having people in my corner who advocate for me in all senses. I feel loved, cherished and supported.
I’m taking action. I refuse to allow tough times to cause me to remain stale and unable to respond to what I see at a local, national, or international level. There are many ways to take action, like donating to causes supporting marginalized groups displaced from their homes or rallying people in your community to increase voter turnout in upcoming elections.
We are all experiencing the weight of living in this world differently. I cling to the hope of the people before me who relentlessly fought for a better future. I desire to use my 20s to do the same for the next generation by tending to the needs of myself and others.
Tracy Noze is a Seattle-based journalist.
Edited by Nykeya Woods