On the art of walking multiple paths simultaneously to prepare for acute crisis, resist continuous destruction of the planet and keep enjoying the beauty of this world.
I like this paragraph in particular, since it guides into a deeper meaning of sorrow:
“On the other side of climate sorrow and worry lies a deep care for this planet, nature, animals and our fellow humans. In the midst of ongoing crises we occasionally need to connect with that and remember why this world is worth to keep fighting for. “
I feel that the worry it brings is our only hope: It means we are changing into becoming more careful and caring.
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I can feel true hope in the realization of the utter hopelessness in our daily pursuits of imaginary happinesses - this lost hope in just having, means there is some hope in actually being. Does it make sense?
The life off of nature resources was only possible in a world with no outer boundary. The diverting them into poisons to all life through hoarding was a fantasy created by the most successful hoarders. Not actually a success story after all. But living within and strengthening natural flows is still possible.
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Do we need to feel a guilt about being happy then? Will it make us complacent and not as willing to change?
Yes and NO! It can make so much more sense to be happy now when consumerism is no longer defining it but actually ruining it: That kind of happiness does no harm at all. It may be harder to find - for us post-hoarders - but it is everywhere available if we just begin to look openly.
I have a mind trick for that: to scan nature, faces and art from right to left instead of narrowly trying to make sense of sensations. We need that true happiness of discovering to completely replace the fantasy of having what we know about. And I can feel it grow! Can you too feel it?
Thank you for writing this! I’m increasingly convinced that community is the answer to all our crises. I’m a working mum with minimal community support for my young children, and it really eats in to my ability to have anything to “give” to climate mitigation.
I have this constant sense of dread for not having more capacity beyond caregiving and my day job, but the climate crisis was caused by capitalist practices devaluing non-economic forms of wealth (environment, social reproduction)... so it is in some ways poetic I guess 🫠
Thank you for reading and for your comment! So many are in a similar situation as you are, and its such a reminder of why we can't look at ourselves as isolated individuals in the climate work, because then all of us will be overwhelmed and feel that we don't have enough to give. I absolutely agree that nurturing strong communities is essential in navigating our way forward in all these parallell crises. We're in this together.
Hi Frida. Thanks for your newsletter. In 2021 I published a book titled 'Klimaatcrisis, gedragsverandering en bewustzijnsontwikkeling' (only in Dutch available). Or in English: Climate crisis, behavioural change and consciousness development. The basic ideas in this Dutch book can also be found in an earlier publication in English: Toon van Eijk (2010). Civic driven change through self-empowerment. Societal transformation and consciousness-based development. Lulu.
I’m wondering if you have resource suggestions for info that would help me implement the “Actions” section. I’d love to, but feel overwhelmed by all of the info out there- do you have a suggested starting point?
I hear you, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed when there’s so much info and so much to do.
Not sure where in the world you’re located, but I think a good start is to do some research on what groups and people are located in your community/neighborhood. And if none, see if there are virtual groups where you can start connect to others who've already started to take those steps that are currently feeling overwhelming. It's usually easier when we can watch and learn from others, and feel that we're not alone.
As for the allowing yourself to also feel joy and gratitude, I would suggest short meditations with loving-kindness or compassion themes to help you connect to those emotions.
I like this paragraph in particular, since it guides into a deeper meaning of sorrow:
“On the other side of climate sorrow and worry lies a deep care for this planet, nature, animals and our fellow humans. In the midst of ongoing crises we occasionally need to connect with that and remember why this world is worth to keep fighting for. “
I feel that the worry it brings is our only hope: It means we are changing into becoming more careful and caring.
---
I can feel true hope in the realization of the utter hopelessness in our daily pursuits of imaginary happinesses - this lost hope in just having, means there is some hope in actually being. Does it make sense?
The life off of nature resources was only possible in a world with no outer boundary. The diverting them into poisons to all life through hoarding was a fantasy created by the most successful hoarders. Not actually a success story after all. But living within and strengthening natural flows is still possible.
---
Do we need to feel a guilt about being happy then? Will it make us complacent and not as willing to change?
Yes and NO! It can make so much more sense to be happy now when consumerism is no longer defining it but actually ruining it: That kind of happiness does no harm at all. It may be harder to find - for us post-hoarders - but it is everywhere available if we just begin to look openly.
I have a mind trick for that: to scan nature, faces and art from right to left instead of narrowly trying to make sense of sensations. We need that true happiness of discovering to completely replace the fantasy of having what we know about. And I can feel it grow! Can you too feel it?
Thank you reading and for sharing your thoughts on this 🙏🏾
Thank you for writing this! I’m increasingly convinced that community is the answer to all our crises. I’m a working mum with minimal community support for my young children, and it really eats in to my ability to have anything to “give” to climate mitigation.
I have this constant sense of dread for not having more capacity beyond caregiving and my day job, but the climate crisis was caused by capitalist practices devaluing non-economic forms of wealth (environment, social reproduction)... so it is in some ways poetic I guess 🫠
Thank you for reading and for your comment! So many are in a similar situation as you are, and its such a reminder of why we can't look at ourselves as isolated individuals in the climate work, because then all of us will be overwhelmed and feel that we don't have enough to give. I absolutely agree that nurturing strong communities is essential in navigating our way forward in all these parallell crises. We're in this together.
Tack för ett jätte bra nyhetsbrev!
Tack!!
Hi Frida. Thanks for your newsletter. In 2021 I published a book titled 'Klimaatcrisis, gedragsverandering en bewustzijnsontwikkeling' (only in Dutch available). Or in English: Climate crisis, behavioural change and consciousness development. The basic ideas in this Dutch book can also be found in an earlier publication in English: Toon van Eijk (2010). Civic driven change through self-empowerment. Societal transformation and consciousness-based development. Lulu.
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/toondotvaneijkatupcmaildotnl
www.toon-van-eijk.nl
Cool! Too bad I don't know Dutch :(
Thanks, I really liked this one and it speaks to important issues that common people are grappling with.
Thank you!
I’m wondering if you have resource suggestions for info that would help me implement the “Actions” section. I’d love to, but feel overwhelmed by all of the info out there- do you have a suggested starting point?
I hear you, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed when there’s so much info and so much to do.
Not sure where in the world you’re located, but I think a good start is to do some research on what groups and people are located in your community/neighborhood. And if none, see if there are virtual groups where you can start connect to others who've already started to take those steps that are currently feeling overwhelming. It's usually easier when we can watch and learn from others, and feel that we're not alone.
As for the allowing yourself to also feel joy and gratitude, I would suggest short meditations with loving-kindness or compassion themes to help you connect to those emotions.
I also found this quiz to be fun and helpful to start narrowing down _what_ each of us can do: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/10/what-can-you-do-about-climate-change-take-this-quiz-to-find-out/ (it's pretty adapted to an american audience, but even if you're located elsewhere it can hopefully give some inspiration!)
Warm wishes,
Frida