How to Find Happiness While Watching the World Burn 🧘
Read time: 6 mins
Hey there, Climate Insider.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. You’re not alone 🫂
With the constant barrage of scary headlines and global catastrophes, I’ve caught myself falling into a spiral of eco-anxiety and despair 🥺 But amidst the gloom, I want to share a different kind of insight. A silver lining. One that goes beyond our usual discussions.
So, here are…
4 nuggets of wisdom that helped me find contentment in chaos 🧘
#1 🌱 Changemakers = change-embracers
History teaches us that change is the only constant. Civilizations have risen and fallen; systems have collapsed only for new (often better!) ways of living to emerge.
Right now, many people feel that the values and pace that our neo-liberal capitalist system is built on is on the brink 😰
But remember: This moment, as challenging as it may seem, really is just a dot on the vast timeline of humanity. It's a call to action for us, the changemakers. That’s what we’re trying to do at Climate Insiders. We're not just here to weather the storm but also to help lay the foundations for what comes after.
It’s our duty to ensure that when the current system gives way, we have in place the tools, systems, and frameworks to guide the leaders of tomorrow. We must prepare the soil for a new, more sustainable and equitable system to take root when the time comes 🪴
#2 🔁 Make peace with the cycles of nature
Life is a series of cycles, from the phases of the moon to the changing seasons 🌖 This cyclical nature is a reminder that nothing is linear or permanent, no matter how hard our capitalist system tries to convince us that “the only way is up”.
Progress is great but the reality is this: all life is characterized by ups and downs. Embracing this chaos and recognizing the beauty and opportunity it brings, is key to navigating the complexities of our existence.
It’s difficult, unlearning this habit of controlling and taming everything around us. But it’s a lesson of acceptance that allows us to live more harmoniously, appreciating the moments of change and growth as much as those of stability and calm.
#3 🪷 Appreciate yin as well as yang
When Western civilization is in imbalance, I often turn outward for inspiration. I found it in the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang.
In the West, we're constantly championing yang (growth, achievement, consumption) to the detriment of yin (rest, care, community). Now, operating in a society obsessed with speed and success, I see that we have undervalued the virtues of slowing down, nurturing relationships, and caring for our community to our peril.
To live a truly satisfied life, and for civilization itself to find contentment, we must invite more yin into our mindsets and communities. We must learn to integrate these principles into the very fabric of our future models, prioritizing well-being and sustainability over perpetual growth (check out this post for more on that).
#4 🌍 Live in the moment
We all want to feel significant in this world, but this often makes us overlook one simple truth: the meaning of life lies in enjoying the passage of time. The legacies we seek to build, the monuments to our achievements… They’re all fleeting in the grand scheme of history.
What’s funny is that recognizing how insignificant we actually are can be liberating. It invites us to live more fully and to find joy in the simple act of living.
This realization isn't a call to nihilism but to mindfulness. To appreciate the beauty in the everyday and to seek contentment in our connections with others and the world around us.
Closing words
I hope these insights can be a guide for you and a source of strength and hope as you head into the weekend!
In your spare time, I invite you to reflect on these principles, discuss them, and feel free to share your own thoughts with our community in the comments. Together, we can forge a path that seeks to both protect our planet and enrich our collective experience.
Want to join our Climate Investor community?
👉 Join the Climate Insiders investor community 🚀 Whether you are looking for unique deal flow, wanting to develop your Angel track, or simply seeking exposure to the best projects in the space, join us here.
And if you are enjoying this newsletter, the best support would be to recommend it to a Climate friend or colleague 🙏 Let’s grow this movement together.
Take care now,