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Emma Goldman-Sherman's avatar

Thank you for this article, Claire! This is exactly the problem for so many of us including many of my clients - and when we are reacting instead of responding, we are all stuck in an endless loop of anxious triggers that often bring up a sense of helplessness. I have been offering group coaching to deal with this, because it's such a huge problem. I find it helpful to pick one issue to respond to/support/speak out about so that I can feel more effective and less helpless. Having my issue gives me permission to let the other issues go. If I can sign something in a minute, of course I will, but I don't feel bad doing less when I know I have my issue. I sign up for google alerts and read books about that issue (or dedicated substacks) instead of single news sources which can be skewed. This way I am in control instead of letting the news cycle trigger me.

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. It's hard to take a moment, pause, and reflect when the news hits, but you are right that it's much healthier for us to choose how to respond than to react. Having one issue to root for sounds like a really good idea. I'm going to think on that some more.

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Thaisa Frank's avatar

Thanks for this column. Everyone needs to hear this. And safe travels!

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Claire Polders's avatar

Thank you, Thaisa! ❤️

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