Staying grounded, even when the world feels unsettled
The past few years have been… a lot. In Aotearoa and around the world, we’ve had disruption, uncertainty, rising costs, extreme weather, global conflict and a steady drip-feed of unsettling news. Life keeps moving, but many of us are still carrying a quiet feeling that the ground has shifted under our feet.
You might feel more worried than usual, or completely knackered. Maybe your fuse is shorter, your brain feels foggier, or you’re feeling a bit flat, disconnected, or worn thin.
The tricky thing is, from the outside, everything might look fine. You might still be going to work, replying to messages, paying the bills, and showing up for your whānau. But underneath, there can still be this low hum of pressure or unease in the background.
Why you might feel like something is different
Humans are not exactly champions at sitting with uncertainty for long stretches of time. Our brains like patterns and plans and knowing what’s next.
So, when the world feels unpredictable, our minds can go into overdrive. We start scanning for what might happen next, trying to solve problems that do not have clear answers yet. While this might sound helpful in theory, it’s often completely exhausting in practice.
And sometimes, big questions can start floating around. What does the future look like? Are we safe? Are things going to be okay? What kind of world are we moving into?
Some people call this existential anxiety – a heavy, helpless feeling that turns up when everything feels much bigger than us.
Sitting with those big feelings all the time can become overwhelming, which is why it helps to gently come back to what’s in your control.
Naming what we’re going through can also help. It won't magically make the feeling disappear, but it can remind us that these reactions and emotions are completely human. If you’ve been feeling all sorts lately, it’s probably because you are responding to a world that has seemed wobbly for quite a while.
Right now, it might be a good idea to take things day by day and limit how often you check the news – especially if you notice yourself getting pulled into doom-scrolling. Staying informed matters, but being constantly immersed in urgency can leave your mind and body stuck in threat mode.
Why community matters more than ever now
During uncertain times, it is easy to withdraw into ourselves. To feel like we need to handle everything alone. But humans cope better together. Feeling connected to other people can help reduce anxiety, increase resilience, and remind us that support still exists, even when things feel difficult. Small moments of connection can help us steady bigger feelings. And perhaps, that is one of the most important things to remember right now.
Building community does not have to mean doing something big or perfectly organised. It can begin in very ordinary ways, close to home. Learning a neighbour’s name, sharing something you have spare, starting a kōrero with someone new, or turning up for local kaupapa.
When the future feels unpredictable, values can help us find our footing. Things like kindness, generosity, creativity, integrity. Looking after one another. These are things we can still choose, even when a lot feels out of our hands. It might look like dropping off a meal, checking in on someone, helping with a small task, or making room for a laugh on a heavy day. Small actions can still make the world feel a little warmer – for someone else, and for you too.
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