When I was younger, and I'm talking the ages of 14 to 20, I may have tried to make sense of the conflict in Ukraine by writing some misguided post on the matter. As I have got older, I have learnt that sharing poorly informed, outraged responses to various current affairs helps precisely no one. And I say this for posts and articles not written by myself as well (I have in mind the shocking but unsurprising "It's easier to relate to because they're European and white" sentiments from our biggest news outlets at this moment in time).
I say this because I genuinely believe that consuming outrage and fear and anxiety and regurgitating outrage and fear and anxiety is a damaging and pointless cycle that we constantly find ourselves in. If you can keep up to date with the current events and not feel anxious and tense and unable to get on with the rest of your day, good for you. If, like the majority of people, this is not the case, I advise that you switch off the news and stop opening Twitter every five minutes.
The average individual is not going to stop this conflict by sharing images of suffering, by giving their two cents on Putin's mental state, by sharing the sentiment that if you aren't thinking about this 24/7 you are a heartless monster. This is not to say that discussing this with others and sharing your feelings about this in order to feel less alone in your fear is wrong or the same thing as the above, but being mindful of contributing to the online cycle of anxiety is helpful too.
I do not need to constantly consume images and news about refugees or those staying in Ukraine to understand fully that they need support from anywhere and anyone that can give it. This entire conflict and all of its fall out are very obviously completely out of my control. I serve no one by giving into anxiety and letting the news and social media suck me in to a constant narrative of doom. I do, however, have control over small and personal actions such as donating to refugee charities with money or spare clothing or food. I can, in that respect, offer support and solidarity. I can also continue to live my every day in the UK being compassionate towards others. I can be more helpful, more impactful to others if I take care of myself and I am able to be calm and mindful and kind.
This might sound wishy washy, or even dismissive of the suffering going on, but I personally don't think it is. Falling deeper and deeper into a hole of worrying about something you have no control over serves absolutely no purpose. Acting with kindness, compassion and generosity towards others and yourself is something that you do control and will genuinely make the world a better place. You have no idea who your actions of compassion are going to touch, but you can absolutely guarantee that the response will be positive. Even if you don't see it, even though the reaction itself is out of your control.
People can be and are brilliant. They are brave and responsible and accountable. They see another human in distress and they offer their help and support. This is what you can focus on and contribute to. Turn off the news, stop doom scrolling. Act with compassion. It's all you can do.
