Lately, many people I speak to are overwhelmed by the weight of the world. The cruelty. The injustice. The chaos. It’s easy to get swept up in it — to feel angry, sad, helpless, or outraged.
And I get it. These feelings are valid. It’s a sign your heart is working. That you care.
But I also see people letting the actions of others consume them entirely. They read, scroll, talk, worry, argue, repeat. Their emotional world becomes dictated by everything that’s outside of them.
And that’s exhausting. And painful.
This isn’t a call to be indifferent. Or to put your head in the sand.
It’s an invitation to gently return to your sphere of influence.
What You Can Influence
You can’t change world leaders. You can’t undo what others have done. You can’t force strangers to behave differently.
But you can change how you respond. You can choose where your energy goes. You can be a calm and loving presence in your corner of the world.
Not everything needs your full emotional bandwidth. Especially the things you cannot change.
Five Gentle Ways to Stay in Your Sphere of Influence
- Limit your media intake. Stay informed, yes. But protect your nervous system. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world in your feed.
- Practice presence. Ground yourself in simple moments: your breath, your cup of tea, the feel of your feet on the floor.
- Respond, don’t react. Take a pause before you speak, share, or spiral. Ask: Is this helpful? Is this mine to hold?
- Contribute where you can. Volunteer, donate, support a neighbor, or simply offer kindness to those around you. Start small. Start near.
- Create quiet rituals. Light a candle. Take a walk. Water your plants. These tiny acts are declarations of peace.
What You Focus On Grows
There is still so much to be grateful for.
The smell of the air after summer rain. The warm smile of a stranger at the checkout. An hour spent drinking tea with a friend. A walk in the snow with your dog. The comfort of your own breath.
The world is complex. But your response can be simple. Come back to yourself. To what you can touch. To what you can hold. To what you can give.
Let the noise exist — but don’t let it steal your gentleness.
The sphere of influence isn’t a place of powerlessness. It’s a place of quiet strength.
Feeling emotionally drained by the world? You’re Allowed to Be Tired is a gentle reminder that rest is valid, even when others keep going.