health
I’m 21 and anxious about the future. How do I take care of myself without living in a bubble?
Retreating from reality is a brittle way to feel better, writes advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Find people who feel as you do and then face these problems together
TL;DR
- Retreating from anxiety-inducing problems is a fragile coping mechanism.
- Actively confronting and fighting against these issues, rather than avoiding them, is a more effective path to feeling better.
- Connecting with others who share similar worries and engaging in collective action or discussion offers a unique form of relief and strength.
- Personal dreams and aspirations can be improved by engaging with real-world problems, not by isolating oneself.
- The true solution to anxieties is to face them, expand one's sphere of control, and engage in the struggle, mirroring the idea that more democracy cures democracy.