When the World is Too Much to Carry
I’m not in recovery, but I know what it’s like to wrestle with my own brain. My mental health can swing so far out of balance that even small things feel overwhelming. Add in the nonstop chaos of politics and the heaviness of the world, and it can knock me flat. If I feel that way, I can only imagine how much harder it must be when you’re also fighting for your recovery.
The truth is, this constant divide in society is too much for anyone. You don’t need addiction in your history to feel the weight of it. The news cycle never ends, social media is full of people screaming at each other, and every conversation can feel like a minefield. If you already struggle with staying steady, it can push you to the edge fast.
I’ve had to learn when to step back, because if I don’t, I spiral. The news makes me anxious, the arguments make me angry, and before long I feel disconnected from everyone around me. I’ve lost friendships because I didn’t know when to quit. It’s not worth it. So if you’re in recovery, I hope you know you have full permission to turn it off before it takes you down.
Some things that help me might help you too:
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Turn down the volume. The world will keep turning whether you watch the news or not. I promise. I’ve gone days without checking, and nothing exploded because I wasn’t paying attention. In fact, I felt calmer.
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Don’t fight every fight. You don’t need to have an opinion on everything. You don’t need to jump into every debate. Your sanity and sobriety come first.
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Find the small things. For me, it’s a conversation with a friend who actually listens, a walk outside, or even just making a decent meal. It’s not flashy, but it’s grounding.
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Give yourself the okay to unplug. This one is hard, but it matters. You don’t need permission from anyone else. If you need a break, take it.
Life in recovery is already brave work. You don’t need to carry the entire world on top of it. Protecting your peace is not selfish. It’s survival.
I say this as someone who constantly has to remind myself of the same thing: step back, breathe, and let go of the noise. The world will keep spinning, but your life, your health, and your recovery are too important to risk for another headline or another argument.
So take the break. Put the phone down. Let the noise pass by. You deserve space to heal.
written by Jeff Allen