#feelingoflost #helplessness #guilt #vacuity
It’s the way I express myself, and I’ve come to you today with a topic that has been on my mind for a very long time, and that I believe can resonate with many people right now, especially with my people, home or abroad!
As many of you know, I left my country two years ago. Today, while facing these hard situations, many of us find ourselves lost and helpless. This guilt is somehow haunting us because we are not able to go back and physically help. At the same time, you can't go back because you won't be able to help financially from abroad. And here I come to the main topic, which is:
The tension between living your life and being actively concerned about the suffering of others can feel like a never-ending loop of guilt and doubt.
You might be essentially asking questions that touch on empathy, responsibility, and self-development, which many of us may find relatable. Lebanese or Not…
Lately, I find myself crumbled with a bunch of questions like:
Am I doing enough to help? Am I offering enough emotional support to my people? Am I sharing and raising awareness as much as I should?
On the other hand, I also wonder:
Am I growing enough to be able to make a bigger impact? Am I building my life in a way that others will see my success as a means to serve a greater purpose?
And my friends, as you know, the answers always shift on whatever is happening around us and our mindset at that time.
Some days, I wake up feeling unstoppable, ready to conquer the world. I feel motivated to focus on growing my social media, seeking collaborations, and chasing new opportunities. But then, just hours later or the next day, I’m hit with the question: why am I doing this while others are suffering and unable to live their dreams? If you can relate, continue reading! I’m left feeling weighed down by guilt, torn between my own progress and the unfairness of the world, unsure whether I’m moving forward in the right way.
Today is the day where I’ve decided to seize the day and work towards my dreams by building a stronger presence and a voice to be heard. So here I am writing this blog in hopes that whoever needs to hear the following is reading.
Unleashing my positivity with you!! To seek comfort within self and peace in tough times. Trust me I’ll be reading this whenever I feel low and need motivation too… so here we are!
Let’s tackle every point together.
1. Balancing Personal Growth with Social Responsibility
It’s natural to feel conflicted between wanting to contribute to others’ well-being and ensuring your own personal growth. Growth can be seen as a way to expand your capacity to help. If you’re thriving, you’re in a better position to support others in the long run, rather than burning out.
2. Empathy vs. Guilt
Feeling for others is a sign of deep empathy, but guilt often comes when you feel you’re not doing enough. It’s important to recognize that everyone has limits to their energy and ability. Helping in small, meaningful ways can still be valuable without draining yourself completely. If you’re completely drained will you be able to lift others? (No is definitely the answer therefore empathize with YOU first)
3. Living a Normal Life While Others Suffer
This is one of the hardest conflicts.
While it’s painful to see others suffering, it’s also true that life continues. As harsh as it may sound! It doesn’t make you unfeeling or selfish to pursue your goals while simultaneously being aware of and contributing to alleviating suffering. Many people face this paradox, and your struggle with this shows your awareness and humanity.
4. “Am I Helping Enough?”
This is a question without a simple answer. The fact that you’re asking it shows your intentions are in the right place. You want to help and willing to give the best you could. Sometimes, just asking this question is a form of self-reflection that can lead you to make more conscious choices about how you live and help others.
5. Should I Stop and Focus Solely on the Issue?
This question reflects the feeling of being torn between two paths—devoting yourself fully to a cause or balancing it with your own life. The reality is that it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation. You can find a middle ground where you engage with the issues in a sustainable way without sacrificing your own well-being and growth.
How to find middle ground? Well I’m no expert but 5 points to consider, I’ll mention them briefly:
-Set Clear Boundaries for Engagement
-Take Small, Consistent, and Impactful Actions
-Practice Self-Compassion and Accept Your Limits
-Be Mindful of Social Media Exposure
-Align Personal Growth with Service to Others
To conclude, helping and growing don’t need to be mutually exclusive. They can coexist, and over time, your personal growth will enable you to help in more profound ways. If you stop growing or ignore your own needs, you may eventually have less to give. So, it’s not a matter of choosing between the two but rather understanding that both aspects are crucial, and balance is essential. This won’t take away your humanity or your ability to empathize with the world’s injustices. Instead, it allows you to expand your capacity to help and to raise awareness about the hidden truths and inequalities around us. For sure, in different seasons of life, one might take more focus than the other, but will never erase one another!
I’ve read this today:
“Audacity must be on sale this year”
What are your thoughts about it?
Let’s make our next topic a reflection of your thoughts around this quote!
