The news cycle has been particularly brutal this year. From wars and famines to environmental crises and deep-seated social inequalities, our hyperconnected world has made it nearly impossible to escape distressing news. I’ve always closely followed politics and world affairs, but this year has pulled me in deeper, taking a toll on me emotionally and psychologically.
Conflicts have turned my social media into a constant stream of war atrocities, traumatised families and despair. Yet, I refuse to unfollow or look away; I care deeply about injustices and want to stay informed. Watching from afar, I have found myself oscillating between rage, heartache and helplessness while feeling the pain and grief of those affected. Sometimes, the tears give way to an empty numbness, leaving me at a loss for words. The riots in the UK shook me to my core and plunged me into a days-long slump, reminding me again of ingrained racism in our country.
