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🌍 Tipping Points, Truth-Telling, and Trusting What You Feel: A Guide for Unsteady Times

Trigger Warning: This post discusses feelings of anxiety, climate change, geopolitical events, and emotional well-being. If these topics are distressing, please take care of yourself and consider seeking support from trusted professionals or loved ones.

Feeling Unsteady in an Unsteady World?

Lately, many people are noticing a growing sense of restlessness or unease — whether it’s trouble sleeping, a feeling that the world is shifting, or worries about climate change and global events. These feelings are valid, and you are not alone.

This post explores how to be honest with yourself and your support team, protect your peace, and find ways to navigate change without fear, especially for people with disabilities and those supporting them.

Let’s explore practical ideas for grounding, understanding, and taking gentle action.

🧠 A Great Support Worker Listens, Not Labels

The best support workers don’t brush off someone’s feelings. If a client says, “I feel like something is changing,” or “I can’t sleep, and I don’t know why,” a good worker stays curious, not dismissive.

Because let’s be real: we’re in a world where anxiety and awareness look very similar.

Is it anxiety? Maybe.
Is it a reasonable reaction to climate reports, global conflict, shifting rights, and economic stress? Also.

A good support team will:

Listen without assuming
Ask: “What would help you feel safe or more in control?”
Work with you to explore, prepare, and learn — not shut you down..

🛡️ Your History Is Yours — Not a Weapon

If you're in supported accommodation or linked into NDIS services, your team needs some of your backstory to do their job. But that doesn’t mean everyone needs to know everything.

Yes, your Support Coordinator or Service Delivery Manager will need to know the full truth so they can get you the right funding or care.

But casual support workers, housemates, or other residents don’t need access to your deepest personal history — especially if there’s a risk of gossip, misinterpretation, or shame.

✏️ How to Share Safely:

Stick to what’s relevant: “That was a hard time, but I’ve got the right support now.”
Save deep reflection for therapy, trusted family, or professionals.
Don’t overshare in group housing or with temporary staff
Put boundaries in writing in your support plan, if needed

Being honest doesn't mean being unguarded. You’re allowed privacy and support.

💬 On Disability Rights, Funding, and Feeling Valued

It’s important to acknowledge that disability rights and funding are too often framed as “costs” or “burdens” by some voices in society. This can make people with disabilities feel undervalued or guilty, even when they’re volunteering, working, and contributing to their communities in countless meaningful ways beyond being consumers of support.

Your worth isn’t measured by dollars spent, but by the impact you make, the relationships you build, and the life you lead. Remember, you are a valuable part of society, and your rights are not a cost — they’re a crucial investment in inclusion and fairness.

🏢 On Institutions and Community

Some people still think that people with disabilities should be “shut away,” and for some individuals with severe disabilities or complex mental health needs, closed institutions might sometimes be the best option for specialised care and safety.

However, for most people, community living — with the right supports-is — is not just preferable, it’s empowering. Community offers connection, dignity, and choice that institutions rarely can.

⚠️ Be Careful When Talking About Past Service Providers

If you’ve moved between service providers, it’s important not to assume it’s safe to speak negatively about your previous providers in casual conversations. You don’t always know who is listening or connected to those services, and sharing frustrations or details can sometimes backfire or cause tension.

Being safe and smart means focusing on clear communication and healthy boundaries with your current team, rather than airing grievances publicly. If you need to address past concerns, consider doing so in formal meetings or through trusted advocates, not informal chats. Protect your peace by keeping discussions professional and confidential.

🌏 Feeling the Shift: It’s Not All in Your Head

What you’re feeling might be more than personal stress. Many people — especially neurodivergent, disabled, or trauma-informed people — are picking up on:

🌋 Increased solar activity and Earth energy shifts
🌀 Spiritual unease or energetic restlessness
🗺️ Real-world geopolitical events: immigration raids, climate disasters, election unrest, human rights being rolled back

This is not about panic — it’s about recognising that you might be sensitive in ways that make you more attuned than others.

You are not broken. You are noticing.

🧠 How to Talk About Global Events Without Fear

When people with intellectual or cognitive disabilities ask questions — or show stress — about the world, it’s important to offer clarity, not fear.

Not everyone needs to know everything. But everyone deserves dignity and honesty, at their level.

🎯 How to decide what to share:

Are they asking questions?
Will this help them feel safer or empowered?
Is there a way to give them action, not just fear?

🗣️ Use calm, simple language:

“Some countries are changing their rules. We are still safe here, and we look out for each other.”
“Climate change means the weather is different. That’s why we care for the planet and use water carefully.”
“Even if leaders make scary decisions, we still get to choose kindness.”

📺 Use Friendly, Accessible Tools:

Behind the News (BTN) – ABC Australia
The Day (UK) – https://theday.co.uk
News2You – for symbol-supported reading
Visual maps and flashcards of countries, religions, and landmarks
Audio stories, videos, or guided tours of places they’ve heard about

📚 Build Capacity Through Curiosity

Instead of hiding from the news, we can learn about the world — its faiths, its people, its cultures. This builds confidence and connection.

With family or trustee consent, you can:

Visit the library to read about different cultures, faiths, or countries.
Ask for “first learning” or “easy English” resources..
Watch gentle documentaries or BTN explainer videos
Attend Harmony Day events or multicultural festivals.
Map countries mentioned in the news
Ask questions like:
- “Why does this place matter?”
- “What do people believe there?”
- “How can we care for others from far away?”

This isn't about changing someone's beliefs. It's about empowering them with understanding.

🕊️ Sacred Spaces and Spiritual Comfort

Sometimes, learning or preparing isn’t enough. We need to feel grounded, too.

Lighting a candle in a church. Sitting quietly in a temple. Saying a prayer — even just for peace. These actions comfort many, no matter their beliefs.

With consent, offer:

“Would you like to light a candle for peace?”
“Would you like to sit in a quiet chapel or sacred space?”
“Would a prayer service or moment of silence help?”

Spirituality can be grounding without being pushy. The goal is peace, not persuasion.

🌿 Action Without Overwhelm

Some people feel better when they can do something. A few small ways to feel useful and connected:

Volunteer with a local environmental centre
Make tea and coffee at a nature hub or community garden..
Visit or support The Wilderness Society or similar organisations
Attend an open day or a peaceful community gathering.
Start a seed swap, native planting, or composting program..

🌱 If It Is Anxiety, What Can We Do With It?

Sometimes, what feels like a gut instinct or energetic shift might actually be anxiety — and that’s okay too. But if anxiety shows up, we don’t always need to medicate or suppress it straight away. Sometimes we can redirect it into action, structure, or connection.

Ask:

Is this fear based on something happening now?
Is it a reasonable reaction to the news, the environment, or my past?
Is it something I can prepare for, or something I need help processing?

🪴 Healthy Redirection Ideas:

Start a small veggie or herb garden (grounding + food security)
Join “cash for cans” or start a recycling routine
Reuse bottles, jars, and food containers for crafts or storage..
Shop second-hand first — but know when to buy new (e.g. hygiene)
Use Facebook groups wisely:
- Ask before buying: “Does anyone have ___?”
- Avoid hoarding or impulse buys — focus on need-based sharing
Create a “use it up” week to reduce waste and build resourcefulness.

🐾 Touch Grass, Watch the Sky: Finding Life Outside the Feed

Sometimes the best way to reset is to step away from the scroll.

Even if you’re getting helpful news or support online, your brain and body need space, especially if you're neurodivergent, trauma-affected, or living with a disability. You need places that are quiet, safe, and a little bit nourishing.

We all benefit from an offline hobby — something real, tactile, and satisfying.

But what that looks like will depend entirely on the person’s mobility, sensory profile, and range of motion.

🌈 Low-Energy and Seated Hobby Ideas:

Colouring books and felt-tip pens
Fidget or texture crafts (e.g. pom-poms, simple weaving)
Sorting beads, stickers, buttons, or game cards
Watching birds or clouds from a window
Gentle scrapbooking, journaling, or photo albums
Listening to records or CDs while handling something soft

🌿 More Involved or Active Hobbies:

Light gardening or potted herbs
Sewing, hand quilting, or embroidery (if physically safe)
Puzzle solving or building Lego
Watching bad '80s movies with commentary
Visiting community centres or op shops
Nature walks, parks, or wildlife centres with support

⚠️ Always Check First:

If you’re a support worker or extended family member, check in with parents, trustees, or guardians before starting something new, especially:
- Craft tools
- Hot surfaces
- Projects that involve money, mess, or public exposure (like Facebook groups or community programs)
A hobby meant to help can cause distress or risk if it’s the wrong fit.
When in doubt: start small, offer choice, and let the person lead

Hobbies aren’t just “nice to have.” They are part of identity, regulation, dignity, and joy. They help us feel in control of our time — and remind us that even when the world is overwhelming, we still get to choose what to create, touch, or enjoy today.

🎒 Preparing a “Go Bag”: Practical Steps for Peace of Mind

If you’re feeling anxious because of fires, floods, storms, or other emergencies, preparing a go bag can be a calming and empowering step. It means you’re ready if you need to leave quickly, which can reduce stress and help you feel more in control.

What to include in your go bag:

Important documents: ID, health cards, emergency contacts (printed or digital copy)
Medications: Enough for a few days, plus any supplies you use daily
Phone charger and power bank
A water bottle and some non-perishable snacks
Change of clothes: comfortable, weather-appropriate
Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, hand sanitiser
Comfort items: favourite small toy, photo, or sensory object
Money: some cash in small denominations
Face masks and sunscreen
List of important phone numbers and support contacts

Tips:

Pack your bag somewhere easy to grab
Check and update it every few months.
Share with your support team or family so they know where it is
Having a plan and a bag can reduce anxiety about emergencies

Preparing a go bag isn’t about fear — it’s about taking positive steps to care for yourself and your wellbeing.

🧳 Emotional and Practical Grounding Checklist

✅ Keep phones and chargers ready
✅ Know emergency contact numbers
✅ Practice calming techniques (tapping, breathing, sensory items)
✅ Keep a small “About Me” card or folder for emergencies
✅ Create or revisit your support plan with your team
✅ Schedule downtime or a quiet space if the world feels loud
✅ Take breaks from the news
✅ Learn how to ask for clarification when something sounds scary

🧭 Final Thoughts: You're Not Imagining It

The world is shifting. You’re feeling it. That doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you — it means you’re paying attention.

Let’s raise our expectations — not just for how we care for people with disabilities, but for how we listen to them, how we teach them, and how we help them respond to the world without fear.

You are allowed to feel this way.
You are allowed to ask questions.
You are allowed to seek calm, connection, and clarity.
You are allowed to act, to rest, to pray, or to be still.

You're not too much. You're just awake.

You Are Not Alone, and You Are Not Too Much

The world can feel overwhelming, but your feelings are real and worthy of respect. You don’t have to carry this alone, nor do you have to face it without tools and support.

Whether it’s through quiet moments in nature, creative hobbies, or small acts of community care, you have choices that help you stay grounded and connected.

Remember — your story is yours to share in your own time and on your own terms. And your support team should honour that.

If this post resonated with you, please consider sharing your thoughts or coping strategies in the comments below — we all learn best when we listen to each other.

For those who want more in-depth resources or tailored advice, I invite you to explore my Patreon, where we dive deeper into these topics with exclusive content and community support.