By GSU staff rep Donna Driediger

So many people are struggling these days. Post-COVID, many of us are still trying to remember or find what brings us joy.

The world has changed over the past 2.5 years. Things slowed down with the lock down and that shook many of us into new thought patterns. Parents who weren’t teachers before COVID were suddenly responsible for home-schooling. We weren’t chefs but were eating at home, sourcing COVID cookbooks and heading-up pioneer bread-making marathons during a yeast shortage. We started to think maybe this was the slow down we needed to put us in touch with what was important, but depression and anxiety rates are through the roof. Why?

As we try to regain our new normal the world is continuing to erupt around us. Wars, school shootings, convoys, abortion rights make it easy to feel doomed and like some of our politicians, media outlets and law makers are contributing to our feelings of frustration and being sidelined.

When we are scared, depressed, and fearful we are more easily manipulated. You can take back control.

As someone who struggles with depression, I encourage you to change your algorithm in your Facebook, TikTok, Twitter feeds and try to actively search out happy stories. Listen to upbeat music, turn off the news when it becomes too much and spend some time in nature. It doesn’t make everything go away, but it helps.

The services of Donna Driediger and our other staff representatives are provided to you as part of your union dues and there is never an additional charge for assisting you. Contact your GSU staff rep for assistance.