The World Is A Bit Scary For Everyone Right Now, But Simple Acts Of Kindness Are The Fuel That Can Keep Our Communities Going

racool_studio - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
racool_studio - stock.adobe.com - illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer, Katharina Buczek.

When did the world start to feel scary for you? This is a subjective question based on your own definition of scary and whether or not you place more value on current events, personal circumstances, or some other factor.

So, while I cannot speak to everyone’s perception of fear in the world right now, I can discuss my own personal experiences. And for me, the world really “became scary” in 2020.

At the time, COVID-19 was running rampant, there was sociopolitical unrest all around me, and the one outlet that always offered structure was in disarray. I am talking about school.

For the first 20 years of my life, there was a developmental guideline, an inherent structure to my life that was no different from the kids around me.

In kindergarten, we learned to count, write some letters, and say the alphabet. By late elementary school and early middle school, my classmates and I were able to choose an instrument. I picked the violin.

Then, in high school, most discussions about the “future” seemed just like that– something that would happen in a timeline that was unimaginably far away from freshman or sophomore year.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, that future came barreling around the corner. Of course, I had dreams of what I wanted to pursue.

Still, though, asking an 18-year-old to set their goals in stone, cough up tens of thousands of dollars, and spend four years pursuing them without any real-world experience is a tough pill to swallow.

Nonetheless, I watched as friends I grew up with got accepted into colleges and universities across the country.

racool_studio – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person

I did, too, which felt like a massive achievement at the time, being that I am a first-generation college student.

But after moving away from home for a brief period of time, finishing my four-year degree, and finally getting to work in my dream field, the world still feels unbearably scary. Why?

On paper, I did everything “right.” I did what I was “supposed” to do. Shouldn’t that be enough? I have thought.

Unfortunately, that is just not the case. And that reality hit me right after graduation.

The truth is that no matter what you think you should do, and no matter how much you achieve, the world will always be a bit frightening– especially in your twenties.

Look at the state of our nation right now. Every single day, gruesome crimes and horrible accidents plaster news headlines.

Even as a journalist, I despise this reality, and I understand why so many people opt not to read the news now– despite it creating an internal conflict regarding my own industry.

On top of that, the economy is turbulent, the cost of living is ridiculous, and recent graduates are questioning how they will ever be able to move out, let alone get married and start a family.

So, faced with all of this uncertainty, a different yet simultaneously similar seed of fear and doubt is placed inside every single one of us.

While you may be fearful about your job security or how you are going to afford groceries this week, others are worried about sending their kids to school or how to keep up with high health insurance costs.

The point is that we are all scared in one way or another. And when we are scared, stress can take over and turn us into downright negative people.

Yes, we have all wallowed in self-pity before, and it can feel helpful to throw yourself a brief pity party from time to time. But, when we allow this stress to follow us around, we might notice ourselves becoming more impatient, short-tempered, or unappreciative of the small things in life.

Little do we realize, though, that these “small things” are what should be our fuel to keep going. The smile your bus driver gives you each morning or the guy who holds the door for you at the gym. The grocery clerk who helps you bag your groceries each Sunday, or the coffee shop employee who commits your daily order to memory.

These things are so small that, when overwrought with stress or anxiety, you may not even notice. But, if you make a mindful effort to look for the little things, you will find that they are abundant in our everyday life.

And honestly, we need more of them. These tiny acts of kindness speak to our inherent human nature.

We want to connect; we want to help each other and make others’ lives easier. But sometimes, our day-to-day responsibilities just feel like “too much,” or we are “too busy” to give back to our communities.

So, if you can relate, then start making a conscious effort to be a tiny part of the good. Recognize that while the overall state of our world might be frightening and uncertain, every single person has the ability to start shaping their own local community.

Be that person who sends a “check-up” text to a friend or that neighbor who strikes up a simple conversation.

Lend a helping hand to an older person at the grocery store or merely smile and say hello to a coworker to brighten their day.

These acts of kindness are easy and free. They will also add up. Think of how many people’s days you can make a bit better just by being intentional at least once every day. Then, consider how many acts of kindness potentially your whole community could generate.

Plus, you will find that you not only made someone else feel better, but you feel great afterward, too.

Creating this sense of connection even helps ground you and those around you, providing a bubble of protection based on human care that essentially no bad news could ever rupture.

Throughout history, the greatest way all animals have overcome challenges and adversity is by working together. Us humans, young or old, are no different. So, by simply choosing kindness, you can help make the world a bit less scary for everyone.

If true crime defines your free time, this is for you: join Chip Chick’s True Crime Tribe

In 1985, This Missouri Teen Vanished After Leaving Her Friend’s House One Evening: Then, Years Later, Her Mother Began Receiving Threatening Calls Demanding Money In Exchange For Her Daughter

His Brother And Sister-In-Law Started Trashing Him And His Wife’s Work Ethic, So He Shut Them Down By “Reminding” Them About How Much Money He Makes

A Guy Asked Her Out And She Turned Him Down, But After Her Friend Said He Had Money, She Agreed To Let Him Take Her Out For Dinner Because She Likes That He’s Rich

He Allowed His Girlfriend’s Brother To Move In After Getting Laid Off, But He Refused To Get Rid Of His Dog Because Of Her Brother’s Allergies And Got Accused Of Choosing A Pet Over His Family

Researchers From Japan Discovered That The Juice Of This Fruit May Inhibit Lung Cancer In Mice

He Bought His 17-Year-Old Daughter A Locked Bin After Some Of Their Family Members Wouldn’t Stop Helping Themselves To The Snacks She Bought With Her Own Money

Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.

Katharina Buczek graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Digital Arts. Specializing ... More about Katharina Buczek

More About: