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Our Future's apathy is a choice

Why you're failing the world.

By DoblalovaPublished 4 months ago 3 min read

My first article, my first idea, my first debate—I hope. Where are we going? What are the intentions of this society? Is it building its own future? These are questions that some might find trivial and fruitless, but they're ones I ask myself every day as soon as I open my eyes. That's because the future isn't some distant time; it's tomorrow. And I'll live in that tomorrow, just like you.

How do we face all this? We live on hope, but also on action. The simplest action is to take care of not just our own backyard, but also what's next to us: the world. It would be enough to start with small things: don't throw things into the sea or on the ground, use as little plastic as possible, recycle...

Our commitment is worth more than anything: never let anyone convince you otherwise. So, let's make a commitment, even with a simple, trivial, obvious gesture that improves our lives and the lives of others. Because whether we like it or not, we are all connected to one another—and I'm not talking about the world wide web... The good we do is our own good.

Understanding the psychological forces at play can help us better navigate the challenges we face in building a better tomorrow. Often, the weight of global problems feels overwhelming, and this can trigger a sense of helplessness or apathy. Psychologists call this phenomenon "learned helplessness," where repeated exposure to situations beyond our control leads us to believe that our actions don’t matter. But the truth is quite the opposite: every small step we take creates ripples that extend far beyond what we immediately see.

Our minds are wired to seek meaning and connection. When we engage in acts of kindness, sustainability, or community care, we not only improve the external world but also nurture our inner well-being. This is because helping others activates areas of the brain associated with reward and satisfaction. In other words, doing good feels good — and that feeling motivates us to continue.

Yet, motivation alone isn’t always enough. Fear, doubt, and the skepticism born from witnessing systemic failures can cloud our judgment and weaken our resolve. It’s important to recognize these feelings not as signs of weakness, but as natural responses that call for compassion towards ourselves and others. By acknowledging these emotions, we can consciously choose to rise above them, fueled by hope and the belief in our collective power.

Community plays a crucial role here. When we unite around shared values and goals, our individual efforts become part of a larger, more powerful movement. The sense of belonging and mutual support strengthens our resilience, making it easier to sustain positive change even in the face of setbacks.

Moreover, embracing responsibility doesn’t mean carrying the burden alone. It means being mindful of how our choices impact others and the environment, and encouraging those around us to do the same. It means recognizing that while we cannot control every outcome, we can control our intentions and actions. This mindset transforms despair into empowerment.

So, when you wake up tomorrow and wonder about the future, remind yourself that you are an active participant in shaping it. Your choices, no matter how small, are threads in the vast fabric of humanity’s story. By weaving them with care, purpose, and hope, you contribute to a tapestry that reflects the best of who we can be.

Believe in what you do, in yourselves; believe that your actions can change the course of events, improve your life and the lives of those around you. Because it's true. It's real. It's not something that just stays written on paper or floats in the air.

Be responsible in what you do, for yourselves and for others. Everyone chooses their own path, their own way, their own goals. And above all, how to pursue them. But in the unity of purpose there is power and truth.

Sometimes it's truly discouraging to confront the general apathy, the boredom. And it's in those moments that I personally fear for the future of humanity. Soulless automatons. Faceless and heartless zombies. But I have faith. I have faith that all of this will one day be just a bad dream that we'll leave behind!

Some of you will say all this is useless because even if we all did our part, the act of recycling, for example, isn't yet that effective on the part of those who are supposed to do it. And in some cases, that's true, but it's above all a matter of conscience as well as commitment. What are you doing to improve your life and the lives of others? Let me know in the comments!

AdvocacyHumanitySustainabilityNature

About the Creator

Doblalova

It's me, hi I'm the problem it's me...

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