On My Mind: RBG, Surge Capacity, and Play as an Energy Source
Sep 23, 2020
32:45
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Delve into the reflective power of dissent while remembering RBG and her legacy. Discover how emotional exhaustion from crises impacts our surge capacity. Learn how unstructured time fosters connection and revitalizes energy through play. The discussion encourages balancing activism with self-care, finding joy during challenging moments. Personal anecdotes highlight the struggles of parenting amid grief and the therapeutic nature of creativity.
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Quick takeaways
The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg amplifies shared grief and anxiety, highlighting the importance of voicing vulnerable feelings amidst collective struggles.
Recognizing depleted surge capacity during prolonged crises underscores the need for purposeful play to foster joy and strengthen emotional resilience.
Deep dives
The Weight of Grief and Anxiety
The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg weighs heavily on many hearts, blending feelings of grief with anxiety over the implications for democracy. This dual struggle mirrors a universal experience where personal loss intertwines with broader societal concerns. The recognition of shared emotional experiences—whether it’s pain from personal loss or collective worry—juxtaposes the isolation that can accompany such feelings. This shared vulnerability emphasizes the importance of being open about one's thoughts, as many may feel the same but lack the courage to voice it.
Understanding Surge Capacity in Unprecedented Times
The concept of surge capacity highlights how individuals draw upon their mental and physical resilience in times of acute stress, such as during disasters, but is becoming increasingly depleted in the prolonged crisis of a pandemic. Acknowledging this depletion is the first step to combating feelings of despair and recognizing normal feelings of anxiety and fatigue. The ongoing nature of the crisis often makes the invisible struggles even harder to articulate compared to more visible disasters. By sharing insights from experts on ambiguous loss, the narrative encourages individuals to embrace their feelings and normalize their experiences within the context of this drawn-out crisis.
Renewing Energy Through Play
Rediscovering the importance of play can be a vital antidote to feelings of despair and stagnation. Engaging in activities without a defined purpose allows for liberation and joy, shifting focus away from pressure and creating recovery moments amidst chaos. The process of identifying shared family activities that evoke play fosters stronger bonds and restores energy levels, illustrating that cultivating joy is essential for emotional resilience. Ultimately, this highlights that while the world may seem daunting, taking time for joy is not only possible but necessary to sustain the fight for causes that matter.
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the power of dissent, what happens when we max out our surge capacity during a crisis, and how time spent without purpose can refuel and reconnect us.