Staying informed and engaged with everything going on in the world can feel equally empowering and worrying – especially for young people. When it feels like the news introduces a fresh set of problems every day, how do we stay optimistic about the future?
To help you learn how to feel more optimistic about the future we’ve partnered with ReachOut, Australia’s most-accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents, to bring you advice on how to keep your chin up.
Whether you’re worried about the climate, the future of work, or the world in general, these 9 tips will help you find a more positive perspective.
Staying Optimistic About the Future of the Planet
State of the planet (and the government’s total lack of climate policy) got you feeling stressed? You might be experiencing ‘eco-anxiety’, a growing issue among young people who are rightly worried about how climate change will impact their future. It’s a struggle to remain positive while staying informed, but for smart young Aussies, ignoring the topic is not an option.
How can we stay optimistic about the future while engaging with environmental issues?
- Take action
Eco-anxiety is often driven by feeling that there’s nothing you can do to help. Doing something practical and productive will give you a sense of control, helping reduce feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.
Write a letter to your MP, switch an everyday item (like food containers or your favourite beauty product) for a sustainable alternative, or sign a petition. Even taking a small action can shift your mindset. - Reflect on environmental progress
Good climate news does exist! Next time you’re feeling bleak about the future of the planet, take a moment to research the incredible progress that has been achieved in the past ten years. For example: Australia continues to hit records for electricity generated by renewable power, or the 300,000 people who protested at the 2019 Climate Strike.
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and making time to reflect on our progress and growth is a great mental health tip in general. It gives us the resilience and optimism to keep fighting for change! - Talk to someone
It sounds simple, but sometimes just talking to someone you trust can really reduce stress about the climate (or anything, for that matter).
Talking helps us break down our worries; negative thoughts can feel really big and overwhelming inside your head, and saying things out loud helps put them in perspective. It will make you feel less alone, too.
Staying Optimistic About the Future of Work
The pandemic completely changed the way we think about work in both good and bad ways; in some ways, we were allowed more flexibility, yet in others, we had less stability. Young people were not only hit hardest by COVID-19 job losses in the short-term, but the disruption of entire industries, traditional offices, and career pipelines will affect them for years to come.
For those early-on in their career, it’s hard not to worry! When you feel like it’s impossible to be optimistic about your future, remind yourself of three facts:
- Don’t let your job define how you live
While feeling like a productive member of society is important for mental health, defining yourself by the work that you do isn’t healthy either.
No matter whether you’re unemployed, in your dream role, or stuck in a job you hate, developing interests and hobbies outside of work is crucial. Having strong relationships and personal interests will help develop the self-worth and resilience we’ll need to navigate the future highs and lows of life, work included. - People want to help you
There are lots of people in every industry who actually want to help young people find the right path. If you’re feeling stuck or confused by the changes affecting your desired industry, ask for guidance! Make a list of people whose work you admire, and email them to ask for advice – you’ll be surprised how many people are happy to help.
ReachOut also has a list of organisations dedicated to helping young Australians navigate the working world. - Uncertainty brings opportunity
15 years ago Instagram didn’t exist… Today, plenty of influencers have leveraged the platform into lucrative, full-time careers. We often associate change with fear; instead, shift your mindset to focus on the unknown opportunities.
There’s every chance that the most enjoyable and rewarding job for you doesn’t even exist yet… but it could soon!
Something else bugging you?
Learning the basics of gratitude, control, and connection will help you find an optimistic mindset no matter what’s worrying you. The future will always be uncertain – whenever you start to feel overwhelmed, ask yourself these three questions:
- Gratitude: What am I thankful for in my life right now?
- Control: What’s one thing I can control about this situation now?
- Connection: Who can give me some perspective on this?
ReachOut has free info, forums and online tools for whatever life throws at you. Their trusted self help information, peer-support and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well.
