How we can resist despair and keep creating even in turbulent times

“This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.“ - Toni MorrisonActor and writer Amber Tamblyn reads comments by journalist Rebecca Solnit, followed by Solnit talking about activism for social change and not giving up.Psychologist Melanie Joy talks about how distressing media and events can be for highly sensitive people, and how our intense emotions can turn us away from things we desire to change in the world....In the audio: writer, director, actor Amber Tamblyn reading the words of Rebecca Solnit, from video by Tamblyn. Solnit: "They want you to feel powerless and surrender and let them trample everything and you are not going to let them. You are not giving up, and neither am I. The fact that we cannot save everything does not mean we cannot save anything and everything we can save is worth saving.You may need to grieve or scream or take time off, but you have a role no matter what, and right now good friends and good principles are worth gathering in. Remember what you love. Remember what loves you. Remember in this tide of hate what love is."Read more and see link to video in Substack post of Amber Tamblyn: Time to Make Peace with the Fight - A little love letter from me to your shattering, post election. Nov 06, 2024. Audio of Rebecca Solnit is from Climate One video interview with Ariana Brocious....Audio: Toni Morrison, from Instagram reel by Shonda Rhimes.Toni Morrison wrote “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.“ - From post No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear: Toni Morrison on the Artist’s Task in Troubled Times By Maria Popova.“This is the only real concern of the artist, to recreate out of the disorder of life that order which is art.” — James Baldwin(From Medium post "Adversity is the Key to Evolution for Writers: James Baldwin’s Wisdom for Surviving Chaos: By Gabriella H.) ...Dr Melanie Joy is "a Harvard-educated psychologist specializing in relationships, communication, and the psychology of social change."Her segment in this Creative Mind Audio is an excerpt from the episode “How to Stay Emotionally and Psychologically Safe in the Midst of Distressing Media with Dr Melanie Joy” of the HSP and Neurodivergent Podcast on the Sensitive Empowerment site of Julie Bjelland, LMFT - where you can find many more of her articles, books, courses, Sensitive Community and other resources.Video excerpt from the podcast:» Learn about Courses for Sensitive and Neurodivergent People by therapist Julie Bjelland, LMFT, including "Brain-Training Techniques to Reduce Anxiety & Overwhelming Emotions."⏩ Free class by therapist Julie Bjelland: High Sensitivity and Anxiety. "Why is anxiety so high in highly sensitive people? We will explore this, learn about the trait of high sensitivity and how it might make us more susceptible, and share tools and resources that will help you reduce anxiety naturally and thrive."~~~~Dr Melanie Joy comments: "And it's also those of us who are most sensitive who are in some ways most likely to turn away because it's so painful for us. We're more easily dysregulated."What is nervous system dysregulation?Dr Cathleen King, DPT, is a "doctor of physical therapy who teaches neuroscience principles, and is a mind-body practitioner." She writes:"Ever feel like your body and mind are constantly on edge, even when there’s no clear reason? “Maybe you find yourself tense, restless, or easily overwhelmed, or perhaps you’re dealing with physical symptoms th