According to a National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2019 by the CDC, adults aged 18-29 were more likely than any other age group to experience symptoms of depression.
With 75% of students in college being between 18 and 24, according to the National Center for Education, depression may be a bigger issue within the halls of Kirkwood Community College than an initial glance may present, especially considering the seemingly uncontrollable fears that plague most Americans about their futures in recent times.
When the hard times hit, it often feels impossible to do anything else but let it drag you into a pit of hopelessness and despair. The only thing we can do amidst these fears is to persevere. It’s something you’re doing right now––whether you’re conscious of it or not.
Perseverance may just be the most powerful tool you have: so next time you feel yourself falling, choose instead to take action, make powerful choices, and liberate yourself.
More and more young Americans are facing fears towards their futures, which seem ultimately out of their control. According to Medical News Today, a survey found that 75% of young people are frightened for their future due to the lack or slow response from global leaders on addressing climate change.
A survey conducted by American Psychological Association in 2022 found that 64% of Americans feel that their rights are under attack, and 70% of adult Americans do not believe their government cares about them. Additionally, the 2023 Chapman University Survey of American fears ranked economic instability as one of the top five fears instilled in Americans today.
It can feel pointless to the average American: these onslaught of fears that feel completely out of our control and endless, especially fears about our future. And while we can’t always control what our government says and does or the price of eggs, there’s one thing you can always control: your response to a situation.
Don’t ignore your emotions. It’s human to feel upset, so let yourself feel what emotions you need to feel. Take time to recharge and process your emotions. It’s when you’re dwelling on them that you’re limiting yourself.
Processing your emotions is the first step to self-liberation and taking action, but dwelling is your demise. Your emotions should power your decisions and choices, not stop them.
Focus on controllable solutions within your reach and cultivate a powerful, positive mindset. Whether you’re making small steps or setting small achievable goals is no matter; the art of perseverance may feel like a steep hill, but a small step is greater than no step. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s from friends or family or even professionals. Do something that makes you feel good; albeit small, you can break the cycle from the previous day. Remain faithful for what you have and the sacrifices you’ve made previously along the way to get where you are today. And most importantly, love yourself because even if you feel like no one’s in your corner, you’ll always have yourself.
Taking action can come in many forms, whether it’s expressing yourself through your passions, speaking out or protesting. Maybe it’s ridding yourself of toxic people in your life or something as small as allowing yourself a day off. Even just getting out of bed in the morning is still a forward step.
Whatever action you take, ensure it is an action that is a step forward rather than a step backward. True perseverance is the ability to take action and persist when the inevitable hard times hit, and come out stronger than before. Your strength will fuel your future, so rise above.
Categories: Opinion, Staff Editorials
