The Stuck Feeling:

Depression and Momentum

The world is heavy right now. It feels like every step forward we take, there are two more pulling us back.

I see so many people just walking around like nothing's happening. Like there aren't genocides unfolding across the world.

It's business as usual for them, and seeing that really gets me down. A lot of these folks are people I've had a lot of respect for in the past. Now I'm wondering what was so great about them, because how are you okay? How are you just carrying on?

Depression is like walking through thick mud. It's draining your energy, clouding your thinking, making hope feel distant, and making simple tasks feel impossible. Depression slams on the brakes of forward momentum. For European Americans experiencing this, it's already a tough, personal battle.

Now, layer on white supremacy. It's so much deeper than hate groups. It's the deep-rooted system and beliefs that falsely put European Americans above others. It poisons everything, including the minds of those it elevates. Here's how it tangles with depression.

Facing the reality of white supremacy and one's own place within it can be deeply uncomfortable, even terrifying. Depression might amplify the urge to numb out, deny, or avoid this painful truth. But avoidance keeps you stuck IN the system and stuck IN the pain.

White supremacy often thrives on isolation. Separating people from different backgrounds and silencing honest conversations. Depression also isolates. This double isolation cuts you off from the genuine connections and diverse perspectives that are crucial for both healing from depression and challenging internalized supremacy.

Learning about the harms of white supremacy can trigger intense guilt or shame. If depression is already present, these feelings can become overwhelming, leading to paralysis. You might think, "It's too big; I'm part of the problem. What can I possibly do?" This feeling of helplessness kills momentum.

Basing identity on false superiority is shaky ground. When that illusion cracks (as it must for healing), it can leave a void, contributing to existential dread and depression. Who am I if not "better than"? Grappling with that question IS painful, but necessary.

Maintaining denial, justifying the status quo, or simply benefiting from an unfair system without acknowledging it takes psychic energy. That's energy drained away from personal growth, joy, and forward motion in life that someone with depression needs desperately.

Getting unstuck means addressing both the depression and the harmful beliefs or complacency around white supremacy. It's intertwined work. Here’s some direction, offered with love.

Tend to your mental health FIRST! This is non-negotiable. You can't dismantle systems effectively if you're drowning. Please:

• Seek Professional Help: Talk to a doctor or therapist. Depression is an illness, and treatment (therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes) works. Find a therapist experienced in social justice issues if possible. They'll understand these layers.

• Radical Self-Compassion: Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend in pain. Healing takes time. Depression isn't a moral failing. Show yourself the love you want to receive.

Educate yourself gently but honestly. Start learning about white supremacy, systemic racism, and privilege from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color voices. Read books and articles and listen to podcasts. Don't rush. Allow yourself to feel the discomfort. It's a sign of growth, not a sign you're bad. The goal is understanding, not self-flagellation.

Build authentic community. Break the isolation. Connect with other European Americans who are also on this journey of unlearning and anti-racism. Crucially, build respectful relationships across racial lines based on equality and listening. Real connection is healing for depression and essential for dismantling supremacy.

Focus on action, not perfection. You WILL make mistakes. That's okay. Don't let perfectionism paralysis stop the forward momentum. "Getting it perfect" is another trap. Start small:

• Challenge Biases: Notice your assumptions. Question stereotypes in your mind or in conversation (gently, firmly).

• Speak Up: When it's safe and appropriate, challenge racist jokes, comments, or policies in your circles. Use your voice. (European Americans should be correcting each other, not other communities.)

• Support BIPOC-Led Work: Listen to what BIPOC communities say they need. Donate (if you can), amplify their voices, and support their businesses and organizations. Follow their lead.

Embrace humility and accountability by accepting that you've been shaped by a racist system. You didn't choose it, but you CAN choose how you respond now. Be open to feedback. Apologize sincerely when you mess up. Learn. Keep going!

Find meaning in liberation. Real talk, working against white supremacy isn't just "helping others." It's about freeing yourself from a toxic, dehumanizing system. It's about building a world based on justice and genuine connection, which is better for everyone. That's a powerful source of meaning and forward momentum. Your healing and the healing of the world are connected.

This is hard work. Really hard. Facing depression is hard. Facing uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our society is hard. Doing both at once takes immense strength. There will be days you feel overwhelmed. That's okay. Breathe. Be kind to yourself. Remember why you started.

You want to talk about this. You want to find solutions. You want to move forward. That's huge. It's a spark. Nurture that spark. Tend to your health. Reach out for support. Take one small step at a time. Progress isn't always linear. Choosing honesty, connection, and action is choosing life. For your own sake, for the sake of a more just and loving world…move out of the stuck place. You are capable of healing. Keep going! You're not alone.

#joinEAGER