13 Comments
Feb 20, 2022Liked by Kathleen Sullivan

Kathleen, thank you for saying what I am struggling to put into words. I will initiate a talk with a friend this week. Anything is better than doing nothing and just watching the runaway freight train bearing down on us.

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Feb 13, 2022Liked by Kathleen Sullivan

Thank you Kathleen for another great Sunday essay. Your writing delights me and leaves me feeling changed for the better. I must admit that when I read about Dr. Doherty in the Times last week, I thought “how nice that a therapist is helping people with environmental anxiety.” You reoriented my brain to the role of Agency. Do corporations bear the brunt of responsibility? Of course. But individuals have agency too, and if they work that muscle—like you do—they might make a difference and lessen their feelings of helplessness and lack of control.

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Feb 13, 2022Liked by Kathleen Sullivan

Perfect ending. Empowering last line!!

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Hi, new mom here. I’m in a similar situation as the other new mom, but my reaction and thoughts to your post may surprise you.

We worked to be as green about my pregnancy as we could. Inherited all of the baby stuff, often against advice and at worse, accompanied by judgement. Our hand-me-down car seat is expired and many of our baby clothes have poop stains from other babies (not sure why it never comes out in the wash..?)

We tried so hard to be as climate-conscious as possible, that I have been quite burnt out in my quest to solve this enormous problem myself. I refuse to beat myself up over not being able to take on cloth diapers right now (we’ll see for future!). Every waking moment of my life so far is caring for this child, and I literally do not have one additional second for the extra laundry.

I am attempting to do my part every day, and if some well-meaning climate warrior wants to lecture me about the diapers at the moment, I will literally just cry. My point being that many of us are *too hard on ourselves, especially since it’s absolutely the case that being assuaged by platitudes like the therapist in the NYTimes is doing is silly. Burn out is real and I don’t know why activist circles seem to omit talking about it.

I realize how bad my daughter’s future may be, and I am already taking action that is draining and challenging to help her. I have not had a lot of sympathy from some people who also claim to be climate conscious - on the contrary, some activists don’t think I should have had her at all. :(

I seek climate companions who are kind, first and foremost. Kindness has been a little short in my life lately, and it’s very hard on top of postpartum depression. I hope you’re able to channel kindness towards all the moms out there worried on this topic.

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Action for climate crisis is good, very good. I am encouraging people to take on greenjobs and to make their career a climate career. I believe that making a commitment to your planet in the form of a career or profession is a great way of harnessing your anxiety for making the best days we can from the problems we have. Nicely said Kathleen, and I think there is room for therapy that helps people get up in the morning and go into the throat of monster as fully functioning as possible!

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Great essay Kathleen. Agency is the key, for by doing what we can with similarly concerned others we can work on effecting change and in turn cope with our anxiety about climate. Also, my sweetie and I have joined together to forgo roses this year for Vday, even though I do feel concerned about the rose growers in Columbia SA. No easy answers and there are always trade offs.

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YES YES YES! This piece demonstrates that right-headed good writing can be as attractive and arousing a force as good sex. Thank you.

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Kathleen, this is an outstanding article, which should be shared widely. (I will do my part.) You have addressed and solved one of the fundamental challenges of collective action: How can I, a small drop in the ocean of humanity, help when it takes the actions of all of us to make a real difference? Your answer: Gather others around you and take action together. The wise words of two other smart people come to mind. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead. And "If not now, when?" Hillel the Elder. I would add: If not me, who?

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