Every child, youth and adult expect to go out there and get back home in great shape and rest from the harsh world. The world is a large space where everyone is trying to get a personal space, to breath fresh air and make a life.

This world sometimes is a beautiful place while other times its unkind. There are many situations that can swallow a person. Worldly pleasures that offer quick fix joys but open doors to a lifetime suffering, regrets, and buried dreams are evident. Many accidents might happen in a fraction of a minute and people are injured and others might lose their lives. Imagine a scenario where a vibrant youth or adult was picked by a peer for a party, a retreat, or sleep-over on a Friday night is no more. Incidents such as sexual assaults, being drugged, mugged, robbed, etc. are one-time events that could leave a person devastated, helpless or traumatized. Other people might face relationship challenges with resultants of separation and divorce. The world is unkind for real.

What does the crocodile image mean to you?

When a crocodile is hungry, the prey can be anything that comes along. The mouth wide open and the sharp teeth ready to bite and grip. This is how the unkind world can be sometimes.

Results of unkind world include….

1. Negative feelings like sadness, frustrations, disappointment.
2. Anger, resentments and unforgiveness
3. Hatred
4. Vengeful spirit
5. Self-blame and self-pity
6. Withdrawal
7. Loneliness
8. Low productivity and being stuck

Note that if these negative emotions are left unresolved may lead to stress and distress, emotional exhaustion and burnout, and can easily spiral to a depression.

Life dilemmas are real. Keep the focus

Dr. Jane Nyutu PhD.

Way forward:

1. Accept that the world might be unkind.
2. Forgive yourself and the perpetrators.
3. Don’t give up on life.
4. Positive affirmations such as telling yourself that “life must go on”.
5. Become more self-aware.
6. Don’t allow the world to dictate how you feel.
7. Deal with unfinished business and negative emotions like feelings of loss and grief: anger, resentment, blame, and shame.
8. Seek social support from trusted family and friends.
9. Seek counseling help.

Negotiate through the unkind world by cultivating:

• Hardiness
• Perseverance
• Self-motivation
• Resilience
• Optimism
• High productivity among others.

The Author Dr. Jane Nyutu PhD. is a counselling psychologist, the founding Director and lead advisor at Mind & Beyond Counselling Centre.

For Counseling Services Contact us:

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