When The World Feels Unbearably Heavy
I’ve been sitting with a heaviness this week that I know many women are feeling too.
As more information comes out in the Epstein files, my sense of anger, alongside a feeling of helplessness, has grown. Especially as it feels increasingly unlikely that many, if any, of the men involved will be held accountable. That reality is hard to sit with. Like many women I feel unsure what to do with that anger and helplessness.
But I do know this:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, furious, numb, exhausted, or all of it at once - that is a very normal human response to what’s unfolding. Many women are holding these emotions right now, especially as the information keeps coming and the sense of injustice deepens.
What can we do with these feelings?
One of the most important things we can do is allow ourselves time to process what’s coming up. These emotions are signals - they tell us something matters deeply.
At the same time, it’s essential to protect our nervous systems.
There is a point where constant exposure takes us from “being informed” into overwhelm. Putting your phone down. Stopping the scroll. Stepping outside. Taking a few deep breaths. Spending time in nature. Doing something that brings your body back to a sense of safety and steadiness - this isn’t avoidance, it’s care.
What actions can we take?
For me, taking small, values-aligned actions has also helped restore a sense of agency. I’ve unfollowed various podcasts and social media platforms of the people who’ve been involved. I’ve stopped supporting influencers with large platforms who have stayed silent as I don’t believe silence is possible anymore. I’ve also started cancelling subscriptions and withdrawing support from businesses that have funded or continue to support people who are named in the files.
These aren’t grand gestures. But they are ways of saying this matters. What this moment has also clarified for me is how deeply important my work feels right now.
Supporting women to feel strong - physically, mentally, emotionally - isn’t optional. It’s essential. We’ve been dealt a tough hand, and navigating what’s happening in the world requires resilience, clarity, and strength on every level.
We need strength to speak up if there is inequality or disrespect within our families and households. We need strength to hold boundaries with our family, friends and communities if necessary. We need strength to stay connected to ourselves when things feel frightening or unfair. And strength to be visible, grounded role models for our daughters and the generations of women coming after us.
That’s where I’m choosing to put my energy. Continuing to create spaces for women to come together - to learn, to feel supported, and to build strength in ways that are sustainable and real. I’m not going to pretend it’s easy doing this, because at times it feels hard. And sometimes, I do stop and wonder if it is worth it. But I’ve seen the magic that happens when women come together and support each other. And this week, has cemented for me that it is not just worth it - it’s imperative to continue this.