Coping with Tragedies like Las Vegas

Coping with what happened in Las Vegas is going to take some time. It’s a tragedy that some of us can’t just go on like everything is okay.

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m sad and hurt for the people that this has affected.

Twitter was where I found out what was going on. From there, I knew that things would change how my work day was going to be because I work with brands and we don’t ever want to come off insensitive when people are hurting.

I read and read as much as I could as I got ready. A lot of me couldn’t believe this was happening again because I like to think of the good in people and that they wouldn’t do this. It’s not naïve or silly, really. I guess I just expect the good in people to prevail.

I watched recordings and the news reports. How dare people lose their lives as they are having fun and enjoying themselves. It just blows my mind. It makes it seem like nothing is safe in the world like we can’t enjoy anything without having to look over our backs.

School, movies, nightclub, malls — these are all places that senseless tragedies have occurred.

It’s not fair. It’s not fair to loved ones, it’s not fair to anyone who is fearful that that might be gunned down while enjoying themselves. No one is even giving a thought that something like that could happen when they get lost in the moment. I don’t want to push politics but I do believe that gun control is needed — guns don’t need to be taken but we need to be more secure with the types of weapons that are sold to people and background checks.

Everyone that has had their life taken from them due to gun violence didn’t deserve it and It’s up to us to help their loved ones get some kind of justice. We can’t keep pushing the conversation which is why you can text RESIST to 50409 and send a letter to your representatives like I did.

It can be very easy to lose yourself in all that is going on when tragic events happen but we have to figure out different ways to cope and how to stay sane throughout it all.

Don’t be hateful

Let’s not fight hate with hate because it doesn’t do anything. Obviously, we can’t control other people and their actions but we can control our own. When you are hit with hateful rhetoric, don’t let them steal your peace. Don’t let them affect you because love wins in the end. They can be hateful all they want but that hate is going to eat them alive. Give love. We need so much more love and kindness in the world. If you see someone struggling, a few words of encouragement could make their day. Just step out of your zone and be a good person.

Tell your loved ones ‘I love you’

Out of all the things in the world, tell your loved ones that you love them and appreciate them. You’re lucky to see them another day and should be grateful for such a blessing. You don’t have to be gushy or all about your feelings but letting your loved ones know they are appreciated and they are you glad they are in your life is a great way to feel better. Give them a hug and let them know you’re glad they’re around.

Practice self-care

In times like this, it can be helpful to do something rather than flip through all the news. The news can be depressing and it can get to you. Don’t be afraid or stubborn enough to not walk away and do something for yourself. It can be as simple as going to the yoga class you were going to skip tonight or taking your dog on a long, peaceful walk. Find ways to get your mind off the bad and give yourself a peace of mind when things like this are happening. Going back to mental health and your sanity, you need to make sure that you take care of yourself. Honor yourself by knowing when to take a step back and breathe. Take care of your needs and stay focused.

Cut off the news

It’s hard, it’s truly hard to remove yourself from knowing what is happening but sometimes you need to. Take a step back and shut down your way to these news sites and social media. Just take an hour so you can recover and not get overwhelmed. What is happening is scary and it can mess with your mental health. Please don’t compromise your health by trying to know it all at once and diving into it. Think about your mindset and what you need to do to get away from triggers. Walk away for an hour.

Right now, we need to cope. We need to find solutions. And, we need to heal.

If you’re in Vegas or know someone that was affected, I’m sending good vibes and prayers your way. If you have a donation link, please feel free to leave it in the comments!

We shouldn’t have to live in fear and we shouldn’t. Don’t let something like this hold you back from an event, don’t let it ruin your life. Remember that you have a say in what happens in this country and you have the ability to vote, write letters, and make calls — don’t ever think that you can’t change anything. If you have the courage to take action, do it. If this infuriates you or makes you sad, find a way to take action.

Tragic events can be triggering so please, take care of yourself. Don’t try to make sense of the violence, it happened and now is the time to move forward and figure out ways to impact the future.