Monthly Musings: When Everything Is Too Much

Monthly Musings is our creative corner where the Akin team opens their notebook of inspirations, reflections, and fresh perspectives each month. From emerging trends to personal discoveries, we share the ideas that caught our attention and sparked our imagination. Whether you're seeking creative fuel or curious about what's inspiring fellow creatives, join us as we unpack the month that was.

We are in an era of information overload.

Breaking news at every turn, deep dives into catastrophes around each corner, and for many of us, valid fears about what's next. On one hand, you want to stay informed, but on the other, there's just so much to keep up with. It's overwhelming and somewhat maddening.

So what can you do? Find joy anyway.

Before you roll your eyes, hear me out! Finding joy doesn't mean ignoring the harsh realities around us or burying your head in the sand. It's about acknowledging that yes, the world can be challenging and unpredictable, but we still have to live in it. We can accept difficult circumstances while refusing to let them completely dictate how we experience our lives. Finding joy is an act of resistance—a conscious choice to embrace living fully amid heaviness.

Finding joy also doesn't have to be an elaborate event! It doesn’t mean you should tune out of important issues; it can be as simple as just streamlining alerts on your apps. Let’s face it, you don’t need 20 breaking stories every day! Here’s some things you can do:

Revisit a fun show that puts your mind at ease (I highly recommend The Golden Girls).

Read that book collecting dust on your shelf (calling myself out with this one).

Jump into an audiobook of a genre you haven't explored before or

Tap into an old hobby or something creative (shameless plug loading).

The balance lies in being informed enough to act meaningfully while protected enough to maintain your well-being. Because the truth is, you'll be a more effective force for positive change when you're not completely depleted by constant exposure to distressing information.

One of the foundational beliefs of Akin is that joy is easy to find if you know where to look. We've done the legwork of wading through endless Google searches to help you unplug, have fun, try something new, or revisit something old. And most importantly, find your joy.

Joyfully,

Sandra

Volunteer, Friend, and Golden Girls Enthusiast at Akin