5 classic ea messages for when you're feeling overwhelmed by guilt

it's time to get inspired

1 guilt is not the goal

paralyzing, directionless guilt isn’t helping the world or you. the world needs your earnest desire to help others, not for you to work until you’re falling over from exhaustion (and definitely not for you to compulsively tweet in order to escape the guilt that you should be doing something more). you can find meaning and motivation apart from guilt!

canonical post: Replacing Guilt

2 we are in triage

we are surrounded by pressing and important problems. you can’t help with them all; it’s physically impossible. we prioritize as an act of compassion towards other and ourselves.

canonical post: We are in triage every second of every day

3 you want more than one thing - that’s good!

you want to make a difference, you want loving meaningful friendships, you want to express yourself creatively - good! that’s how it should be. on monday mornings you might be working towards doing more good in the world and having a positive impact, and on saturday night you might be dancing with your friends. like Julia says, “You don’t have to argue that your choice is the best way of improving the world if that isn’t actually the goal.”

canonical posts: You have more than one goal and that’s fine, Hannah Boettcher on the mental health challenges that come with trying to have a big impact

4 things are getting better

only a few generations ago, half of all children died before they reached puberty. now it’s less than 1 in 20 globally. poverty rates around the world have fallen fast over the last century. we eradicated smallpox!

canonical posts: The world is awful. The world is much better. The world can be much better., 500 Million, But Not One Single One More

5 you can help

top charities can save a life for $3500-$5500. reducing animal suffering or preventing future harms can be even more cost effective. if you’re reading this, you can make a difference. and if you’re part of the ea community, you’re part of a community that’s already making a difference.

canonical posts: Cost-Effectiveness, EA and the Current Funding Situation (subsection: An Incredible Opportunity)