Celebrating Our Earth: Where You Fit in!

Written by: Dortch Mann, LCMHC

Since 1970, April 22 has been celebrated as Earth Day. This year’s theme is “Our Power, Our Planet.” EarthDay.org recognizes that “real environmental progress has always come from collective action.” Collective action leads to collective change.

You may be asking, “Yeah, but where do I fit in? How could I make a difference?” Actually, there are three broad categories of options for contributing to collective change and you can take your pick!

Option One:

Assert your personal power; claim your autonomy! You can tap into your unique talents, skills, and interests and pursue excellence in your craft, then present it as your gift to the “cause”. Becoming that “bigger, better” person you’re meant to be (in therapy-speak it’s “individuation”) and bestowing that upon others converts “my” power into “our” power for our planet.

Option Two:

Group hug! Belonging boosts your power! Find others who share your interests and partner up with them in pursuit of interconnected goals and outcomes. We’re meant to be with others and we’re “stronger together.” Not only stronger, but as Robin Wall Kimmerer teaches, “all flourishing is mutual.”

Option Three:

Answer the Call! Pursue a cause greater than yourself (in therapy-speak that’s “generativity”). There’s a great sense of empowerment that comes from making things better for others. Thinking about becoming a “good ancestor,” by leaving the planet better for future generations, instills motivation and momentum so you can “keep on keeping on” (like my mom says).

The key to all of this is getting clear about your values, then putting your values into action. Actions Catalyze Change. And for those of us worrying about the state of the world (and who isn’t?), Action Absorbs Anxiety.

Here’s to us asserting Our Power, for Our Planet! See you at an Earth Day event!

Did you know Dortch Mann, LCMHC is a Climate-Aware Therapist? This means he is equipped to support, validate, and guide clients through their various feelings towards climate change. He is trained to help you navigate existential, societal and personal impacts of climate change, including climate grief and anxiety. Climate-aware therapy focuses on reducing feelings of alienation, providing coping skills for living with climate change, and addressing burnout for climate activists.

Are you in need of a climate-aware therapist? Reach out to schedule an appointment with Dortch!