I Care About Palestine, But the Constant Reminders Are Overwhelming
Photo by Mahmoud Sulaiman on Unsplash
The Burden of Constant Reminders
A Personal Reflection on Palestinian Suffering
In recent years, the Palestinian struggle has been thrust into the global spotlight, with daily reminders flooding social media and news outlets.
The heartbreaking images, stories, and statistics about the suffering of the Palestinian people are hard to ignore.
We’ve all seen the images of destruction, heard the accounts of loss, and witnessed the suffering that comes with such a deep and ongoing conflict. As a human being, it’s impossible not to feel empathy for those who are going through such immense pain.
I, too, feel deeply for the people of Palestine. I pray for them always and, when I can, I send donations to help alleviate their suffering.
My heart aches at the thought of the children, the families, and the communities trapped in this cycle of violence and deprivation.
It’s an overwhelming and devastating situation, and like many others, I believe it’s important to raise awareness about the atrocities that are taking place.
“They live in constant fear, not knowing when will the next attack hit them. Will it be while they are asleep or sound awake, no one knows. One thing for sure, a frightening death is around the corner”
Awareness, after all, can spark action and rally support for a cause that needs the world’s attention.
However, I’ve found myself at a crossroads when it comes to the constant bombardment of reminders about Palestinian suffering.
While my intentions remain firm in offering support through prayers and donations, I must admit that the daily barrage of tragic updates is starting to take a toll on my mental and emotional health.
It is not that I want to ignore the suffering or pretend it doesn’t exist—far from it. But the relentless reminders, day in and day out, have a profound effect on my mood and my ability to focus.
Social media, while a tool for good in spreading awareness, has become a constant stream of grief, tragedy, and helplessness.
I feel like I’m constantly being dragged into a cycle of despair, one that I can’t seem to escape from.
The images of destruction and pain infiltrate my thoughts, leaving me feeling anxious and helpless.
It’s hard to focus on my work, my responsibilities, or even my personal well-being when my mind is preoccupied with the trauma that others are enduring halfway across the world.
I’m not alone in this.
Many of us feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, and with the constant sharing of such heavy news, it can be hard to carry on with everyday tasks.
The emotional toll is real.
The daily exposure to these distressing images and stories can contribute to feelings of anxiety, sadness, and frustration. I find myself asking: how much can one person be expected to handle?
This isn’t about diminishing the importance of raising awareness or showing solidarity with those in need. Quite the opposite, in fact.
I firmly believe that we must continue to amplify the voices of those who are suffering, and support initiatives that help those in need.
But I also believe that there needs to be a balance.
There is only so much information, so many images, and so much heartache that one person can take before it starts to affect their own mental and emotional health.
We can’t pour from an empty cup.
My request is not for silence on the issue of Palestinian suffering—it’s a plea for understanding the delicate balance between raising awareness and maintaining mental well-being.
There are ways to contribute to the cause without subjecting ourselves to constant emotional overload. It's about finding ways to help that don’t leave us feeling drained, anxious, or powerless.
At the end of the day, we each have our own way of coping with global crises. Some can engage with the images and news without it affecting their mental health.
Others, like me, need to take a step back in order to preserve our emotional stability. It's essential to find a balance between activism and self-care. Both are equally important.
Let’s continue to support & pray for Palestine.
I’ll continue to donate where I can. But I’ll also protect my own peace of mind by not letting the daily reminders of tragedy consume me. We all need to care for ourselves so we can continue to care for others in a meaningful way.
If you’d like to donate to this cause, you can check out a few websites that are handling such donation campaigns:
