Protecting Your Peace in a Divided World

In today’s world, it feels almost impossible to escape the constant noise. Between social media feeds and rolling news cycles, we’re bombarded with stories of conflict, division, and hostility. The conversations around asylum seekers, racism, and minority communities have become especially toxic, and for many people, this relentless negativity feeds anxiety, worry, and even depression.

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Our minds weren’t built to take in a constant stream of arguments, fear, and hostility — and yet that’s what social media exposes us to every day. What begins as staying informed can quickly turn into feeling drained, helpless, or hopeless.

That’s why self-care isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is step away. Taking a break from scrolling or turning off the news doesn’t mean ignoring the world’s problems. It means protecting your mental health, giving yourself space to breathe, and reconnecting with what’s good in your life. And often, when you do, you’ll realise the world isn’t quite as dark as the online version makes it appear.

Of course, problems don’t disappear when we log off. But balance matters. Alongside the division, there is kindness. Alongside the hate, there are countless everyday acts of humanity. Taking time to notice those things helps restore perspective — and perspective is one of the best tools we have for protecting our peace.

Because at the heart of it, most of us — no matter our background, beliefs, or identity — want the same things: the chance to work, a safe future for young people, and dignity for the elderly. When we focus on these shared hopes, we remember that we’re not as divided as the online noise suggests.

Protecting your mental health doesn’t mean closing yourself off from the world. It means choosing how much of the negativity you let in, and making room for connection, compassion, and hope. If more of us can do that, not only will we find greater peace within ourselves, but we’ll also be stronger together.

Sometimes the best place to start is simple: take a step back, take a breath, and give yourself permission to focus on what’s still good.