How to not be depressed by people doing horrible things?

[Tmbass]

Chances are there isn't an answer, but can anyone at least give advice about finding some peace of mind?

Just seeing the bs news headlines; another shooting, another mob beating an innocent person, another case of injustice and racism, another rape, another war.
Looking at the 'bright side' and 'oh, but everyone you know is nice', 'most people are nice enough', just doesn't do it.
Knowing that there are people out there who do horrible things to innocent people and animals really gets me down. horrible videos just jovially posted on social media play in intrusive thoughts constantly and it's making me so fucking sad.
My depression when I was a teen was simply about myself and my situation, but after growing up, now this shit is dragging me down too.
I just don't know how to find just an hours peace of mind without having to think about it or remember some horrible thing some horrible person has done in a news headline or video.

 

[Rounded Agony]

Disengage from news/the internet. Seriously. This shit is designed to keep people hooked; reporting on good things doesn't attract readers/viewers/etc. It made a big difference at least to me when I went from checking every day to only a couple of times a week.

Go for a walk in nature if you can. Do something immersive and positive.

 

[AliceTheGoon]

Take up mountain biking. There's nothing like trying to fix a bike chain in a dry riverbed under a blazing sun with blood trickling down your calves to forget the world and live in the moment.

 

[Smart No More]

It is dismal for sure. That stuff is bad but what bothers me more is people who aren't considered criminals that are held in high esteem for things that are from admirable and have a knock on effect that carries through various facets of society, generations and common public perceptions and expectations.

I think you have to kind of feel bad about it because there's no healthy way of hiding from reality but at the risk of sounding cliche and for sake of simplicity I guess you have to "be the change you want to see" and hope it's contagious. Either way you can at least feel some self worth for doing right in a world of wrong. It might not be enough to mitigate the sorrow and dismay but a clear concience and self worth are pretty invaluable. Especially when attained genuinely. They don't count foe much in some peoples eyes though. I find people struggle to see it because it's alien to them so it can't possibly be true in their opinion. You must be a bullshitter or virtue signaller in many peoples eyes and I'm not sure how you overcome that.

Perhaps searching out proactive pockets or organisations that stand for what you hold dear. Get involved and hopefully see some change and potential for progression. That's surely got to be the way forward, right? Otherwise you're just standing at the side of the road sobbing but doing nothing about it.

 

[Tmbass]

Disengage from news/the internet. Seriously.

Thank you, the fact you commented has made me feel better. I've no doubt that would work in perhaps slowing down the barrage of bad news, but the fact it's happening is inescapable. I agree, spending less time looking at that stuff will help ease distress, so I will for sure make an effort to disengage, but the the fact there's certainly something bad happening, whether I see it or not, will just constantly cause me pain.
I go out plenty, I live near pleasant walking paths and live in the countryside but unfortunately nature or the outdoors has never brought me any peace, not since I was much younger.
Guess I gotta find better hobby's.

Perhaps searching out proactive pockets or organisations that stand for what you hold dear. Get involved and hopefully see some change and potential for progression. That's surely got to be the way forward, right? Otherwise you're just standing at the side of the road sobbing but doing nothing about it.

Thank you for your comment, very insightful and your understanding makes me feel a lot better. Weirdly enough, this aspect specifically is most depressing to me. I don't feel I'm standing on the side sobbing and doing nothing, I feel as a human, being a decent person and generally being kind and helping others should be enough. That in of itself is positive participation. If everyone acted as such this wouldn't be a problem to begin with. But the fact it seems like we have to go the extra mile just to counter horrible people, the fact that a normal man not causing harm to anybody is seen as a passerby just because he's not going around donating to every charity and attending every peaceful protest for change, makes the situation 10x sadder. I understand your specific sentence was guided at me as it makes sense to go the extra mile if I feel so mentally tortured, but the fact so much has to be done in the first place is just such a drag. Sorry for this messy reply.

 

[Smart No More]

I share your sentiment really. It shouldn't be upto decent people to do more than the indecent are prepared to do. It's the unfortunate truth though that if we want to see change that's probably the necessary requirement. The shitty people aren't going to do it and they don't care about seeing that change/improvement so it's a burden that falls on us. A cross we have to bare. If we choose not to do it that's okay but by the same token I'm not sure we have any right to moan. Maybe we do. But honestly, my suggestion about getting involved was for the benefits that come from the fact you're doing something. Not the results of what you do so much as the hope that it brings. As obviously you're always going to feel the way you do otherwise. So I guess, as you noted, it's a direct suggestion to your conundrum. The only other option is to resign yourself to it and try to surround yourself only with people who share your values and views but good luck with that. Even if you find people like that thee moment you step out of your circle you find yourself faced with issues whether it be in front of a doctor or a government agency. People are people and they can be really shit.

I guess ultimately no matter what you do there's no changing that so you have to go after what governs them. What they are acountable to. It's messy old world that goes round in circles convincing itself it's more civilised than it is. Truth is a rolling stone does gather moss after all.

 

[Still_there]

Well Said, 100% agree with you, morbid reality

 

[theboy]

There is something called "philosophical depression". Your comments reflect what this depression is about. Sometimes things affect me too. It may sound stupid but I don't like people drinking or smoking because they are hurting themselves. People who live on the streets affect me, too.
The positive thing about this is that we can see how these people move on.
I understand your discomfort

 

[FuneralCry]

I find that to be depressing as well, but unfortunately it's the cruel reality of this existence. Theres no way not to be depressed about it in my opinion, but I guess that as already mentioned someone can limit their exposure to news articles and things like that. If someone is not aware of something then they cannot possibly be negatively effected by it. Humans can be so awful and if only people stopped procreating then it would prevent all this endless suffering. The way that I deal with life is that I tell myself eventually I will be free from this horrible world no matter what. Our lives are temporary after all and death is inevitable for us all.