Top 5 Ways to Prepare for a Mass Extinction 

What do we do? How do we plan for a mass extinction of life on this planet. 

We’re in the midst of one, as a study in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine points out, “The five mass extinctions of the ancient past were caused by natural calamities—volcanoes and an asteroid. Today, humanity may have to survive a sixth mass extinction in a world of its own making.”

What do we do?

Well, it’s not hand wringing. Annalee New-itz, author of Scatter, Adapt, and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction, says fear is absolutely the wrong response, and saying that humans have wrecked everything is also not a helpful response.

But now, more than ever, we need to be in touch with our fear and the concern that’s underpinning it. As an emotions therapist, I meetmany sensitive souls who despair over the Earth’s destruction. And often it’s a ruminating (over-and-over-again) thought that can undermine the ability to enjoy life. 

And even if this isn’t you, the events of the world can be concerning and weigh heavy on your mind. Right? 

So what do we do? 

First, the most important main thing to do, is to be grounded here in your body with your senses. When we’re in our head, with thoughts that “this shouldn’t be happening”; “I wish it weren’t like this”; “I’ll lose everything I care about” …these are actually things people have shared with me.  

And when we’re stuck in these thoughts, there is no where you can go with this. No where. This IS being STUCK. So we need to get out of the stuckness and I have a suggestion for you that I’ll get to later.  

Second, the reason we feel stuck is because of the fear and shock of a heavy challenge, like “Oh My God, we’re destroying the planet”. So it’s vital that we need to strengthen our nervous system and train our mind. We need to learn to discipline ourselves to surf what’s coming up for us whether it’s the next fire or flood or loss of life – things that can come out of the blue that throw you for a loop and trigger you into feeling scared, angry, hurt, depressed and the like. 

Third, we need to have something to hold close that gives us hope and gives us purpose. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Don’t just stand back and hand wring. 

When you begin thinking about how you want to contribute, you shift your perspective, it’s loosening the grip on that stuckness. How do you want to be of service? How do YOU want to contribute? “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Fourth, create a constant connection to yourself. Let’s call it self-love and self-compassion. 

And this comes from listening within, when you make time to spend meditatively talking with yourself… you can create a cozy inner world where you are never alone. Even when you are alone. I teach this stuff and I know it works.

And my fifth point, ALWAYS cultivate self-care… I know personally, that we can kind of creep away from our practices, whether they’re immersing yourself in nature, journaling, giving gratitude, meditating. 

And, of course, as you know, I invite a protocol of microdosing plant medicines that can support and amplify the effects of your practices. 

So to support your efforts or get you back on track, I want to share with you a short but powerful breath work and meditation that will clear your mind in 3 minutes so you can cultivate being grounded and aware and start conditioning your nervous system so you can respond calmly to things that might sneak up on you and catch you by surprise. I’ll put the link to the practice below. 

So where are you in staying grounded through the constant beat of bad news? Is there something that you do? Drop down to the comments section and let us know. 

I’m Becca williams and I want you to leave your most magnificent life and I wanna help you do that. Check out the practice link – I think you’re going to like it.