Furious about something (or everything)? Appalled at the state of the world? Feeling as though you should be acting all the time to right wrongs and fight for justice? Completely overwhelmed as a result?

Welcome to the concept of strategically giving a sh*t.

Because feeling anxious and activated, angry and distressed all of the time, every day, is completely unhelpful. It’s not healthy, it’s not pleasant and it will actually make you less effective when it comes to seeking the changes you want to see in the world.

So let’s have some real talk for a moment.

Things that make a difference:

🔆 Signing petitions

🔆 Donating money

🔆 Amplifying diverse voices

🔆 Writing to your MP

🔆 Having meaningful, open conversations with people who appear to disagree with you

🔆 Learning more about the reasons why people see things differently to you

Things that make no difference:

🌧 Worrying

🌧 Stressing

🌧 Feeling like a terrible person

So. We want to do more of the first list, right? And there will be things you could add to that list – I’d love for you to comment below with what you would add.

But what do you notice about that first list? It is full of things that require time and energy. Two things that are in preciously short supply (and even more so if we spend all of our time worrying).

Here’s what we are going to do:

1. Put aside an hour (or however long feels appropriate) in your diary once a month
2. Whenever you see a post or news item that gives you a call to action you want to undertake (sign the petition, donate here, write to your MP etc), bookmark it on your desktop in a “giving a sh*t” folder*
3. When your time to strategically give a sh*t comes around, go into that folder and do all the things. In one go. Done
4. Give yourself permission to not spend the rest of your month worrying. It is utterly pointless, and no good for your health

* if you don’t know how to create a bookmark folder on your desktop comment below and I’ll tell you!

How does that sound?

Does that sound like a plan?

If we want to be truly effective then we need time and energy. Setting aside time and then conserving your energy (by banishing the worry) is the way to make yourself truly effective in this world.

The alternative is a group of stressed out, overwhelmed people who constantly feel like they’re not doing enough, yet never really do anything because they’re too overwhelmed. Sound familiar? Yeah, let’s banish that BS.

Who’s with me?

🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆

For more hints and tips on managing the overwhelm, download my Managing the Overwhelm freebie here.

Helen Calvert
The No Bullsh*t Coach
July 2025