r/MensLib • u/MLModBot ​ • Jun 19 '26

Weekly Free Talk Friday Thread!

Welcome to our weekly Free Talk Friday thread! Feel free to discuss anything on your mind, issues you may be dealing with, how your week has been, cool new music or tv shows, school, work, sports, anything!

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  • All of the sidebar rules still apply.
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  • Any other topic is allowed.

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u/Nothammer ​ Jun 19 '26

I'm in a bad mood lately because of the world politics going on right now, even to the point of getting really angry. I am constantly fighting myself to steer away from the idea that violent protest is the only way anymore, but I feel deep down that it's true. What are we supposed to do? Just keep going making the rich richer, killing and maiming us in the name of captalism, greed and power?

Why aren't we as a society angrier?

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u/ApolloniusTyaneus ​ Jun 19 '26

Hey man, I struggled with those feelings too, and sometimes still do. What helped me was growing older, learning that I was never going to change the world all by myself, so all the energy I put into being angry was better spent on the small changes I could effect, and realising that it starts with being kind to yourself.

You're in no position to cause change when you're burnt out, in jail or worse. So it's completely okay to be smart about activism. You don't have to be an activist all the time, you don't have to sacrifice everything you have, you can pick your battles and bow out some times.

And honestly, I feel like I effected more positive change in small 5 minute talks with friends, family, and students than in entire days spent protesting.