Semocracy is on the edge of disappearing in many countries. Added to that is the rising homelessness; war; addiction; climate refugees; increasing hatred at work, school board meetings, local community gatherings; escalating polarization among family members, religious communities, cities / towns / villages – has led to experiencing grief at a profound, often inexplicable level.


It is a grief that is different than the grief experienced after personal loss (death of a loved one, limb, ability, relationship, home, job). It is a grief that rises when hearts are physically heavy from the hurt and pain due to witnessing hate, racism, injustice and discrimination in the local community, on the news, in person, in social media. It is a grief when living with the reality of war on the doorstep. In “The Wild Edge of Sorrow,” Frances Weller writes that “it takes everything we have to deny the sorrows of the world.”

If you’re wondering why you’re feeling more tired … your body is hurting … you’re experiencing confusion, unusual anger, impatience, loss of sleep (or inability to sleep), headaches, resentment at life’s ‘little things’ etc., it could be the consequence of collective sorrow – corporate grief.

What to do about it?
… we can “turn off” for a bit of a break and retreat from social media – not enter conversations that cause distress
… we can become a supporter, ally, listener, financial contributor of people/causes that touch our soul
… we can talk to someone we trust, as simply ‘naming’ the grief/feelings can release some of their grip on us.


And if/when mental health concerns surface, we can
… speak with a health care professional
… focus on balancing the sorrows of the world with moments of gratitude, experiences with nature, gentle moments with ourself while enjoying a craft / art / music / hobby / reading.


Focusing on all that is happening in the world can be a double-edged emotional sword.
It can
… trigger past grief
… cause fear and sense of hopelessness and lead to deep emotional trauma.


It can …
promote into action. Action via peaceful protest … contacting political leaders … becoming involved in the political process … learning about Restorative Justice programs in the community … speaking out by writing letters to the editor in local newspapers, being witnesses to the truth … and more.


Corporate grief is real.


While sorrows of the world have always existed, today’s social media world and the exploding world of AI bring those sorrows in our living rooms, on our phones, even on our watches. It’s up to us as to how we handle the sense of corporate grief that is palpable, visible, here-and-now.


May we be honest with ourselves – be part of the witness and do what we can to raise consciousness. May we bring truth to the lies and work towards change within ourselves – not so we stop being compassionate beings, but so we can be / continue to be concerned about, care for, advocate on behalf of those people and situations without being crippled by the communal grief.


We must take care of ourselves and acknowledge the corporate grief we feel.
It is real.
Very real.

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© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social