Hey Reader,

I know you have a lot on your plate right now. If you're feeling the weight of protecting your sanity while navigating uncertainty at work and making sense of everything happening in the world, you're not alone.

The fear, anxiety, and heartbreak from the headlines are palpable and may leave you feeling unsettled and questioning whether you're truly making a difference.

This anguish has been front and center the last few months while training teams on Managing Change and Uncertainty and discussing what I call social impact grief—our collective emotional response to making a difference in a world that so often resists it.

I unpack this concept in this clip from an interview with fellow changemaker Julia Campbell.

What is social impact grief?

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Grief is one of several key challenges we're facing in the evolving workplace that is contributing to what Nicola Brown, founder of the Kokoro Wellness community, calls “swirling.”

This occurs when we're trying to move forward with life and work while being weighed down by overwhelming change, prolonged uncertainty, or unresolved trauma. It's like driving with the parking brake on—you're moving, but slower, and eventually, you burn out.

The truth is that navigating these changes is messy. Your emotional response doesn't mean you're broken; it means you're having a very real human experience. There is no perfect step-by-step process or timeline for healing.

Whatever you're feeling, it's okay to acknowledge where you are in this season and honor it. This is a healthy and necessary part of moving forward constructively.

It’s also a reminder that you are resilient and capable of withstanding challenging times because grief and loss are natural parts of the “circle of life,” as The Lion King teaches us.

How to Navigate Social Impact Grief

Honoring our current season is part of the inner and outer work of changemaking. It allows us to show up more fully for ourselves and our missions and skillfully navigate any challenges we face, as I describe in this clip.

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As you move through this season, I invite you to extend grace to yourself and your colleagues. It’s okay to not be okay. Human emotions are complex.

Yet, even amid grief, transition, and disruption, we can find a way to move forward and use these experiences to fuel the journey ahead.

I leave you with this invitation to be “good busy” refilling your own cup.

Onward,

Meico

P.S. If you need support for yourself or your team, I’m here for you. Just reply to this message or book an appointment here: mindfultechie.com/virtualtea.

About Meico

I’m Meico Marquette Whitlock.

Imagine a world where leaders and teams don’t just grind through the day but thrive in their work, without sacrificing their well-being. That’s the world I’m working to create.

I’m here to help you embody what it means to truly thrive and know your well-being is your greatest asset.

As a workplace well-being strategist, I’m on a mission to help purpose-driven leaders rewrite the narrative of success. I believe that impactful work doesn’t have to come at the cost of your health or happiness, and I’ve made it my life’s work to show you how.

I’m the founder and CEO of Mindful Techie, author of How to Thrive When Work Doesn’t Love You Back and The Intention Planner, and a certified trauma-informed mindfulness teacher.

I partner with mission-driven organizations to create cultures where belonging, balance, and purpose take center stage. In a world full of burnout and overwhelm, I help you navigate life, work, and technology in harmony.

During my previous career in the tech, nonprofit, and government sectors, I experienced more than my fair share of burnout and overwhelm in the name of making a difference. As a recovering workaholic, I use what I’ve learned to help changemakers like you make an impact without self-sacrifice.

I partner with you to create strategies and deliver programs that help your team scale impact while sustaining the right balance between life, work, and technology in today’s changing world.

I have worked with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cigna, and Greenpeace, and have been a featured speaker on ABC News, Fox 5, and Radio One. I'm also a former triathlete, love salsa dancing, and make the world’s best vegan chili! :-)

Are you ready to prioritize your well-being and elevate your well-doing? Let’s get started!

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