On January 6, 2021, pro-Trump protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol. Americans—and yes, Canadians—watched in shock as an “ordinary,” albeit angry, protest turned violent and invasive. Government officials were sent into lockdown as protestors, some carrying signs indicating a desire to lynch the vice president—or, even more alarmingly, zip-ties, indicating an intention to take prisoners—entered the federal government’s upper and lower chambers.

The winter months can be hard. Short days, long nights, cold weather, and shoveling metric tons of snow can all be demoralizing—especially when the snow falls again a day or two later. It’s normal to feel a little down when we can’t be outside sunning ourselves like lizards on warm rocks.

As we trudge into our third year of the pandemic, we’re also limping into a brand-new calendar year—and many of us are thinking of making New Year’s resolutions.

Perhaps you’ve felt it—an overwhelming feeling of dread, doubt, and fear that strikes without warning and leaves you uncertain and shaken. Most often it comes upon us at times when we should be feeling at our best, when we’re excelling personally or professionally. We may receive compliments and encouragement, but that just makes us feel worse.

It’s hard, if not impossible, to think of a greater existential threat to our species than climate change. Wildfires, droughts, crop failures, the slow erosion of the ozone layer, and the melting ice at our poles are all evidence of a massive shift in the earth’s climate.

Adolescence is, in general, a challenging time even for the most privileged of youths. Hormones, physical and psychological development, and changing social relationships all contribute to a time of strong emotions, both positive and negative.