The title of our read today is an English phrase that I found simple, powerfully profound and, somehow, relevant in terms of mental health when unpacked. Basically, it is (normally) used in reference to a situation where an individual starts showing hints of desperation and need. They start pinning either their physical or psychological hopes on unreasonable, unattainable and even unrealistic things or events.
Typically, it can be used in a light-hearted manner as well. For instance, when a colleague loses an argument about their favourite football team and starts making invalid points hoping to sway the debate in his favour; it could be said, ‘he’s clutching at straws’. Alternatively, real life situations and experiences also have the capability to make us desperate; both physically and, in thought; so much so, we begin to exhibit desperation, vulnerability and a mild weakness, which naturally prompts a response which is, sometimes, unattainable.
Most times, I write these articles and halfway through, I ask myself if I generally (and genuinely) make sense – this time is no different. Allow me to try and explain. Our world and the lives we live can be abrasive and quite ruthless at times. I always mention this because it is a heavy influencer of our mental health on a day-to-day basis; and on account of this, psychologically, we are constantly being shifted depending on the ‘goings on’ around at that particular time.
Back to my point about straws; yes, some situations can put us in ‘desperation’ mode. For instance, bending and twisting your psycho-emotional standards for a relationship you want to work, while ‘hoping your partner will change’ or when you are under financial strain and you hoping you will run into a bag full of E200 notes on the sidewalk. Both situations represent the ‘straw’ that you are ‘clutching’ onto, hoping things will manifest as you wish.
One does not need an Astrophysics degree to understand that a straw cannot hold that much weight; therefore, that particular usually ends in a ‘hard fall’. This, from a mental health standpoint, carries so much of a lesson in how resolute and firm our ideas, our resilience (to bounce back), as well as our mental fortitude should be in order for us to make it through each day. Some situations require that we attend to them, as they appear without having to try and candy-coat them for our temporary convenience. The convenience is temporary because, not only is it short-lived, but the repercussions of it tend to linger, especially from a psycho-emotional standpoint.
Even though, sometimes, it may appear the easy thing to do to ignore the reality and opt to pin your hopes on child-like fantasies, it is neither a good idea nor a productive one. In saying that, we encourage that you own up, show responsibility and take charge of life situations that demand your attention. It may tax heavily on your mental, however; it is a great stepping stone and growth tool, especially in the advancement of your personal mental health.
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