Caitlin Moran, the award-winning columnist and bestselling author, has opened up about her personal struggle with despair amid what she describes as a "mid-civilisation crisis" coinciding with her midlife and menopause. In 2019, overwhelmed by relentless negative news, online toxicity, and environmental concerns, Moran contemplated escaping to a remote farmhouse in the Welsh countryside. However, she found such a move financially unfeasible and instead turned to finding hope closer to home.

Now 51 and living in north London with her husband, music journalist Pete Paphides, and their two daughters, Moran reflects on the ongoing sense of hopelessness she perceives in society. "Everybody is hopeless and despairing at the moment. The future is f*****," she said, highlighting that the expectation for a return to normality has faded after more than a decade of global challenges.

Moran attributes some of her despair to lifelong anxiety, which was aggravated by perimenopause and insomnia. Yet, she recognised the responsibility not to transfer this gloom onto younger generations, particularly Gen Z, whom she believes need support and tools to navigate these uncertain times.

Her new book, *How to Be Hopeful*, chronicles the year she spent actively seeking ways to feel less overwhelmed. Moran emphasises small, manageable actions such as litter-picking in her neighbourhood, giving blood, and transforming her garden into a wildlife-friendly space as practical methods to reclaim a sense of control and optimism. She describes how the gradual reduction of rubbish on her street brought a real sense of accomplishment, while her garden became a sanctuary for bees, butterflies, and peregrine falcons.

Another significant change for Moran was reducing her consumption of negative news and stepping back from social media. She criticises the widespread frustration with social platforms and notes that many young people, including her daughters, have abandoned smartphones for simpler "brick" phones. Moran suggests that social media has worsened the global climate and calls for a new, more positive approach, akin to earlier, more hopeful days of online interaction. Currently, she limits her online presence to Bluesky and Instagram.

Moran also discusses her long history with anxiety, confessing that she once viewed it as a form of intellectual pride. With medical help, including beta blockers, she was able to better manage her symptoms. She also quit smoking, adopting what she calls "invisible smoking," where she takes deep breaths as a substitute.

Acknowledging the eco-grief that has contributed to her feelings of powerlessness, Moran finds solace in tangible efforts such as supporting local biodiversity. She has launched a podcast called *Outsiding* with garden designer Adam Frost, which focuses on connecting with nature in everyday settings.

Reflecting on her role as a parent, Moran recognizes that her own anxiety may have influenced her daughters and regrets modelling a mindset where anxiety was equated with productivity. She calls this approach harmful and urges her generation to stop burdening younger people with constant negativity.

Despite the challenges, Moran remains cautiously optimistic, pointing to advances in medicine and technology and the positive actions of community-minded individuals. She emphasizes the importance of shifting focus to what is good, stating, "This isn’t the worst time to be alive. The streets are not riddled with plague."

Within her family, discussions about the future have taken on a more hopeful tone, centered on positive developments and human kindness. Moran admits that while little has changed materially since her lowest point, her perspective and use of time and language have evolved significantly, reflecting a deliberate choice to pursue more constructive thoughts.