The world is in a mess, yes. It has been for some time. It is not a recent phenomenon. I am currently sat looking into my garden listening to the sparrows chir

The world is in a mess, yes. It has been for some time. It is not a recent phenomenon. I am currently sat looking into my garden listening to the sparrows chirping, and the sun shining down on it. This is identical to the garden 50, 20, 10 years ago. Only if I turn my attention to the insanity in the human world does it seem bleak. Yes, many people do many stupid things and do things I disagree with but my concern about those issues won't change their behaviour. People will always do what they want to do, even if it is selfish/stupid. I do not follow political events. Perhaps you need to focus on something different for a while, and "detach". This doesn't mean you don't care anymore, but worrying about the future won't change the future or stop it from happening - it'll just colour your current moment and lead to you not enjoying it. Perhaps it is your awareness of the current affairs that is leading to your mental preoccupation with the situation. When you were a child you did not have these concerns because you were unaware of them. Your mind can only be preoccupied with what reaches it, so perhaps filter what reaches it. You not knowing about events will not stop them from happening; it'll just mean you won't need to be caught up in the furore surrounding them because you won't know about them (and by extension, won't overly worry or be peturbed by them). Perhaps go find some sparrows to observe and see how happy they are in their moment.