I was still in high school when I read a sci-fi novel Earth Abides by George Stewart (IIRC). The premise of the novel was that a pandemic had come through and wiped out well over 99% of the population leaving little pockets of survivors here and there. The novel chronicles one little pocket’s efforts to reestablish a form of primitive civilization that was sustainable.
The Primary Kill was the pandemic. The Secondary Kill was of survivors of the Primary who could not see life worth living so laid down and died or did nothing to ensure their survival as local resources were used up.
Thus, that moment a person realized they would never eat chocolate again, combined with everything else that had happened, could be the straw that broke the camel’s back. (Metaphor there.).
If you can get through the initial shock of realization, the pain eventually goes away.
Part of avoiding the Secondary Kill is knowing what your alternatives are, and how to best make use of them.
This or something similar has been written about the NAZI death camps. When prisoners concluded there was no hope in ending the pain often they would lay down and give up their life. One prisoner was said to have written that when observing someone giving up their life there was only one action that some times brought them back. If you would yell at and beat on the prisoner and made them angry enough they would get up to fight with you.
Knowledge and your faith are two things that nobody else can take away from you, and are the most powerful tools in your arsenal of weapons against changes in life that don’t work in your favor. With correct application both, prove VERY beneficial to the user.
The spiritual seekers and indigenous content themselves with such as a cool breeze on a hot day, a good harvest following a diligent growing season, a beautiful view from a lofty peak……and they learn, early on, that when these are lacking, patience will carry them through to the next of life’s small blessings.
A spoiled society is not so invulnerable to calamity.
In the real world, there are no guarantees.
Learn to be content with the air you breathe.
Sophistication is apparently the greatest enemy of the institutionalized.
I had an old wise woman tell me once many years ago- You have a choice in life: You can be Crystal and shatter on life’s Wheel. Or, you can be Willow, and bend to adapt to its Changes. I have tried to live this and it is not easy but it can be done.