Emotional burn-out and the power of Sisu

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As the midterm exams begin to be discussed in many of our classes and weeks of homework assignments begin needing to be finished and turned in, many staff and students alike may be beginning to feel overwhelmed or worse near burnout.

Feeling more anxious and depressed are perfectly normal and natural human emotional responses to life’s many stresses. However, just because we feel them at intense moments, we don’t have to succumb to their crippling effects.

One concept/philosophy comes to mind whenever mental health issues begin to become more noticeable, while we are still being expected to accomplish projects: “Sisu”.

Dating back to the early 1500’s, Sisu (pronounced “see’-su”), can best be defined according to the book “The Finnish Way” as, “extraordinary determination, courage and resoluteness in the face of extreme adversity. An action mindset which enables individuals to reach beyond their present limitations, take action against all odds and transform barriers into frontiers.”

It’s an integral element of Finnish culture and also a universal capacity we all share.

Even when we are working on an assignment and we are certain in our heads that failure is inevitable; we must keep trying with our 100% of our being. Failure is only inevitable when we are self convinced of its inevitability! The harder we work now the easier life will become. So go out now, take your life into your own hands and give each day your best, for when there is success both personal and professional, happiness will surely follow within the principles of Sisu.

Staff Reporter Cian Lehtonen can be reached at clehtonen@dailyegyptian.com

Outside of the loss of life, the invasion has resulted in significant humanitarian impacts. From a pre-war population of around 44 million, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that more than 7.8 million Ukrainians have left the country as refugees and another 6.5 million are displaced within the country. Even outside of the country, disruption to grain exports has exacerbated hunger and famine crises in some poorer nations which relied on Ukrainian trade.

Recent US Involvement

Prior to the Russian invasion and throughout the conflict itself, the United States has avoided direct involvement in the conflict but has remained strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in its defense. In lieu of involvement on the ground, The U.S. has provided roughly $29.3 billion in security assistance since the invasion began, of which the State Department reports that approximately $18.7 billion is from Department of Defense stockpiles.

These include a recent decision to work with U.S. allies to provide a projected 300 tanks to Ukraine, which will include 31 M1 Abrams tanks. Ukraine has repeatedly requested such support in light of the higher number of armored vehicles in Russia’s arsenal. Prior aid has included Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, artillery systems and ammunition, and armored personnel carriers, among other equipment. These shipments have also included supplies of air defense missiles, which are seen as essential at preventing civilian casualties from Russian strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure.

The Near Future

The near future of the conflict appears to be one of uncertainty, as the harsh winter begins to ease and both sides look to secure territory. Buoyed by the recent support and upcoming supply of tanks, Ukraine is likely to seek to regain the remaining territory still under Russian occupation. While this territory has been significantly damaged and most residents have already fled, those remaining in these territories are seen as under continuing risk until the occupation is ended.

On the opposite side, Russia has since held referendums in multiple occupied regions, an action which the United Nations’ Secretary-General

António Guterres says violates the U.N. charter, “would have no legal value” and which “deserves to be condemned.”

These announcements grant the territory status as Russian territory under their legal system, which will incentivize the Russian military to continue the war until they are defended, or in the case of some liberated areas such as Kherson, captured once again.

In addition, the Russian military has been buoyed by the decision to begin a partial mobilization on Sept. 21, which increased troop numbers by an estimated 300,000. Ukraine’s military intelligence also believes Russia is preparing for a second round of mobilization, which could increase the number of combatants by as much as 500,000 additional troops.

With both sides dug in and expanding their arsenals and manpower, the war many saw to be quick and certain appears poised for another round of bloody fighting once one of the two sides makes the next move. Which side will eventually succeed in reaching their goal remains unknown.

The one year anniversary of the conflict will be the topic of discussion Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. at Guyon Auditorium in the Morris Library. Associate professors of political science, Stephen Shulman and Steve Bloom, will answer questions about the impact the conflict has had around the world. It will be livestreamed on the university’s YouTube channel.

Staff Reporter Isaac Ludington can be reached at iludington@dailyegyptian.com