I’ve been full of dread due to the world I live in since I was a kid.
I had a daughter at 42.
Her joy is my joy.
All the external things that I can’t control aren’t things I need to worry about anymore.
Make everything you can control as great as you can, and spread it as far as you can
I am trying to make a point of looking for the things that went right, and acknowledging that good news is not sexy. Close calls where everything is okay often go unnoticed and unremarked upon.
Our brains look for fear and doom to keep us safe because it's a survival trait but they miss so much.
The news likes to tell us what's wrong but there's a lot of good, quiet stuff out there that is absolutely wonderful.
Also, when i feel really hopeless, I try to donate to good charities that make the world better.
Knowing that I'm making the world better, even if only just a little helps.
It's really hard. When I spend time with my friends, I feel better. But the problem is finding time for all of us between working and paying bills and more, more, more. It's just...shit. people shouldn't live like this, and I'm tired of those pretending we're fine just because we aren't worse off.
I am too. I’ve had to resort to an occasional Valium that I usually save for long flights. I’m just really quiet bc I’m in a very red state, although my county (Charleston) went for Harris. Thank god for Bluesky. I don’t feel so alone.
If I don’t try I’ll cry so I try to post uplifting and funny things here hoping to brighten someone’s day. If I can make one person smile that will make me smile too
Serious answer: by focusing only on what is around me, right now.
Who I’m with, right now
What I’m eating, right now.
What I see, what I feel, what is smelled or tasted, what is heard.
Right now
Right now
Right now
That is all that keeps me grounded, and all I think is real anyway.
This moment
I make an effort to tailor my feeds so they have a fair amount of good news! Heartwarming stories, wins for human rights around the world, body positivity, silly memes. I make sure to balance the bad with the good. Not enough people talk about the good but it's still there.
I think of all the things I'm grateful for. It starts adding up quickly actually. And the things I'm proud of myself about. Reminds me of how strong I am. Then I can think more clearly. Then a solution usually comes. And meditation 🧘🏾♀️ 🤗🫶🏾
And focus on what you can do something about first.
I do my work at a Starbucks across the street from a fire station near Dodger Stadium. Two firefighters walked in. I went to the counter and offered to pay for their order. The barista told me sorry, no can do, we already picked up the tab. That was nice.
I take solace in the things I can influence directly. My fiance, our pets. I hold them close. Fiance and I save things that make us laugh or stories that let us celebrate humanity, and lie down and share them with each other before bed.
Snuggles & laughter will always make the hard times fade out.
Right there with you, Jeff. Luckily I have a young child who I get to be present with but otherwise, find the community of those that share your values and be all in with that community.
Accomplishing something is helpful. Like completing a longstanding art project that requires focus and intent. Doing so keeps your mind off the bad stuff and feels good when completed.
This is nothing. High chance Bird Flu is going human, at 40% mortality. The Duck and Cover generation gets a whole new chance at experiencing the actual end of civilization. Resigned. That's how I deal with it. 😂
Upbeat is not how I can describe it. Everyone we hoped would save the country has let us down. Our 2nd largest city in the country has been devastated with untold misery. It takes enormous strength to not lose our true north and be ready to resist and stand up for the vulnerable.
I am tired, as many, many are. But I believe we will rise up when horrible stuff starts happening. We have to. I know I will never be a good German. As for my mental health, I try not to live too long in the dark spaces. Take care, Jeff. You are not alone.
I do the things I can. I don't worry about things I can't. I find things I enjoy and do them as much as possible. I remember that things will get better. Above all, I refuse to let it all get to me for long. Some days are a struggle, but I will fight to be happy.
Take your news and information in increments. Take care of yourself. Make sure you are having at least one zero percent day a week (where you do absolutely nothing but rest and recharge-without guilt). Enjoy those hobbies. You've got this!
Unplug, worry about the stuff in your immediate vicinity. Start good habits. Delete the apps you seem to be drawn to if you’re hopelessly doom scrolling for too long, that helps me.
Serious answer: spite.
I'm like, "OK y'all with the power want me and mine and most to be miserable, do you? Well GOOD FUCKING LUCK WITH THAT, I'ma find SO MANY things I can still enjoy WHATEVER you try to do, and I'll do EVERYTHING to help others be happy because YOU! ARE! NOT! WINNING! THE END!"
There is as much beauty as ugliness, it's what you attune to that matters. Attending to what's good make you a poor customer, ergo, keep you unhappy - make more sales.
Read or listen to books about people who inspire you. Go down a music rabbit hole, so many great concerts on YouTube, or interviews with great musicians and creators of all art. No doom scrolling!!
I wanna know too! I’m doing my best to be upbeat but I’m actually very anxious & stressed about everything lmao. I’m trying to have hobbies, journal, and do therapy and my meds, and some other random stuff, but there’s only so much I can do.
I drown it out. I don’t follow any news outlets anymore on social. I deleted Twitter and Facebook. I don’t watch the news. Except lately as I live in SoCal and need to keep an eye on the fires. Put blinders on. Watch sports. Watch cooking shows. Just ignore the noise. That’s my remedy.
I've had to turn it all off, and I'm working hard to change my social media algorithm, so that suggested pages end up being things like meditation, self-help, law of attraction. It's a lot about choosing what you can change & tuning out what you can't.
I don't read/watch any news with a 24h cycle. I only pay attention to local news and focus on the 50km around me. I stopped most social media. I use the internet for info mostly.
Anonymous instant communication across the globe is the carrier of despair.
Be the change you wish to see in the world. When I'm feeling down, I try to make a strangers day better. Maybe one day a stranger will do the same for me.
Good question. I’m prioritizing health, relationships, backlog projects, and compassion. I want to be the best version of myself possible, no matter what crazy $#!+ is going on.
My response has been one that is selfish. I’m worn out by the abject noise. I kind of retreated and took a let’s have whatever is going to happen and let poop rain down…not a sustainable outlook but my first attempt to shelter.
Reading fiction, playing Stardew Valley and focusing on stuff other than the news. I recently got into old VHS tapes and watching them. Easier said than done but it helps.
With all the noise out there sometimes you need to lower the volume. Stay away from as much media as possible. When I can’t I skip by the divisive stuff and find the funny reels or cute dog and kid reels. Find a way to have a laugh.
Try to limit the noise, doing something different, listening to oldies music more lately, focus on that instead of the words and photos in front of me.
Don't put pressure on urself to feel a certain way. There will be really really bad moments but they will pass. So when ur in it tell urself that. Take a sleeping pill, a bath, and sleep.
think globally act locally. You've got control over one of those while the other is far outside your scope. What you choose to affect strangely will have an impact on the other
I feel like staying upbeat may be too much to ask, and staying sane is going to have to be enough. I try to stay in the moment as much as I can and, despite my hate of cliches, taking it one step at a time.
The anxiety right now is off the charts. I have turned off the news on tv and am watching British sitcoms instead. Also crosswords, sudoku, exercise and cuddling my dogs. Finding Bluesky and the community here has also helped. We will get through this. We will.
Im gonna give you a piece of advice i got from a show that I love.
"Decide to be fine till the end of the week. Make yourself smile cause you're alive and thats your job and then do it again next week."
"So fake it?"
"I call it being professional, do it right, with a smile or dont do it."
I suggest avoiding actual news, esp TV & getting notifications on your phone. Check news if/when YOU want rather than have it constantly showing up. Also rec making a list of things you love doing & then do them regularly. List (& re-read) books you loved as a kid, & all movies that make you laugh
Jeff I don’t know if it’s possible. I am trying to keep politics to a minimum during the next 4 years a decade of this has been a lot. I’m also trying to concentrate on my family and what I can control which is helping but it’s hard to keep all of the noise at bay. Love all of your Tik Toks.
There are too many social media accounts that exist mostly to stoke outrage and/or perpetually doomsay. I am identifying those and unfollowing and muting them.
Comments
It’s the reverse Caesar approach - what touches us ourself shall be [first] served.
The benefits of a small circle!
I had a daughter at 42.
Her joy is my joy.
All the external things that I can’t control aren’t things I need to worry about anymore.
Make everything you can control as great as you can, and spread it as far as you can
Our brains look for fear and doom to keep us safe because it's a survival trait but they miss so much.
Also, when i feel really hopeless, I try to donate to good charities that make the world better.
Knowing that I'm making the world better, even if only just a little helps.
Who I’m with, right now
What I’m eating, right now.
What I see, what I feel, what is smelled or tasted, what is heard.
Right now
Right now
Right now
That is all that keeps me grounded, and all I think is real anyway.
This moment
And focus on what you can do something about first.
Also, lots of standup comedy.
Snuggles & laughter will always make the hard times fade out.
I'm just trying to cling to the notion that we're not alone and focus on the things in life that truly matter.
But it feels awfully...heavy right now.
Muting as many trigger words as possible also helps.
To combat the stuff I Inadvertently see...puppies are my go to fix.
Watching the end of the Commanders game last night too
I'm like, "OK y'all with the power want me and mine and most to be miserable, do you? Well GOOD FUCKING LUCK WITH THAT, I'ma find SO MANY things I can still enjoy WHATEVER you try to do, and I'll do EVERYTHING to help others be happy because YOU! ARE! NOT! WINNING! THE END!"
Anonymous instant communication across the globe is the carrier of despair.
Also projects and walking.
avoid social media and cable news
read books
watch films
if all that fails… weed and psilocybin (not mutually exclusive with any of the above)
I tried, but humans remain disappointing.
And I have my nerd shows. Andor Season 2 in April will be very welcomed as a breath of fresh air in our household.
"Decide to be fine till the end of the week. Make yourself smile cause you're alive and thats your job and then do it again next week."
"So fake it?"
"I call it being professional, do it right, with a smile or dont do it."
And pick-up hoops.