Cara, I often feel like you do. I’m simply exhausted by all the threats and trying my damnedest to save democracy with postcards, letters, whatever. And I , too, feel like I’m neglecting my personal life. So what I’ve found helpful is to take breaks. Every Sunday, for example. One or two days during the week. I find doing something away…
Cara, I often feel like you do. I’m simply exhausted by all the threats and trying my damnedest to save democracy with postcards, letters, whatever. And I , too, feel like I’m neglecting my personal life. So what I’ve found helpful is to take breaks. Every Sunday, for example. One or two days during the week. I find doing something away every day doesn’t help as much, but full (or nearly full) days helps more. Also less news and more music. If you recharge your batteries they will propel you longer. Yesterday I went to the post office for a new supply of stamps and postcards and now I’m ready for another round of communications. Oh, and if this fits for you, a little wine doesn’t hurt either. Good luck.
During the Vietnam War, the Quakers sent little plastic bags with rice to the White House. The government never mentioned it at the time, but decades later, when some secret documents became abailable, it was discovered that the government had discussed this peaceful measssge at length. No effort made in good faith is wasted.
The weekends are away from the news for me. This weekend we will work out in the yard getting it ready for winter....I am starting to prune back roses....and I will cook a stew for the week on Sunday while listening to Sunday Brunch (10-1 PDT) on All Classical which you can stream. They are working to be inclusive in their music and so you will hear lots of composers and musicians that are new at least to me. I also read a lot staying away from political books. I am a mystery fan and right now I am reading about five female writers who the author calls outsiders...Mary Shelley, Emily Bronte, George Eliot, Olive Schreiner, and Virginia Woolf. I am fortunate in that I am retired and also an introvert, so I don't mind the COVID restrictions too much. We are getting our booster tomorrow.
I used to spend huge amounts of time reading historical romances or sewing. Now I have trouble focusing. I can’t get through a book because my mind won’t relax. Now I waste time playing iPad games and jumping back to the news. I’m working very hard at breaking that cycle.
I understand that problem. When I have monkey mind, it's time to do breathing exercises or meditation. Years ago when I found myself unable to focus and also had neck issues, I found reiki and that has helped me tremendously since. It hooks me into the energy of the universe as do the other things I mention in this post and that helps me to relax. Also I do not feel compelled to finish every book I start. If i can't get into it, I put it down. I have two, one on cotton slavery and one on the forced expulsion of Native Americans from the east to west of the Mississippi, that made me so angry that I had to put them down. I am sill not ready to take them up again.
I’m right there with you. Only I listen to audiobooks while I play, and don’t go to the news at all. I’ve had a very very difficult year on a personal level, and am finding that reading new fiction is just too much for me right now. I’m rereading old favorites. Sometimes on incessant repeat! Harry Potter got me through cancer treatment, and here I am, listening to it again.
It was perfect - so undemanding, entertaining without having to pay too much attention, and kept my mind from traveling to dark places. I hope it worked for you, too!
We watched the entire Harry Potter movies during my husbands recovery from prostate cancer surgery recovery. It was tough for him to go from working every day to nothing. I am trying to get back to sewing but the 500 Covid masks I made last year wiped me out so bad I couldn’t look at a machine again.
Wow, I’m impressed! I’m only able to cope with my little world right now. But our daughter is getting married in a few weeks, the weather is glorious, and I’m slowly getting our house back in order after eight months of inattention, as I feel able. It’s enough.
Disclaimer: Retired , although cared for beloved dad with dementia who lived with us almost 3 years before he passed away several months ago. I now have the emotional energy to do, as Annette, postcards, letters, emails. I live in a RED FL county so I connected with a neighboring FL House Rep who is young and progressive. Just reading her weekly updates gives me hope and suggests ways to help including voter reg at local colleges which could be fun.
I love to read, especially historical fiction. I try to read all my news to avoid the drama of the talking heads. Household rule is no television at dinner, just music and non-political convo. A lot of yoga, meditation/deep breathing especially with brain spin in the middle of the night. Daily gratitude…..and wine :)
Hi, again. Do you have any interest in joining a subset of this group for community and activism? We call ourselves "Heather's Herd". If so, just send an e-mail to heathersherd@gmail.com and I or Ellie Kona will respond.
We are kindred spirits for sure! Less news, more music, a mellow-glowing candle, and a glass or two of wine — perfect salve for such world-weary exhaustion!
Thanks for responding! I take loads of breaks but I still have a business and family to run… would love to hear more from others here what you are (or are not!) doing politically during this existential time…
Cara, I often feel like you do. I’m simply exhausted by all the threats and trying my damnedest to save democracy with postcards, letters, whatever. And I , too, feel like I’m neglecting my personal life. So what I’ve found helpful is to take breaks. Every Sunday, for example. One or two days during the week. I find doing something away every day doesn’t help as much, but full (or nearly full) days helps more. Also less news and more music. If you recharge your batteries they will propel you longer. Yesterday I went to the post office for a new supply of stamps and postcards and now I’m ready for another round of communications. Oh, and if this fits for you, a little wine doesn’t hurt either. Good luck.
During the Vietnam War, the Quakers sent little plastic bags with rice to the White House. The government never mentioned it at the time, but decades later, when some secret documents became abailable, it was discovered that the government had discussed this peaceful measssge at length. No effort made in good faith is wasted.
Wow
The weekends are away from the news for me. This weekend we will work out in the yard getting it ready for winter....I am starting to prune back roses....and I will cook a stew for the week on Sunday while listening to Sunday Brunch (10-1 PDT) on All Classical which you can stream. They are working to be inclusive in their music and so you will hear lots of composers and musicians that are new at least to me. I also read a lot staying away from political books. I am a mystery fan and right now I am reading about five female writers who the author calls outsiders...Mary Shelley, Emily Bronte, George Eliot, Olive Schreiner, and Virginia Woolf. I am fortunate in that I am retired and also an introvert, so I don't mind the COVID restrictions too much. We are getting our booster tomorrow.
I used to spend huge amounts of time reading historical romances or sewing. Now I have trouble focusing. I can’t get through a book because my mind won’t relax. Now I waste time playing iPad games and jumping back to the news. I’m working very hard at breaking that cycle.
I understand that problem. When I have monkey mind, it's time to do breathing exercises or meditation. Years ago when I found myself unable to focus and also had neck issues, I found reiki and that has helped me tremendously since. It hooks me into the energy of the universe as do the other things I mention in this post and that helps me to relax. Also I do not feel compelled to finish every book I start. If i can't get into it, I put it down. I have two, one on cotton slavery and one on the forced expulsion of Native Americans from the east to west of the Mississippi, that made me so angry that I had to put them down. I am sill not ready to take them up again.
I’m right there with you. Only I listen to audiobooks while I play, and don’t go to the news at all. I’ve had a very very difficult year on a personal level, and am finding that reading new fiction is just too much for me right now. I’m rereading old favorites. Sometimes on incessant repeat! Harry Potter got me through cancer treatment, and here I am, listening to it again.
Yes, totally relate- read Harry Potter during Chemo!
It was perfect - so undemanding, entertaining without having to pay too much attention, and kept my mind from traveling to dark places. I hope it worked for you, too!
Yes, great escape!
We watched the entire Harry Potter movies during my husbands recovery from prostate cancer surgery recovery. It was tough for him to go from working every day to nothing. I am trying to get back to sewing but the 500 Covid masks I made last year wiped me out so bad I couldn’t look at a machine again.
Wow, I’m impressed! I’m only able to cope with my little world right now. But our daughter is getting married in a few weeks, the weather is glorious, and I’m slowly getting our house back in order after eight months of inattention, as I feel able. It’s enough.
You ate a strong & amazing woman, Kathy!🌷❤🌷
Oy! ARE not ate
I rather like the "ate a strong woman". 🙂
Me too! 😂
❤️ thank you Daria. I wish I were a vegetarian so I could write a snappy comeback 😂
😉
Kathy, I hope those personal difficulties have waned or evaporated completely!
Thanks, Ashley! Yes, I’ve achieved the much hoped for “no evidence of disease” after chemo, radiation, and surgery.
Being retired makes all the difference! Thank you fir your midweek political work.
Disclaimer: Retired , although cared for beloved dad with dementia who lived with us almost 3 years before he passed away several months ago. I now have the emotional energy to do, as Annette, postcards, letters, emails. I live in a RED FL county so I connected with a neighboring FL House Rep who is young and progressive. Just reading her weekly updates gives me hope and suggests ways to help including voter reg at local colleges which could be fun.
I love to read, especially historical fiction. I try to read all my news to avoid the drama of the talking heads. Household rule is no television at dinner, just music and non-political convo. A lot of yoga, meditation/deep breathing especially with brain spin in the middle of the night. Daily gratitude…..and wine :)
Hi, Kathy.....which "red" county are you in? I am in red Pasco County.
Greetings from across the way.I’m on the east coast in Brevard County.
Hi, again. Do you have any interest in joining a subset of this group for community and activism? We call ourselves "Heather's Herd". If so, just send an e-mail to heathersherd@gmail.com and I or Ellie Kona will respond.
Annette,
We are kindred spirits for sure! Less news, more music, a mellow-glowing candle, and a glass or two of wine — perfect salve for such world-weary exhaustion!
Thanks for responding! I take loads of breaks but I still have a business and family to run… would love to hear more from others here what you are (or are not!) doing politically during this existential time…
Art, bookbinding, news moratoriums and pleasure reading (mystery fiction mostly).