There have been a lot of “will never recover” moments in my lifetime, but this one seems worse than most.
IF those responsible are held accountable and IF moral people get into charge for some time, I think the USA can recover.
For now I just try to scan the news to stay informed but not get absorbed in it, boycott people and organizations enabling this fascism, and do what I can locally to help, and just try to give myself unwind/unplug time in nature or doing something I enjoy.
Edit: In response to a reply that correctly pointed out that my post was the wrong tone for the thread, I’ve erased this post as best I can.
I don’t mean to junior-mod, but this thread is about trying to find ways to keep our mental health and improve our sanity as individuals, not list more reasons why our mental health should jump off a cliff.
You’re right. I edited out the content of that post. My bad on that.
I try to stay away from social media and news as much as possible. My computer broke a couple weeks ago so it’s much easier now since it’s harder for me to scroll and interact on my phone and tablets.
Thank you, Universe!
I have been trying to make my life as comfortable as possible by getting what I need, rearranging things, purging, trying out new perspectives, etc.
I try to find opportunities for lots of laughter.
If you haven’t already, go to a No Kings rally the next time they have one. It helps to know that there are plenty of other people who are pissed at Trump’s/GOP’s shenanigans and that you are not in this fight alone. Plus the signs are great, some people get very creative.
I remind myself that the shattering of illusions about the resilience of democracy and the rule of law is a kind of gift. It gives us the chance to reset our most basic political assumptions based on observed reality.
Well said.
I think it’s important to be comfortable saying to yourself, “Yeesh, why did I think that was a good idea?” without ceasing to love yourself and retain some confidence about how you’re doing.
This is important, but what also deeply matters is voting, volunteering and donating money.
in the midterms, only about 40% of eligible voters are going to turn out. So make sure you vote, but also make sure you vote in every election. General and primary. Federal, state and local. Presidential and midterm. In local primaries, the turnout can be as low as 10%. So make sure you vote in every election, not just once every 4 years.
Even if your candidate doesn’t win, knowing you at least showed up and tried does help you feel a little less helpless. About ~20 million people who voted for democrats in congress in 2024 will stay home and not bother to vote for democrats in congress in the 2026 midterm. Make sure you aren’t one of them, its good for your mental health to know you are trying to change things.
I always wanted a bumper sticker that said “If you didn’t vote, you don’t get to complain!”
Stay off social media. If you can’t accomplish that, at least do not get into extended “discussions” with raving loons. Correct/mock and move on.
On a positive note, garden and take your dog to the Dairy Queen for an ice cream.
I pretend I’m living in a dystopian video game or movie. Lately it’s been a struggle to not take on the role of Nada from They Live–seeing nefarious subtext in every commercially sponsored communication, and seeing commercially sponsored communication in even ostensibly private events. I see very clearly what the situation is, how normal people believe themselves free when in actuality they are just the plantation snitches who coerce compliance from others in exchange for a slightly looser chain. I am starting to see “mental health” as the grease in the slaughter machine–it keeps us reasonable in unreasonable times where reason is a wholly inappropriate response. We are actively watching our house being robbed while we pretend to be fettered by rules which no longer apply. This is the time for insatiable madness, but instead we avoid it like someone willing to burst their own bladder rather than urinate outside of a restroom.
So…I guess I don’t really have any tips or tricks, just an admonition to abandon mental health and let raw nature take charge.
It helps to be incredibly busy. Between work and parenting, my news input is naturally throttled. I avoid click bait and currently my news options are limited to the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the Economist. I’m definitely not on social media. I usually have YouTube and the Straight Dope completely Bricked.
There are entire days that pass where I don’t think about politics. It’s nice.