I don’t even know how to say this anymore without sounding like a damn broken record, but ever since Trump got elected in November, my mental health has been slipping. And lately it’s not just slipping. It’s more like I jumped off a cliff and freefalling toward jagged rocks.
I’ve done everything I’m supposed to. I stay active. I run 3 to 5 miles on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I exercise 3 to 5 days a week. I spend time outside. I touch grass. But none of it works anymore. It just doesn’t take the edge off like it used to.
I know doomscrolling makes it worse. I know the news and social media are built to keep people angry and scared. I try to pull away from it. But even when I do, I get hit from another angle. My girlfriend sends me political messages all day long, like she’s trying to convince me of something I already agree with. I’ve told her to give me some space, but it doesn’t stop. It’s like she needs me to be in constant panic mode with her, and I just can’t do it anymore.
Lately I find myself dreading conversation. I don’t even want to hear another human voice. I’m tired in a way I don’t know how to fix.
I thought retirement was going to bring me some peace. I’ve worked hard my whole life. I thought I had earned some quiet. Instead, the world keeps getting louder, and none of the things I used to do to cope are cutting it.
Is anybody else feeling this way?
I‘m mentally fine, but I’m worried - every single day. They only thing you can do is not to let it eat you whole.
Sport and touching grass is good start, but it’s not enough. Are you an American? Start planning how to get out of there. It will be getting worse, much worse. You can also think of stuff were you can do something to contribute helping others.
Curate your online presence. Get news from a mix of reputable news sources. Try to use your phone less. Do some journaling to sort your thoughts.
Personally I go more and more analogue recently. I write with a fountain pen in an old fashioned Leuchtturm journal. I bought an old canon camera und take pictures on film. I even bought a typewriter on a flea market for 5 bucks, but I haven’t used it yet.
The only reason I’m on Lemmy is I want to support a reddit alternative and I want to stay in touch with recent developments. And of course because of memes.
This isn’t a realistic option for most people. On an individual basis, it’s expensive and difficult if not nearly impossible for many people. On a macro level, there is simply nowhere so many of us can go.
What exactly is a realistic option for most people?
Nobody said it’s easy. It might be easier now than at a later point.
So you’re saying better be quick and be among the first?