Bluesky is full of angst today, which I understand, and I made a statement about my own feelings earlier. I am not inclined to keep doomscrolling there though and “hearting” everyone’s misery for days on end. That won’t help me get past this, and I need to move on. I am certainly not going to spend years screaming about an election like some folks have done ~ I would rather continue to enjoy life despite what happened. Since there aren’t enough cute kitty photos to counteract the downer vibes on Bluesky, I’m taking a mental health break from that site.
As far as Facebook goes, I actually “know” most of the folks on my friends list and don’t want to abandon the sad ones, but again there’s only so much negativity I can observe/absorb before I turn into a useless blob. In 2016/17, I sank into a dark depression (and not just because of the election), and I don’t want to go there again. When I pop into FB, I will focus on the book club posts, as they are full of good energy, and when I start getting bummed from the main feed… time to close the app.
In meatspace, I have friends and family and coworkers with a variety of political beliefs… and I am OK with this. There are some memes going around demanding that people cut ties with anyone who voted differently from them, but nope! Not happening. Btw, I do have lines and limits, but the fact that someone voted for a different party isn’t enough, in itself, for me to dump them.
There are still plenty of things to enjoy! Don’t let the political process steal happiness from you. Or go ahead and let it, if you want to, but I won’t be joining in.
I have to cut some of the meatspace people off. Right now, it's my neighborhood book club, as I've heard one too many little snippets of thinly veiled racism coming out of their Christian mouths. Not putting up with that and smiling at them. FUCK THAT. I'm done doomscrolling, got that over in one day, and, like you, I feel like it's important to go on living life as best I can. Right now, a lot of us are going through the "stages of grief" and its at our own pace. You plowed through more quickly than many, and that's a good thing, but give the rest of us our time. You don't have to read it or like it; just be patient. I worry about the people that will struggle to process this for months, so I plan to be there for them in whatever way I can.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a good point. I do sometimes cycle quickly, but sometimes the sadness/anger returns because I merely pushed it aside without actually processing it. I just feel that, for me, right now, continuing to vent/read about this particular shitty thing won’t help me. But I certainly wouldn’t unfriend anyone just because they’re venting!
ReplyDeleteNo racism though. I would definitely exit that book club.
I think we all need to pull back, tend to our wounds, and give ourselves time to get over the shock. I am so sorry this is the outcome of the US election, and so angry that so many (too many) people don't seem to understand how risky this is. Here in Europe, the thinking seems to be that Trump is a known entity so no biggie. Project 2025 has not been discussed here. I hate being on this side of history. OTOH, our side did eventually bounce back and win.
ReplyDeleteMany hugs from Norway!
I don't believe in cutting off people over politics either. That's one of the worst things about the age we live in. And, yes, stop scrolling when it stops being fun (I am bad at this, but not generally for political reasons).
ReplyDeleteI quit the club this morning and was sort of vague about it. If the woman who organized the club asks, I'm going to tell her why. - N
ReplyDeleteThanks Keera! Hugs welcomed 🩷
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