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 going to lightly disagree with most of the comments in this post. The states (likely the world) is getting ready for a big transition. I don’t think that’s something that can (or should tbh) be ignored. As in, cutting yourself off from the news completely isn’t a realistic way to get closer to that peace you’re looking for. I think the way to keep the dread from consuming you is to know that you’re doing your part in countering bad actors.
That doesn’t mean you have to become a freedom fighter or a protest organizer. I like what the guy with the goats was talking about in connecting with his community. Or you can volunteer with an organization that brings food to the homeless or whatever. Maybe start a community garden (or edible forest). Something big or small that helps you feel you’re making the world a better place even just in your own little piece of it, even if you limit to a day or two each week.
Then the bad news becomes a little easier to cope with. Because even though you’re never going fix the world by yourself (that can only happen collectively), at least you know you’re doing what you can to help. At least for me, that helps the noise quiet down enough to take the time to get lost in a book or something.
I think the rest of the comment stands on its own but something that didn't make it in that I want to be clear
Hyperindividualism is a large part of what is wrong with modern society. Yes, we need our alone time, my introverted ass fully recognizes that. But we’re still social creatures and truly can’t meaningfully survive on our own. Isolating yourself long term will only further deteriorate your mental health. Community is the best and only way to get out of the situation we find the world in. The anarchist version of that is building a community that can provide all the needs to the members of it. The socialist version is political organizing. The liberal version is calling politicians. The conservative version is ignoring it and staying isolated.