Decorating for the holidays albeit very early and aggressive crafting have proven a good way to disconnect. Also, no news and unfollowing accounts that get my heart rate up at least for now. I need to cope and be healthy to be able to take on whatever the next stage is.
Thanks so much for this post, Pooja. I have been finding those "Did you hear he's going to..." conversations incredibly stressful. However, I have been finding grounding through daily walks, writing and check ins with good friends. I am also doing my best to focus on what is in my control and where can I find joy. I feel the pull of shrinking, isolating and doom scrolling, but I know that does not serve me. I appreciate your reflections! I am so grateful for your voice at this time.
Hi Steph, thank you for being here and for taking the time to write. All of this so resonates for me. I think we just have to keep putting one front in front of the other and, like you say too, lean on our practices. The noise will always be there and sometimes we get pulled in. Then we remember, and come back to our walking, our nourishing people, the things that keep us sturdy.
I have found it helpful to just state topic boundaries very clearly, even with people who may agree with me. I told my hairdresser at the moment I sat in the chair that I didn’t want to talk about the election as well as telling that to my parents before a 5 Hour road trip. nobody had a problem with it, and it was better than trying to change the subject.
Someone texted me about how stressed they were reading about who he was going to appoint his cabinet. while this strategy will not last forever, I politely told them I didn’t want to know and to please not tell me.
Funny you should mention distraction. I just wrote a piece about someone who was worried that the masses were following someone "condemned at a meaningless trial." But it's not today. It's 2,000 years ago. And he took to satire as a way of distraction and solace:
These are all good suggestions. But sometimes they can read like giving up. And you can have routine and comfort where you are still creating positive change. And I think this is the difference between checking out entirely and staying part of the solution while protecting yourself. For me, I am still going to PTO meetings where we are working for a second vote on the new school and raising money for field trips and angel funds. It is distraction because it is not national politics. It is comfort because there are people there who work hard to do good things for our kids, people I want to be around. But it is still working toward positive change. Find peace, but don't give up. It helps to know you make a difference.
Yes I agree. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and to write here’, Laura. This is something I am
Grappling with not only personally but also in how I show up to support my patients and my audience. I think it can be “both, and”. A follower on IG said something to the effect of - I need to find the pockets of peace and joy to be reminded of the life I’m fighting for. At least in my corners, we all know we need to keep with the doing and, at least at this time, it feels like there needs to be some gentleness. Agree that doesn’t mean stop with the doing. But breaks are OK and needed. My worry about going too quickly back into the “doing” is that we don’t take time to grieve and then that leads to reactivity and blaming/shaming when bumps come up, as they will because it’s life. Finally, I like what you said about being involved locally, and how that feels different than the national level. That’s an important distinction. Anyway, thank you. Appreciate you.
This is what I'm doing to cope: I'm listening to snippets of classical music: specifically solo piano works, to see if I can hear what I believe was the "theme" song to a radio program I listened to in the 70s. I don't just listen to snippets, I listen to entire pieces and then when I've had enough, I feel like I've distracted myself also, and can go on with daily living.
I am very late to this party but my coping strategy is kntting, more knitting and still more knitting. I only watch local news for the weather forecast and refuse to engage in "Did you hear" conversations.
Incredibly helpful advice, Pooja. I found #2 especially clarifying in why perhaps I’m feeling less viscerally impacted by last week’s events. In some way, maybe even subconsciously, I know we’re in for a wild ride. And there is perhaps more certainty in that than in 2016.
Decorating for the holidays albeit very early and aggressive crafting have proven a good way to disconnect. Also, no news and unfollowing accounts that get my heart rate up at least for now. I need to cope and be healthy to be able to take on whatever the next stage is.
Thanks so much for this post, Pooja. I have been finding those "Did you hear he's going to..." conversations incredibly stressful. However, I have been finding grounding through daily walks, writing and check ins with good friends. I am also doing my best to focus on what is in my control and where can I find joy. I feel the pull of shrinking, isolating and doom scrolling, but I know that does not serve me. I appreciate your reflections! I am so grateful for your voice at this time.
Hi Steph, thank you for being here and for taking the time to write. All of this so resonates for me. I think we just have to keep putting one front in front of the other and, like you say too, lean on our practices. The noise will always be there and sometimes we get pulled in. Then we remember, and come back to our walking, our nourishing people, the things that keep us sturdy.
Yes, absolutely! Thank you for your response, Pooja. Wishing you moments of ease today.
This is the most comforting and helpful piece I’ve read on what to do now. The mantra is especially helpful. Thank you for sharing.
I am *so* glad it helped
I have found it helpful to just state topic boundaries very clearly, even with people who may agree with me. I told my hairdresser at the moment I sat in the chair that I didn’t want to talk about the election as well as telling that to my parents before a 5 Hour road trip. nobody had a problem with it, and it was better than trying to change the subject.
Someone texted me about how stressed they were reading about who he was going to appoint his cabinet. while this strategy will not last forever, I politely told them I didn’t want to know and to please not tell me.
Funny you should mention distraction. I just wrote a piece about someone who was worried that the masses were following someone "condemned at a meaningless trial." But it's not today. It's 2,000 years ago. And he took to satire as a way of distraction and solace:
https://ancientwisdommodernlives.com/p/solace-in-satire-ancient-approach-modern-moral-decay
This is great. And I love your tagline. It always comes back to the ancient Gods, in the end, right ? Thanks for being here.
Needed this badly. Thank you, Pooja.
♥️
These are all good suggestions. But sometimes they can read like giving up. And you can have routine and comfort where you are still creating positive change. And I think this is the difference between checking out entirely and staying part of the solution while protecting yourself. For me, I am still going to PTO meetings where we are working for a second vote on the new school and raising money for field trips and angel funds. It is distraction because it is not national politics. It is comfort because there are people there who work hard to do good things for our kids, people I want to be around. But it is still working toward positive change. Find peace, but don't give up. It helps to know you make a difference.
Yes I agree. I really appreciate you taking the time to read and to write here’, Laura. This is something I am
Grappling with not only personally but also in how I show up to support my patients and my audience. I think it can be “both, and”. A follower on IG said something to the effect of - I need to find the pockets of peace and joy to be reminded of the life I’m fighting for. At least in my corners, we all know we need to keep with the doing and, at least at this time, it feels like there needs to be some gentleness. Agree that doesn’t mean stop with the doing. But breaks are OK and needed. My worry about going too quickly back into the “doing” is that we don’t take time to grieve and then that leads to reactivity and blaming/shaming when bumps come up, as they will because it’s life. Finally, I like what you said about being involved locally, and how that feels different than the national level. That’s an important distinction. Anyway, thank you. Appreciate you.
This is also so helpful to read 💜
Enjoyed your participation on WNYC yesterday afternoon.
Thanks for coming over!
This is what I'm doing to cope: I'm listening to snippets of classical music: specifically solo piano works, to see if I can hear what I believe was the "theme" song to a radio program I listened to in the 70s. I don't just listen to snippets, I listen to entire pieces and then when I've had enough, I feel like I've distracted myself also, and can go on with daily living.
creative, specific, and concrete. love it. thank you for sharing erika.
I am very late to this party but my coping strategy is kntting, more knitting and still more knitting. I only watch local news for the weather forecast and refuse to engage in "Did you hear" conversations.
Thanks for this space!
Incredibly helpful advice, Pooja. I found #2 especially clarifying in why perhaps I’m feeling less viscerally impacted by last week’s events. In some way, maybe even subconsciously, I know we’re in for a wild ride. And there is perhaps more certainty in that than in 2016.