Taking a break from DU for a bit

[vercetti2021]

Honestly with the amount of news lately and posts attacking whomever. I can't take it anymore. My anxiety and depression is already skyrocketed in the last month and I feel is going to get worse. It's hard not to feel like everything is a lost cause now.

I don't fault anyone here for being passionate about their candidate of choice. It's the constant who will lose and lose big to Trump. I can't keep up with trying to feel like everything will be okay when its not.

[Karadeniz]

1. Are you taking walks?

[ret5hd]

26. Best advice out there.

I walk till my head is clear. Some days it takes 10 miles with a 30 lb pack. Some days not so much. But it always works.

I am fortunate I have the time.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. Not a bad idea from time to time.

We'll still be here - rest up!

[redstatebluegirl]

3. I do it from time to time, it helps.

I also stop watching and reading the news for a few days.

[MaryMagdaline]

4. I don't blame you. I'm struggling myself.

Don’t worry we’ll be here for you when you return. You deserve to clear your head.

[polichick]

5. Good to get away from all the crazy news sometimes...

I just took a few days for a nature and music immersion and it was awesome.

Best to you!

[Coventina]

6. I've taken years-long breaks from DU. It's OK.

I've been here since 2002, gosh, has it really been 18 years?!?!

Taking a break when needed is healthy.

[mobeau69]

9. Maybe you just need to smoke a a nice big bone.

Hang in there, it doesn't last long.

[blm]

7. To thine self be true

[Evergreen Emerald]

8. I have not watched the news since the Senate debacle.

I cannot stomach it. I have just recently ventured from the kitty pictures. And I find myself getting so angry and scared. I have been looking for houses in Vancouver BC.

[lynintenn]

12. I can relate

I need a break from it all.

[Skittles]

10. taking a break can be very therapeutic

yes indeed

[Arkansas Granny]

11. Sometimes you need to step away. Relax, take care of yourself.

[Newest Reality]

13. When you return...

Consider taking the stance and view of a sociologist. Put your own biases aside, (maybe in a little box next to your computer so you can grab them anytime) and observe the actions, reactions, behaviors and responses of people here. What are humans doing? What kinds are there? Why do they do what when and how?

That way, it can also be a valuable and interesting learning experience that leads to insights rather than frustration and anxiety. Sometimes, anxiety is an anticipation of the future that we project from the present. It can become a feedback loop like a haywire thermostat going on as fast as it goes off. Sometimes, depression can the past as we make comparisons to what was or should have been, which is no longer. So, when can get caught ruminating and wobbling to and fro between the two.

Now? This is always what it is right now. We can't change what immediately is and looking at it as if we can increases our neurosis because it is impossible. We can be peaceful now, but not later or before.

There are three sane options, (anything else can drive you bonkers eventually. The first is to accept the situation as it is right now if you can't change or leave it. The second is to change the situation if you can't accept it or leave it. The third is to leave the situation if you can't accept it or change it.

That may help. I find it increasingly profound and very relaxing. It is what it is and this is more like now than it ever was before.

Enjoy your break!

[malaise]

14. Hint - stay out the Primaries forum

GD or the Lounge are fine

[TwilightZone]

18. Agreed.

That would solve about 95% of the DU-related issues. Or more.

[Marie Marie]

36. Ditto that Malaise.

[malaise]

43. I don't go near there

[stillcool]

15. it's so easy to get sucked in...

becomes a nightmare. Got to remember to look for the good.

[doc03]

16. That's good sometimes. I watch very little cable news anymore I am so

sick of the constant bombshell news alerts about the last Trump outrage. It just isn't worth it anymore
we know we are totally powerless to do anything. We aren't even sure if our elections are safe today. This
must be the feeling the Germans had when Hitler came to power. We just have to win this election no matter
who ends up as our nominee or our Democracy is finished. This morning on CNN they showed a poll that
has Trump up 7 points or more over any Democrat in Wisconsin. I just don't understand it doesn't matter what the SOB does
they still support him. Every damn Republican should be charged with treason.

[Dem2theMax]

17. I have thought of doing exactly the same thing.

I avoid most of the political shows on TV. I don't read the newspaper. And some days I just have to put down my phone and stay away from DU.

I totally understand what you are doing. You need to do self-care right now. Go spoil yourself and relax, and we will be here when you are ready to get back into it.

[cwydro]

19. Stay out of primaries forum lol.

I totally understand.

[Raftergirl]

20. It's good to take a break

every once in awhile. I can tell immediately when I need to do it. I avoid everything political except for reading the NYT each morning.

I’ve found yoga to be immensely helpful, too.

[Evolve Dammit]

21. I totally understand. You expect the viscousness from the other side; not from within this forum.

[bucolic_frolic]

22. Read a good book, an FDR bio, to recharge the batteries

Jean Edward Smith, and Nigel Hamilton wrote two recent and very good ones. They will improve your understanding of democracy!

[tavernier]

23. I joined pre-dubya

(my user name then was KeysDisease). I had to leave after Kerry lost because my husband sincerely asked me to shut politics out of our lives until I could stop obsessing and depressing myself and all around me. I joined a theater group and immersed myself in the arts for the next four years. I could actually feel myself becoming mentally and physically stronger.

Although I have strong negative emotional moments ever since this madness has come upon us, I’m much better at coping. But I’ll know if it’s time to leave again for a spell.
But I will be at the polls, though, you can count on that.

[Crunchy Frog]

44. I don't think there was a pre-dubya.

I'm pretty sure that the site began on the day of the inauguration, but maybe I've got that wrong.

I had a major psychological collapse when we invaded Iraq, but that was right around the time that I found DU, and it helped just to know that there were other people who felt the same way I did.

[badhair77]

24. I have taken breaks also.

Plus at bedtime I head for the puppy videos or I’d never sleep.

[yaesu]

25. I like to use humor when I can to deflect the negativity as you can find humor in just about any

subject if you look hard enough.

[VarryOn]

28. I agree...

We need more humor on DU, perhaps.

[bullwinkle428]

27. I can't blame you a bit, as the Primaries Forum is a freaking hell-hole right now. I really have

just one question to ask those that are doing the most to contribute to the toxic atmosphere that perpetuates the place right now...

"How does your hatred for candidate (fill in the blank) increase the chances of the Democratic party winning back the White House this November?"

And please understand how I'm defining these terms - "vetting" does NOT equal "hatred".

[paleotn]

29. I feel exactly like you do.

Pogo sums it up best....We've met the enemy and he is us. It's ours to lose if we don't stand together. And if we don't, the babies in cages or worse are on us this time.

[ancianita]

30. Hang in there.

[mountain grammy]

31. I hear you.

Feeling the same here.

[tiredtoo]

32. "The dark days are not coming, the dark days are here"

From Rachel Maddow tonight.

[vercetti2021]

42. I'm 29

I dont wanna live in a country where my life will be nothing but fascist hell. I'd rather die

[Tumbulu]

33. Good idea, and I started watching this psychic on YouTube named Linda and that has helped me so much

It has helped me calm down to hear someone say not to worry and that T will be gone and that so and so is sick . And who cares if it is all made up. Or real. I don’t. It is just helping me to hear a fellow Democrat with a calm voice and a kind heart talk about all these things. Because I am so so so upset and crazy worried and in grieving mode for our civil servants and the long lasting damage to our system of governance that these monsters have so joyously inflicted upon us.

Rest up in any way that works for you.

[Warpy]

34. Careful, my last break turned into two years.

I agree, that constant "electability" drumbeat is depressing, not to mention infuriating.

Whoever wins is the nominee. Everybody on the debate stage is better than the piece of garbage we have now, even Bloomberg.

Just give it a rest and GOTV when we have a nominee.

[gibraltar72]

35. I am convinced we are best by trolls.

[catbyte]

37. Sorry, but I avoid the Primaries Forum like the plague. I've tried commenting occasionally

and I felt like a few folks were gonna bit my head right off. Duck and cover, that's my motto. I'm much saner for it, too.

[Sea Turtle]

38. (((Hugs)))

Perhaps join another forum that keeps politics out of it. I belong to several hobby forums which strictly forbid politics or anything outside of the hobby. It is nice to just be able to talk about hiking or paddling or whatever and leave the controversy behind.

Find things to do where you can work with others to help people. I started a thread about Jimmy Carter being the greatest ex president of all time. I marvel at how he has brought people from all political persuasions to join him for a common cause to help our fellow men. Find something locally where you can help others. When we reach out to pull others up, it lifts us up too.

[iluvtennis]

39. Do it. We all have to take breaks or else our mental health will deteriorate.

See you when you get back

[Quixote1818]

40. I should do the same thing but seem to keep coming back. Take care of yourself first! nt

[Vivienne235729]

41. I totally understand. I just came back from a 3 yr hiatus. And already 1 mo

Into it and I am already feeling a little fatigued. There is just SO MUCH and it's very hard to keep up and keep sane.

[CTyankee]

45. I am going back to swimming. My alma mater has an Olympic sized pool right here in New Haven

and I always loved the big pool. Now I am resuming my swims -3 times a week starting in March.
Nothing strenuous, just a good paced crawl and doing laps. And I have started writing another book.

I have a good friend who is getting his old musician friends together from all over the world for a jam in a recording studio here in CT this summer. I had encouraged him to DO IT NOW when I saw him drift into solitude because his disabilities left him unable to get out of his condo.

I am planning a trip to Spain with my daughter later in October. I love travel and used to go to Europe once a year. I miss those trips.

Look for ways in your life that can enrich and renew you, while still, like me, holding on for the best possible thing to happen in the fall: sending Dump back to hell where he came from!

You know, during the Bush years I started traveling to Europe for art history and I remember thinking "Oh boy, those Europeans are gonna hate me because of W. I'll have to tell them I never voted for him." It all worked out fine.

Other, better, people than me that I know are stepping up their voluntarism in the community.
I'll bet you can find one that will bring some happiness to people less fortunate than you. I was a Literacy Volunteer for many years and it was very rewarding!

Look forward to the day when Dump falls and meets his just reward at the hands of the electorate. We've seen him in action and we know he's doomed by his own propensity to lie and get caught.

It is only a matter of time. Hang in there.