Is anyone else just really tired?

[AirmensMom]

I suffer from fatigue on a good day. But this year I'm having a hard time putting one foot in front of the other. The daily energy-suck of this administration, worrying about nuclear war, whether the repugs will let MF45 skate for his crimes (they did), the economy, the virus, the election, all are very draining.

It's hard to exercise, but I've worked out every single day for over 3 years. It's my "I don't give a shit about anything else" time. And I cook and garden and do other things to distract myself. Right now, I'm sewing masks. And it helps to do something even when I don't have the energy. Just stay away from heavy machinery.

I sleep well most nights, and I wake up feeling pretty good for just a split second, until my waking brain reminds me that we are in a worse nightmare than I ever imagined on that horrible day in 2016 when it was clear that we would have a monster in our White House who would endanger the lives of every one of us over at least the next 4 years. I don't post on FB anymore, but I did put my photo as just a black square on day 1 and vowed to leave it like that until our country got back on its right footing.

This year was supposed to be a good one. It was the year we paid off our mortgage, our daughter is graduating with her master's degree, and our friends were going to visit us from Germany. Well, we did pay off the mortgage, which is a good thing. Daughter is likely graduating, although she's been learning and teaching from home for several weeks. The award she earned will not be presented at a banquet, and she won't have a graduation ceremony. Normally, we would be celebrating. We couldn't even have a beer with her when she passed her oral exams yesterday. Our friends can't visit. Even before coronavirus, it was not worth the risk while people were being turned around at someone's whim because of all the shit that comes out of the orange anus. And I'm still nervous about the election delivering another 4 years of this. I've learned not to ever ask how much worse it can get.

Yet, we still have an income and we're still healthy. Everyone we know still has an income and is still healthy. We are thankful for that. Still, it feels as if we'll never get out of this rabbit hole and it's exhausting. We grieve for those who have lost loved ones and are intensely aware of how much the last thing they need is social distancing. We are aware that even before this, so many families were one paycheck away from disaster and now they have that disaster.

It's just all so much. And it's making me more fatigued than ever.

[cilla4progress]

1. Holding you in my heart.

Know you are not alone!!❤❤

[Guilded Lilly]

2. Yes. Extremely tired. Weary. Sending you some virtual white light. n/t

[customerserviceguy]

3. Some days I feel like that

I felt that way this morning. But, I finally got my butt back in front of the keyboard, and am at least communicating with folks here.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. So many celebrations are not happening right now.

Eventually, when all this is over, I expect there will be massive parties and celebrations to make up for all we're missing.

And you just made me realize that, depending on how long this goes on, when my son completes his PhD in a year or two, he may not have a graduation either.

[thucythucy]

5. Absolutely!

I have fatigue issues related to my disability, but these days (weeks months years!) it's been so much worse.

What's more, my non-disabled friends report the same thing.

Fatigued, depressed, overwhelmed. It's like we're all suffering some form of PTSD.

Best wishes.

[ThoughtCriminal]

6. I need evil to take a really long vacation

It's not that I'm out there fighting it all day, every day. It's just exhausting to deal with the feelings of outrage and disgust. Constantly.

Every single day, there is a new scandal, acts of cruelty and stupidity, staggering corruption and lies that we should only witness a few times in our lifetime.

This is not just the most corrupt and inept administration in U.S. history. It is probably more corrupt than all previous COMBINED. And when you look at the last few Republican Presidents, that is a remarkable achievement.

Enough!

[peggysue2]

7. I absolutely identify

I've been having major insomnia attacks for weeks now. I was already in a funk following my sister's death in late January. The pandemic crisis has just made it worse. Sleeping late into the morning or clocking out during the middle of the day doesn't really help, just throws my body clock further into disarray.

So yes, I keep trying to put one foot in front of the other, force myself to accomplish tasks but it's as if a massive weight is sitting on my shoulders. I'm worried about my kids, friends and extended family who are all 700 miles way. Some very bad health news about our first expected grand baby (a girl, Cassandra) has only added to the sense of grief and weariness.

I'd like to rip up the calendar for 2020. Awful year so far.

That being said, my husband and I are still healthy though we're in the vulnerable age bracket and hubby has underlying medical conditions.

The Pollyanna side of my personality says: It could be worse. Still . . .

[Jeebo]

8. The cabin fever is seriously getting to me.

I love to travel, and now I not only can't go anywhere, I can't even leave the house. It's only been a month. What's it going to be like after six months? After a whole year? Right now, I'm just trying to deal with it one day at a time.

-- Ron

[Boomerproud]

9. Sending healing to you and all that deserve it.

It's all I can do.

[Ohiogal]

10. I identify with everything you said 100%

If we can boot this orange anus out of the White House, it will be like a switch is flipped. Some days the anxiety and worry are just so draining.

[nancy1942]

11. God yes.

[PlanetBev]

12. I miss my Silver Sneakers class

I feel so much better when I’m exercising. I am trying to walk everyday.

[MLAA]

15. I miss my gym also. Walking but can't seem to self motivate to do anything more 🙂

[CanonRay]

13. Yes, but Trump wants us that way

so I refuse to give in to it. Look forward to November.

[vlyons]

14. You might be anemic

Go see a Dr and get a check-up. Get blood pulled to see if you are anemic. Eat your spinach.

[Locrian]

57. or thyroid - been there done that - n/t

[yaesu]

16. I went for a long walk around fields staying as far away from people as I can. My only problem is

I have cut down my food intake & my energy level just isn't there for long walks anymore.

[DENVERPOPS]

17. Excellent Post AM

Couldn't better describe how most of us feel everyday. It's like watching an extreme train wreck that just keeps going on and going on.

Each and every day my biggest problem is to get motivated to do anything

[Mickju]

18. Yes

Same

[Kerrycrat]

19. I've all but given up on watching the news

And am very careful what I read. I don’t need any more “oh my god look at this!” news.

I’m already doing what I can to stay safe. If I read too much I’m afraid I’ll end up curled up in a ball somewhere

[MoonlitKnight]

20. I am on Daylight Wasting Time

Stay up all night and sleep all day.

[mnhtnbb]

34. You made me laugh. Thanks for that.

[soldierant]

38. I identify.

I'm not quite there yet. But, since I am retired and don't need to be ay particular place at any scheduled time for the foreseeable future, I have thrown scheduling out and decided I will sleep when I d*** well please, for as long as I d*** well please. It turns out to be more than usual, and possibly less refreshing than normal, whatever normal is. But it's sort of working.

[Phoenix61]

21. Just a thought.

I’ve always been high energy and active until about a year ago. Then just exhausted all the time. Recently went for my yearly check up and mentioned it to my doc. She ran a Vitamin D test and bingo, vitamin D deficient. I’ve been taking supplements for about 5 weeks now and feeling like my old self. I wouldn’t have thought it could make that much of a difference.

[H2O Man]

22. Frequently.

Recommended.

When I came in from trying to do a bit of prep-work on my garden, my son asked how it was going? I said slow and tired. He said that he had gathered that from seeing me walking to the house. I'm used to be physically more prone to tiring quickly, due to age. But I'm mentally tired this week, which is unusual.

[Lonestarblue]

23. I waffle between utter dejection and optimism that we can resuscitate our country.

With 70+ years and multiple presidential administrations in my lifetime, I am often flummoxed at how the hell we got here. Trump must disappear into the annals of history, but the effort to rebuild this country seems overwhelming. It will take enormous effort to erase the damage Trump has created.

[Initech]

29. I will do my part!

I was a Bernie supporter and I am sad to see him go, but I will work my ass off to help get Biden elected and throw Trump and the GOP into the dust bin of history!

[jeffreyi]

24. No, but I really want a beer!

Gotta watch that, so easy to overdo right now...

[barbtries]

25. yes, it is hard. my mind is consumed thinking about it.

On Saturday all of my children and grandchildren and i had a #CoronavirusReunion via Zoom Meeting. Have you considered that to celebrate your daughter's fabulous accomplishments? You can dress up, decorate the space, offer a toast, etc. You can even invite some of her friends to join you.

When I think about going through this in 1918, it's hard to imagine. I am so thankful for technology.

[GulfCoast66]

26. No. The wife and I are both being furloughed.

In 2 weeks. Although we will both still have good health benefits and will be fine.

But not feeling tired.

And I’m sorry you are. Make sure you are getting proper nutrition.

[AirmensMom]

27. Wow! I never expected this kind of response!

I'd love to answer each one individually. It's comforting, in a strange, sad, way, that I'm not alone in how I'm feeling. My best wishes and light to all of you!

As for exercise, there are plenty of online streaming ones to try. I do Beachbody, which has something for every level, and I do it in my home. (Yes, I know ... marketed to conservative stay-at-home moms. But it's still good.) Something like that is worth a try while we're housebound.

And I'm not anemic or deficient in any vitamins, but thank you for your kind suggestions. I've been tested and have regular medical care. This is purely a result of the strain from our current circumstances.

Bottom line is that it's robbing me, and apparently most of you, of the joy of living. And as tired as I am, I still can appreciate this wonderful community.

[Initech]

28. No but I've been battling some serious mental fatigue since the pandemic started.

I am not handling quarantine well and I am going seriously stir crazy being at home all the time. It's reactivated my depression and I've been taking anti-anxiety medication but even that's not helping.

I refuse to accept this reality as a "new normal". I don't want to go out in public dressed like I'm about to perform neurosurgery. I'm tired of being constantly bombarded with reminders to stay at home and wash my hands and scrubbing and disinfecting literally every surface I come across.

I am tired of the news being all about the virus 24 hours a day with no break, there's no sports and no distractions. Reruns and leftovers are getting to the point where I can barely stomach them.

I keep hoping that there's going to be a light at the end of the tunnel but every day it seems that I have my hopes dashed and that triggers an up and down whirlwind of emotions. I just want things to go back to normal and I can get back to my old life as fast as possible and as safe as possible.

[Hekate]

30. Seems lke a normal response to me...

Exhaustedly yours,
Hekate

[ancianita]

31. Absolutely. You're far from alone.

Last edited Thu Apr 9, 2020, 11:02 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm in a similar family, economic and health state as you and am thankful for that.

I am so weary of the insult to injury drama we've collectively suffered to the point of PTSD over the last three years. I wake up every day wondering what fresh hell awaits. On the outside, cheery. On the inside, weary. Every day.

I just want good old boring good government again. Can I haz that? Just a government that's honest, dependable and representative enough of Americans, on good terms with other countries? Will we ever again get past this horror?

Just the thought that we may never have a constitutional democracy again adds even more weight and darkness to my days.

For now all I can say is, may we survive and thrive after this body and soul killing time.

Thank you for your post. I have to go lie down.

[shanti]

61. +1

[NoRoadUntravelled]

32. Thank you for posting this. Definitely resonates with me.

It is exhausting. Congratulations on maintaining a healthy routine. It's not easy to push past the daily feelings of dread this administration so generously supplies us with and move above it or in spite of it to do the things we know are healthy for us.

I don't know what's going to happen through all of this or what our country will look like when both this administration and the virus are through wreaking havoc. But I do know that the human spirit is resilient, creative and persevering. I know we're stronger than we believe we are. I know we've got an opportunity here to hook up with like minds to support and encourage one another.

We're going through tough times. No doubt. I keep reminding myself that so many of the advances we've made, both personally and collectively, have come out of devastatingly trying circumstances. We've done it before, we'll do it now. One step at a time.
Together.

[thegoose]

33. Yes!

I wake up at 7:30 and just lay there until it's 10:30 and then I drag my ass out of bed to post my clients' social media communications.

I used to wake up at 6:00, ready to go...

[MontanaMama]

35. Yep. I've been sleeping 10 hours a night.

Now that I don't have to get my kiddo to driver's ed at 6am, school at 7am and myself to my work right after that, I don't get up early any more. My therapist says that her patients and those of her associates are reporting the same...folks are exhausted and a little depressed. I am trying to take things slower...rest up when I can. We are in this for the long haul...this virus and the fight against it isn't going away soon..and in an election year to boot. We need to be strong for what's ahead.

[OnlinePoker]

36. I wish I could sleep

I'm averaging about 5 hours a night. I retired from the military 5 years ago and it's been like this for 2 years. The worst part is I always wake up around 2:30 and have to go to the bathroom and then can't get back to sleep after. By noon, I feel like a zombie and am that way until bedtime.

[Wounded Bear]

37. You know it. We're all in the same boat, trying to row with Trump shooting holes in the bottom...nt

[marlakay]

39. I feel ya and then some...

This morning I read I might not be crazy, the weird felt like I was dying cold/flu like nothing I ever had before with long lasting fever, cough, chest problems, etc that I had in December for a month might be this.

Stanford is doing a antibody testing on a bunch of people from CA and Oregon convinced it came earlier and the reason why CA and Oregon aren’t getting hit as bad is because a lot of us already had it or were exposed already.

If I ever found out that I already had it, then spent months in panic, sleepless nights, wiping everything down, afraid to leave my house, fear of dying, etc I might have a breakdown!

[love_katz]

62. That is interesting.

I will be extremely interested to learn what kind of conclusions the researchers come to. I seemed to be fighting viruses beginning last August, and that continued throughout the fall, winter and spring. It felt like I was getting over one version of the virus, only to get exposed to a different version that had incubated in someone else's body. I really hope the researchers publish their results.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

40. Yes, truly.

We just have to keep trudging, I guess. As best we can.

[mwooldri]

41. Yes. I'm tired.

Last few days I have felt absolutely fatigued.

[lilymidnite]

42. I was scheduled to retire on Oct 2

I'm weary and very discouraged.

We, too, just paid off our mortgage, which was happy day.

But. my life savings have been decimated. I was scheduled to retire on Oct 2. I haven't looked at the wreckage in the last several weeks. I just can't. There's just not enough time in my lifetime to recover. I've worked and saved for 50 years, living very frugally, being responsible. I went back to university to get a technical degree, so I could save. And now, to have it come to this.

[Ad Infinitum]

43. PACE

Of course we are. We unlike our enemy do experience sympathy, pity and empathy.




Republicans cannot expand their in group, only their out group.



They do not understand "global" anything. Many have never left the state they were born in.
They think it is a plus.

[LudwigPastorius]

44. I'm exhausted.

I'm the sole caregiver for my mom, who is 82 and has emphysema and asthma (among other health issues). I've been out of work for a month now, with no resumption of gigs in sight.

I think I can get by with what little savings I've got (and if the CARES act check comes through), but mostly I am worried that I'm going to bring this bug back to mom after a grocery run. I'm pretty sure, if she gets it, it would be a death sentence for her.

So, I just haven't been sleeping. I can get about 4 hours at a time, but I'll wake up and my mind just starts racing with worst case scenarios.

[Skittles]

51. your fatigue I can understand

just remember someone is always here on DU, LudwigPastorius.....we care

[LudwigPastorius]

52. Thanks, Skittles.

Peace

[LAS14]

45. No. It's clear people are very different and bad...

... news hits some worse than others. I'm sorry for what you're going through. Hubby and I are fortunate in that we've pretty much been sheltering in place since his retirement. I feel for people with different makeups, although I know you're not saying that's the only problem.

[Traildogbob]

46. Easy to feel that way

But, read the post from the Florida Nurse here on DU. Let's please reframe from complaining about not able to travel, go to gym or anything right now. Obviously that Nurse visits this site as do many. Until we are in their hell trying to save lives, but seeing multiple hopeless deaths daily, maybe tone down the wow is me's. We are ALL living in hell under this killer......the virus AND tRump/GOP. But nobody is hurting like our medical professionals. My daughter has been in school for 7 years, busting her ass to become a career nurse like her mom that passed from cancer when she was 10. She started in Trauma at Asheville hospital this week. She is terrified, as am I. Afraid our government will get her killed while trying to save us. Not such a GREAT America, is it?

[lunatica]

47. Yes. Feeling wrung out

But, just to point out the upside about feeling like this, it shows we aren’t heartless, self serving, egotistical narcissistic assholes who find a way of capitalizing on the misery and death of others.

And it also shows us that Americans are frigging awesome when it comes to helping each other during times when we need it most. The great majority of us are turning out to be good, kindhearted, giving and caring human beings. It’s time we all acknowledge that we are not the ugly Americans.

When we’re finally able to we will rally and fight Trump and his poisonous minions and we will win.

[Jamastiene]

48. I have felt that way for a long time now.

Before this all started, I have been tired.

Once I counted up presidents in the last 49 years, my lifetime, and realized the Republican to Democrat ratio there, everything has been tiresome to even think about. That is not a good statistic to learn or know. That, plus the only family member or person in the world who ever gave a shit about me dying last October has pretty much set me on a course to being a skeletal find one day when the government comes to take my property because I died and could not pay my taxes any more. At least, I won't be leaving any of the worthwhile, important people (translated: everyone else in the world) any kind of mess as a skeleton and the fire ants will finally have the feast they wanted without me swatting them.

Yeah, I'm tired. Very tired.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

49. Have you read the Shock Doctrine - also look for The Dictators Playbook on PBS.

The barrage of "shocks" we are experiencing and the ongoing chaos and confusion, the fomenting of conflict and polarization and hatred between us is intentional. Drump is the obvious and visible cause of a lot of this, but dont forget the mainstream Repub party is wholeheartedly enabling him and the links to far rw fascist and white supremacist elements are well documented

Who knows how is Russian disinformation coming from Russian sources , or how much is homegrown fascism (probably both) but.... it doesnt matter, the effect is all the same. People just get confused and tired and give up.

I dont know about you, but for me it kind of helps to understand the larger forces that are in play....and how vital it is that we DONT give up and just let them dismantle our democracy.

[Baclava]

50. Naps, i had two naps today, after falling asleep on the couch last night, 6 hrs there tops

[intheflow]

53. You're describing depression.

Worn down from three years of 45 & Co. undermining the Constitution and exploiting their power for personal gain. And while we're all navigating that, we get hit with a global natural disaster and 45's petty ass-fuckery of the hard-hit liberal areas - also for his own gain. Everything has changed so much for the worse at warp 9 speed - the economy, all forms of equality and equity, human rights, and now tens of thousands of people dying in our country... of course your brain just want to go to sleep and make it all go away for a bit.

I'm not kidding about the depression. Being over-tired is an early warning sign. Be kind to yourself, and know you are definitely not the only one.

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml

[CountAllVotes]

54. I am worried, exhausted and broke

I had no choice but to go out and shop yesterday and I'm not supposed to go out, but I did as there was little food left so, yeah, I went out and bought what I could.

Now I can worry for the next few weeks to see if I caught "it".

As frosting for the cake, the hot water heater went out and I had to get a plumber here to replace it with a new one TODAY.

This is simply to damn much for me.

Between the contaminated face masks I had bought from a seller on ebay that said they were in the USA and a bunch of other crap, I too am exhausted, scared, fed-up, etc.

I think I'm going to go away for a long long time.

This whole thing is making me sick.

I throw up food when I try to eat so I won't last long!

Sickening reality.

[shanti]

63. It's definitely surreal

[Tink41]

55. Ive felt that way

For several weeks. I quit smoking 2 yrs ago and had one more goal to meet after that. I spent this evening getting myself pumped up to start working towards my last dragon to slay. I had seen the RHCP live a few years ago. The band members are a few years older than myself, and I was impressed with their fitness on stage. I wanted to get back to that. I know I can, I'm using the utter hopelessness of the current situation to compel myself to accomplish something, anything really.
My job has completely shutdown I don't see going back to work for months, the side gig i would do in past years doesn't exist right now . Vacations out of question, so only one thing to do.

[druidity33]

56. Yes. K&R, nt.

[Aussie105]

58. Hey Mr Tallyman, tally me banana . .

Yep, woke this morning with this song playing in my head. (Harry Belefonte, long ago)

Third day this has happened, different songs each time. Just fragments, with additional bits rising to the surface as my mind races.

Been there before, and i know what it is. Pure lack of stimulation. Mind trying to keep itself tuned up so I don't fall apart completely.

But it's more than boredom and tiredness, it's pure depression. You need to go with it, not fight it too much, accept it as it is, and that it will get better.

In the few hours a day I can get my act together, I do things. Do the dishes, get out in the yard, clean up, do some mowing, tree pruning. Keeping busy keeps the fog away.

Stupid thing is, I retired 6 years ago and enjoyed the solitude up to now. Weekly serious shopping, few other short trips out during the week for minor things, pretty much it. No different now. Cashed up, reasonably healthy. No job to worry about, no money problems.

So what is different? What is depressing?

1. The news of the deaths.
2. The shut downs.
3. The Trump train doing it's insane thing.
4. Shops closed, restaurants closed, picture theatres closed. Restricted potential to do things.

and lots more.

If you are feeling tired, bored, mentally fuzzy, disorganized, afraid, there are plenty of reasons to feel that way.

Accept it, go with it. It will pass.

Now, to look for things to do. Some tree prunings to chop up, front lawn needs a 1 inch trim, yep, busy busy!

[sakabatou]

59. Yep, but it may be due to my meds

[Aussie105]

60. Meds?

If you have slowed right down in your lifestyle, you may need to cut back some to compensate.

But you need to talk to your doctor about that - over the phone of course -I wouldn't want you do to anything that may be harmful.
It really depends on which meds you are on.

I'm a type 2 diabetic with blood pressure problems. I monitor both conditions myself, and have found I can cut back on both meds without getting either my blood sugar or blood pressure being affected.
Less active means I'm eating less and exercising less.

(Off to check both now)

[sakabatou]

64. Er, no, one of the side effects of my meds is tiredness/drowsiness