Thank you for this! I’ve worked as a TV news writer and producer since 1989 - so literally I live inside the news, all day every day for 36 years. But I’ve also found volunteering (and baking! Sometimes both together!) has helped channel anger or helplessness into doing something useful for someone else, which seems a more positive outcome! Also I focus on Ukraine and spend my emotional energy there. You can’t do everything, everywhere, all at once.
One day/moment I’m fine and think I will continue to be…and reassuring others to be the same…the next, I’m thrown off course and balance, and reaching for a meditation app, or trying to practice breathing techniques for the first time in my life! Or something very like. :). In large part I started my new “Campfire Stories of Resistance & Resilience” tool, to do something proactive and positive, and remind myself (and others) of things that others of have done, to demonstrate resilience and help others, in times demonstrably darker than those we yet face….
Thank you, Sara! This is wonderful, wise, and the perfect recipe for sanity in an age of despair. I believe this is a sort of quiet rebellion, and like a theatre emptying after the show is over… one by one, until there are none. It will be noticed, eventually, that the audience is gone.
Thanks, Jane. I've heard that the cable channels that perpetuate this stuff aren't doing well. It's tricky because I do want to be informed, but they were never doing that in the first place.
Thoughtful-helpful. Thank you Sarah. I post called North of 80. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidofallon. Because i am. Much congruence with you. Being north of 80 challenge my perspective—(how my weeks left—400-500?—at best—and affirms my determination not to live inside the creepy news but to be part of creating, courageous imagining, what we must still create. the America that never was—but must be. Please—take a look. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidofallon
So many good points here, Sara. Not practicing being miserable (that can be tricky for us humans, eh) and picking your sources of information wisely are so important. Thank you for sharing.
We have the luxury to live in the news and that is a curse. Our material comfort and ease of survival has left a gaping hole in our brains to obsess about politics. I want less, much, much less politics. Stop social engineering and just keep the streets safe and clean and stop overreaching on every single thing. I want the governing to get small and leave me alone.
This is just the tonic, thanks.
Thank you!
Spot on. Don’t make good or bad. Just it down!
Thank you.
Thanks! Excellent reminder to be present.
Thanks, Barbara!
Thank you for this! I’ve worked as a TV news writer and producer since 1989 - so literally I live inside the news, all day every day for 36 years. But I’ve also found volunteering (and baking! Sometimes both together!) has helped channel anger or helplessness into doing something useful for someone else, which seems a more positive outcome! Also I focus on Ukraine and spend my emotional energy there. You can’t do everything, everywhere, all at once.
So smart to find something to focus on. Still figuring mine out!
I’m 57 so it took a while… but we got there in the end!
Great advice. Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Thanks for these tips/ reminders. They’re more important each passing day.
That you! I have to keep remembering them myself!
One day/moment I’m fine and think I will continue to be…and reassuring others to be the same…the next, I’m thrown off course and balance, and reaching for a meditation app, or trying to practice breathing techniques for the first time in my life! Or something very like. :). In large part I started my new “Campfire Stories of Resistance & Resilience” tool, to do something proactive and positive, and remind myself (and others) of things that others of have done, to demonstrate resilience and help others, in times demonstrably darker than those we yet face….
Perfect sanity, neatly packaged.
Thank you!
Excellent closing words...
Thank you!
Yes, I needed to read that. Thank you!
So glad! Thanks for telling me!
I feel exactly the same way!
Thank you. Your thinking is a direct invitation to pursue a healthy direction.
Thanks, Jane!
Thank you, Sara! This is wonderful, wise, and the perfect recipe for sanity in an age of despair. I believe this is a sort of quiet rebellion, and like a theatre emptying after the show is over… one by one, until there are none. It will be noticed, eventually, that the audience is gone.
Thanks, Jane. I've heard that the cable channels that perpetuate this stuff aren't doing well. It's tricky because I do want to be informed, but they were never doing that in the first place.
Thoughtful-helpful. Thank you Sarah. I post called North of 80. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidofallon. Because i am. Much congruence with you. Being north of 80 challenge my perspective—(how my weeks left—400-500?—at best—and affirms my determination not to live inside the creepy news but to be part of creating, courageous imagining, what we must still create. the America that never was—but must be. Please—take a look. https://open.substack.com/pub/davidofallon
What a great perspective!
So many good points here, Sara. Not practicing being miserable (that can be tricky for us humans, eh) and picking your sources of information wisely are so important. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Holly! I'm so glad you found the piece helpful!
We have the luxury to live in the news and that is a curse. Our material comfort and ease of survival has left a gaping hole in our brains to obsess about politics. I want less, much, much less politics. Stop social engineering and just keep the streets safe and clean and stop overreaching on every single thing. I want the governing to get small and leave me alone.
Personally, I like a government that does its job and serves people, but thanks for sharing your POV.
I agree with you, but I understand the communicated position, too.
Beautifully written and insightful essay. I’m so grateful I discovered you.
Thank you!!