Monday On My Mind
I think you know what’s on my mind this Monday. And I’m betting it’s the same thing that’s on your mind, too. The election. More specifically, in my case anyway, election anxiety.
Guess what? It’s a real thing and it’s got a name: Election Stress Disorder. And, while the good news is that all those political ads will go away after tomorrow, the bad news is we may not have results for a while. We’re going to have to wait it out and, as the song goes, the waiting is the hardest part.
Here are some ways I am coping with my feelings right now.
I’ve been avoiding the national news for a week now. This is tough on Dale because he is a news junkie but for me it helps to just not pay attention at this point in the process. I’m also limiting my time on social media a lot. I’ve hidden so many people that it feels like it’s all business posts and ads these days anyway! Just to clarify, it’s not that I can’t cope with opinions that are different than mine, it’s more that I don’t think social media is the place for productive discourse when it comes to hot topics.
I’m journaling and meditating and moving. I write in my gratitude journal every morning while my coffee brews and I have a bigger journal that I write in a few times a week. Meditation is my regular anxiety coping strategy and I’m currently on a 435 day streak. A walk around the yard when I’m home or a walk around the library when I’m at work is a great way to clear my head and get the blood flowing and release some endorphins.
I’m also using a lot of the essential oil blend Stress Away.
And I’m sharing my feelings with all of you and that always helps.
Stay the course, my friends, we will get through this.
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Hang in there my friend! Fingers crossed it’s a big enough landslide that people who don’t want votes counted past Election Day are begging for them all to be counted.
Ok, secret fantasy about the election? POTUS and VP see the writing on the wall and flee immediately to avoid criminal charges and Nancy gets to be Prez and help expedite the transition. Yes, I do enjoy a rich fantasy life. Why do you ask?
I’ve been treating my ESD by ignoring the news also. (It was a lot easier last week when my laptop died!) I think I would welcome an actual political discourse and exchange of ideas and information, but I haven’t yet been able to do it, on social media or in person. Several people in my family support “that other guy” and when I’ve asked them for their reasons why, all they can say is that Joe Biden is just a politician. But they are also very lazy about voting so there is that!
My anxiety is high. I’m pulling out all the stops employing my coping strategies. I’ll be really glad to just have it be done. All of it. (And we WILL get through it.) XO
Sounds like you are doing a good job in managing your stress. I had a plan, but it blew up, so now I am just waiting for it to be over, over, over. We certainly have enough to deal with this year without dealing with this election. Stay the course, Carole, you are a great example of how to manage ESD, and have a good news-free Monday. This, too, shall pass away, one way or another.
Excellent ideas! (and I am with you on the social media thing… my list is much the same, lots of business, lol)
That meditation streak – wow! Thanks for the ideas – deep breaths, deep breaths, deep breaths
Yes, breathe deeply! We will get through this. Great coping tools Carole.
I am trying to avoid the news as well and we spent the weekend listening to good music and watching movies. I am not sleeping well these days and I know it’s because of all the scary stuff happening in our world.
I feel the exact same way. Our only difference is I’m using candles instead of oils. I cannot wait for tomorrow to be over.
I’m not entirely ignoring the news, but I’m certainly limiting it. My daughter and I have been watching an awful lot of HGTV lately instead of news! I’m sure I’ll end up watching a lot tomorrow night even though I know we won’t know anything for certain for a while, but it will be nice to turn on the local news in the morning to get the weather without being bombarded with those awful ads all the time. Let’s all focus on breathing and thinking positive thoughts!
Two people in my close circle have been sparring on social media and it’s going a little beyond right now. They are both firmly entrenched in their beliefs and, well, they’re both starting to look a little insane. Ugh. I can’t wait until it’s over. Praying that it’s sooner than later… and that there’s grace & civility in the mix.
For some reason the ads haven’t bothered me as much this year (compared to other years), I don’t know if I’m watching PBS more or what. And will be glad to see an end to this era (fingers crossed).
I’ve done my part, and that’s all I can do. I believe real change comes from individuals not politicians because hearts have to be changed for lasting and impactful results. As a country we just aren’t there yet which is very very sad. Hang in there and continue to take care of yourself.