I’ve already mailed in my ballot, and I volunteered to be a poll worker (though they haven’t gotten in touch). With a week (maybe two) to go before we get the result, I feel caught in a limbo. It feels more important to me to be copying my important documents and organizing go-bags to be ready for a crisis than it does to do anything at work. I also recognize that that is probably a reaction to stress and anxiety and isn’t helping me. That said, I’m part of many groups that the right-wing hates and is openly threatening, so feeling unsafe doesn’t feel unreasonable either.
How are you all holding up out there? And tips for me to deal with this better?
You gotta get to the point where you worry about the things you can control, and let go of the things that you can’t.
This is the way.
This is actually a big message in the dharma of the Buddha.
I used to be much more into meditation and reading Buddhist literature. I reflect on that time in my life as being happier and more peaceful (I was also exercising a lot more then too). I’ve started going to a yoga class a few times a month, but I wish I had an easier time getting back into the rest of it.
But the fact that it’s not easy is a good thing. The hard thing to do is usually the right thing to do. Dealing with the negative hardship is a positive experience in the end, and avoiding the negative hardship is worse than the hardship itself.
Every moment can be done in meditation. Making time would be great but if it doesn’t happen you can still give presence into whatever moment you find yourself in.
And classical Stoicism. (Not the “don’t talk much” kind, but the roman philosopher kind.)
Letting go of things you can’t control like death also was a big tenet of the Jedi order, which I guess isn’t that surprising considering where Lucas was pulling sources from
If I could move stuff with my mind, I would convert to Jedism today.
Pretty sure I’d go full Sith. I’m not super big on hate, but if I could move things and influence people with my mind I’m under no illusions that I would use that power for good.
I don’t know if I would trust myself with that power. I hope my worldview is correct because if I ever got it I would try to reshape the world into how I wish it could be. Probably not the best idea but honestly beating our currect system is a low bar so I’d give myself a good chance.
Very true. And more easily said than done, unfortunately.
A combination of this and avoiding political news and discussion altogether (as much as I can anyway).
What’s the point of reading, discussing and/or arguing when in the end the only thing that matters is your vote (and money/time if you’re able and so inclined).
The news tries to rile you up, and all I really need to know is who won once the election happens, until then I’m avoiding it.
I have blocked every news and political centered community i see here; it helps with the stress and my mental health a lot. Particularly since I have particular views that compels me to ruffle feathers, get nasty comments and be ignored on every political community across the whole spectrum.
It’s easier to just don’t try to post until tempers cool down, if ever. If I don’t see news then I don’t have to reply and share, and probably lowers the stress a notch
But isn’t that like over half the communities? Is there anything left besides meme reposts?
Less than 10, after that I get the occasional reference but deep in the list
There would be far fewer anxiety disorders diagnosed if people did this.
there are more than a million less people alive in the United States today from a mismanaged federal global pandemic response because trump was in the big chair the last time, i’m sure the hundreds of millions effected by their loss, share your same karmic acceptance, that their lives were meaningless because they couldn’t control who was making (or purposefully not making) the decisions their fates depended upon. all very zen.
And what does me having ulcer from worrying about it do?