I’m feeling a lot of stress and trepidation about the upcoming election and its aftermath. I’m trying to keep myself calm and focused with all my usual “tricks,” (severely limiting my news intake, getting outside, doing yoga, working out, dabbling in my “studio,” meditating, knitting). And I’ve Done Things I Can Do (I’ve voted, I sent postcards, I donated, I have signed up for two election inspector shifts next week to help process absentee/mail-in ballots). But, still. There are days . . . or portions of every day . . . that the stress breaks through and I find myself paralyzed by the All Of It.
Maybe you, too?
This election-stress issue is impacting every single person I talk to these days. Every single person! I know the stakes are high. I feel the outrage. I understand the fear of What Might Happen Next. But, really, this stress is being driven by constant news coverage, the minute-by-minute poll results, and social media . . . on purpose . . . to get us riled up and ready to click the next article or to stay tuned for the next update on the latest outrage. It’s relentless.
This morning, I read this essay published in Time . . . Why You Shouldn’t Let Election Polls Stress You Out. It’s really just another article that tells us to tune out the news and put down our phones to protect our peace. Which we already know. But I thought I’d pass it on to you anyway. In case it might help you understand (again) why you feel the way you feel . . . or just remind you to stop paying attention to the latest poll numbers. Which I found somewhat comforting this morning. For a few minutes, at least.
Hang in there, friends.
We knew this would be a hard time.
And it is.
So get out and take a walk today. Breathe the fresh air. Admire the fall color.
Take the day one step at a time.
And, just in case you can’t get out . . . or if you don’t have any fall color . . . I’ll share some of mine. These photos are from a walk through my neighborhood with JoJo yesterday afternoon. (And, yeah. We have a big old barn just down the street.)
Deep breaths. We had some winners at early voting yesterday and I should have removed a mother daughter duo for inappropriate (actually illegal) dress but I didn’t. Next time though I was in the wrong for not doing so. Your photos are just what we needed!
Beautiful photos Kym. At times I feel like an ostrich with my head in the sand…no news for me…but that’s what works for me. Enjoy the weekend!
I’m trying to limit my news intake but I still listen to NPR when I’m working in the kitchen. Even that got to be too much yesterday (everything makes me fearful and angry) so I put on a Yo-Yo Ma CD. That worked and I will be listening to him for the next 11 days and beyond. Thanks for the fall color photos!
Thanks for the pictures. I would rather focus on the barn (lucky you!) than on the TV.
Thank you for the beautiful photos, Kym. You do have a bit of fall color up your way, I see. I have recently totally surrendered about the election outcome. Whatever will be, will be. It’s taken me a while to get here, but I am not going to make myself sick about things I cannot control. If I have to go without listening to the news for the next four years, so be it. And that’s what will happen if … you know. I have made my world small, and it seems to be working, for now.
After seeing YET ANOTHER poll this morning this post is just what I needed. My anxiety is sky high and I feel like I could cry about 100 times a day. I’m trying to remember that I’ve done everything that’s within my power to do. But it’s just like Tom Petty says, the waiting is the hardest part.
I am muddling alongside you. Avoiding the news and spending lots of time with fabric and yarn are helpful too.
I’ve been avoiding EVERYTHING! Had to mute a few people on social media as they were stressing me out. I am trying the same things you are: walking, knitting, avoiding the news that doesn’t serve me. Just took a long deep breath while writing this. Time to get outside!
I’m feeling the same way and trying to calm myself with many of the same things you are doing. Last week my new digital piano was delivered and I donated my acoustic piano to a young music teacher who will use it for private voice lessons. I’ve been spending 2-3 hours a day playing my new piano and that helps a lot! But still, at times I’m on the verge of tears and feeling so stressed and terrified. I don’t know what else to do! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!
I tell myself no more polls but then I do just one tiny more check. Like you, I’ve done everything I can and am trying to think really really positively.
It’s stressful for sure. But I don’t know how anyone could look at those trees and not have their heart lifted a little – so thank you! I’m planning to sit down this weekend and work out the down ballot races so I can vote and bring my ballot to a drop box (I love the US mail, but the election drop boxes are the sure bet). Washington’s top two primary often (for me) means choosing who you disagree with less, or (more rarely) who you agree with most. Then all that’s left is prayer and biting my nails.
Feeling all of it … and finding comfort in knowing ALL of us are feeling it, too. Love the fall colors, Kym. Thank you!
I am trying to limit my intake of news, but blocking it all out feels more stressful to me than only letting in a little (which is pretty much just the national nightly news and a little bit of local, which is often minor stuff that feels light in comparison). I’m also trying to remind myself not to put any trust in polls, good or bad. I have been doing a lot of running this week, and that definitely helps. I just want these next 11 days to go by quickly and for it to be over (and obviously to get the outcome I want)!
I’ve been trying to keep busy with other things, too, and rarely turn on the news — there are plenty of ways to “get” news without actually seeking it out. That pins & needles feeling is increasing, as is the knot in my stomach. Holding out hope…
Lovely pictures. I avoid the news except local about a nearby brush fire. I voted early on Wednesday before going to a Friends of the Library book sale and then going to sit at a park to look at the leaves. Today I had an eye Dr appt and then ran errands which included a short time on the highway where the leaves were also gorgeous. Tomorrow I’m heading out for a ride to look at more leaves.
I have voted and I watched the rally in Houston and Kalamazoo over the weekend. I am ignoring the noise and tucking into the joyful message that is coming out of one campaign. I think that is the biggest indicator of where I should be… the message from Kamala has not wavered. She is keeping me focused.
Amen to all you write here. I am right here with you – doing many of the same things. You are so right about getting outdoors. I’d rather look at leaves and barns (those without political signs plastered on them) and be reminded how the seasons turn in spite of us and all our crazy. P. S. The purple cardigan on sleeve island looks terrific.