Today was a really difficult day.
So much crap in the news… you can look for yourself if you want to… but I have to quit watching and reading the news lest I end up in the Psych Hospital. I knew I was watching/reading a little bit more each day, but today I watched the clock, too, and stopped counting at 6 hours. Of news.
My hallucinations have gotten really bad, they are almost constant. And I have felt increasingly depressed. In fact, for a few days, I have wondered if I should take myself to the hospital because of the suicidal ideation that’s been flashing through my mind… way too often.
I know it is all a direct result of the pain of watching what is happening here in the United States, in the Americas, in the world.
I wish I could do something.
Right now, my something to do is save my own life.
I closed my Facebook tonight (it is always on my desktop), took everything political off my Tumblr page (including unsubbing from anything political) and am putting myself on a News Blackout.
Effective an hour ago.
Navelgazing Writer 
Smart move. Take care of yourself.
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Thank you, David. Very much.
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You won’t regret it. I realized a year ago that the news and news networks were very anxiety producing for me, and as a mom of 3 kids, I can produce enough worry without adding in the world’s stress on top of it. I briefly watched again around the time of the election but quickly realized how horribly negative it all is. I still see glimpses of the news via facebook and other social media sites so I’m not completely oblivious, but I do not actively seek it out at all. I thought at first that I would have nothing to talk about at social gatherings, or worse that I would look ignorant and I have been very pleasantly surprised to find that isn’t the case at all. In fact not once in a social setting have I felt awkward for my lack of watching the news. I hope you find peace in the coming days and resist the urge to watch. Get lost in a book instead, I’ve read almost 200 books since giving up my news habit!
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Oh, Elana!
So wonderful seeing you here.
I read the news last night, but think I just need to stop it for real. None. NONE. I was just frustrated about lots and it was easier to think of something else. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to quit it. Almost withdrawal stuff… very weird.
My cublet and I have been reading (I listen) about the Founding Fathers, inspired by our crazy addiction to Hamilton: An American Musical. We’ve read Hamilton (Chernow) and Washington (also Chernow) and have ordered Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Never in my life did I think I would be remotely interested in American History… that Lin-Manuel Miranda has made so many of us into hungry Americans! Next up after Lincoln is Madison (my cub is looking for which book). I also am only on Book 5 (of 9) in Outlander, but am a tad lukewarm at this point in the series. Perhaps when the tv show starts up again in the Fall, I will be perkier again.
That helps, too, that you haven’t wilted when talking to others. I talk porn to guys, very, very little politics (although I do have a guy enamored with Kellyanne and Sarah Palin… it takes all I can not to gag waxing poetic about them!), so I can definitely keep up my end of the conversation. laughing
Again, thank you for being here! I am so happy to see you.
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