It's 3:30 am PST and as what has become my life

[Buddyzbuddy]

I don't sleep anymore. I'm too busy anticipating the next disaster brought on by this Administration. I'm thinking about opening bell and what horrors await us. I'm thinking about the 1/2 dozen bombers and fuel tankers that have been moved to within striking distance of Iran and ship movements around the globe and what human being is being abused and restrained for exercising their right to free speech. I'm thinking of children that will go without food and may contract the measles, unnecessarily. I'm thinking about our elderly and veterans that aren't being cared for as promised.
I'm thinking about the excuse this administration will use to declare Marshall law on the American public.
I think about how I used to sleep peacefully under the protection of our Federal Gov't.
I'm sure that fat f.ck Felon is worried about the possibility of a bad portrait hanging somewhere.

[Intractable]

1. As an atheist, I don't believe in God. But I do believe in the Christian Serenity Prayer.

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Good luck and peace of mind to you.

[Buddyzbuddy]

16. Thank you, I've lived by those words for many years.

I find them comforting. I've also begun relaxation and meditation techniques that I was trained to utilize over 45 years ago.
I too, am an atheist.
Have a great day.

[Magoo48]

19. I've lived by that prayer for over forty years. Meditation, mindfulness, and the pursuit of equanimity are a big help.

Peace and good health all. May you be happy, joyous, and free.

[Trueblue Texan]

20. And anti-anxiety meds...

Every single one of the OP's concerns are important and valid. Who can blame anyone for being anxious these days? We've got to find ways to train our brains to focus on thoughts that give us some peace each day. Otherwise, we get completely overwhelmed and deplete our own reserves of strength and energy we need to make things better. Our brains are powerful and can suck us into that vortex of overwhelm very quickly if we don't practice some kind of activity to calm ourselves and claim our peace. Nature is big one for me, even if it's to look at the sky or the bare starkness of a tree before spring comes along. If we can't find some way to sooth ourselves, we might anti-anxiety meds or some other artificial means to turn our minds around. Once the brain starts on that track of despair and anxiety, it's hard to get it to switch tracks without some kind of chemical boost.

[blubunyip]

55. Great advice

Everyone I know is anxiety ridden. If you care at all, how can you help it? The tentacles have reached deep into American society, touching everyone. Antidotes work best when applied daily--to counter the daily outrages. Coping mechanisms look different for different people, but we are all victims in a very big game, where the rules are broken and the future is uncertain. Our sense of security and faith in good principles (not necessarily organized religion) has been lost. We must guard against developing a victim mentality.

"Practice some kind of activity to calm ourselves and claim our peace" -- yes! Even in the midst of turmoil we can claim our rightful peace--even if it comes in small increments. Even if it means rearranging tight schedules. Even if it involves a chemical boost, especially helpful to those not practicing mindfulness or other anxiety-coping strategies. There are some effective natural (non-chemical) remedies to explore. Regular exercise, of course helps. Creative activities help.

I would add that some form of direct action, some non-violent pushback, is empowering. No effort is too small. Helps a lot with with anger management. Why turn the other cheek, only to get it slapped again? It's useful to have a place to put anxiety and anger outside oneself, rather than directing it inward or toward significant others. Processing this kind of pain is super challenging. Outrage is honest and appropriate and should be acknowledged, especially since this pain is inflicted by those we empowered to work FOR us, but who are only working for themselves and their friends. Betrayal of the public trust is the ultimate insult.

We need to join with allies, kindred spirits, compatriots, to fight back. "Fight back" can mean 1000 things. Just resolving not to be silent, especially when provoked, takes courage. Silence in the face of this assault is complicity. DO something, anything, to avoid accepting victimization.

[birdographer]

52. It's a good prayer, but

It might be getting to be time to change the things we cannot accept.

[JMCKUSICK]

2. I feel like some of us have some version of PTSD

Buddyzbuddy, I had to step away from the whole news part of my life, I cannot watch MSNBC anymore, I know it's not popular to say but they are doing to us, a similar thing to what Fix does to their viewers.
I've chosen to stick with carefully chosen local news, then only during threatening weather and to read DU and TPM and Daily Kos in that order. I still think I'm doing too much reading and the paralysis it causes emotionally is hard to manage.
I have work to do as I'm not in a balanced state.
I wish you well, turn off the news, start seeking beauty, and look for opportunities to do positive things for others
God speed

[Buddyzbuddy]

18. Those are great suggestions, thank you.

I still record MSNBC, but I rarely watch it anymore.
Since Jan. I've been listening to a lot more music.
I've reduced my news intake, but I still seek it out like an addiction. DU is the first thing I read in the morning and the last thing at night in addition to during the day. I also listen to Thom Hartman and Rhandi Rhoades and read Huffington Post. I retired this last Nov. so I have a lot of free time. I understand the emotional stress, and I hope you find relief. It sounds like you're on the right path.
Please, be well.

[JMCKUSICK]

58. Thank you Buddyzbuddy,

I hope the same for you as well. Peace.

[wordstroken]

49. Wise and helpful words, John.

Before bed, I read Andy Carpenter’s brilliant fiction series combo of humor, mystery and love for his golden retriever who helps him solve cases. Then I snuggle with and focus on how thankful I am for my two pups and 14-year-old former-feral kitty, as I slowly deep breathe and think “strong” (long inhale) and “healthy” (long exhale). Within a few minutes I’m out for the night.

I wish peace and love and gentle calm to you, and Buddyzbuddy, and our entire DU family.

[JMCKUSICK]

59. Thank you Wordstroken

Those are really wonderful visuals and kind words

[ScubaSteve]

3. 401K is tanking!!!

Before yesterday my 401K was down $35K, as of this morning after yesterday's
stock market disaster I'm now down $60K!!!

I hate that fucking moron and the destruction he is wreaking on our country.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. Oh, my. Shades of 2008. nt

[Buddyzbuddy]

21. I can relate

In Dec. I put most of our funds in money markets after returns of 15-20% because of chuckle head.
I left about 170k in various mutual funds and still lost 12k. 3.5% growth is ok for now but not for 4 years.
Have a better day, ScubaSteve

[elocs]

22. Those you hate own you and your hate for them doesn't hurt them in the least.

There are those of us here, poor and living on the edge. who could only dream of being down that much.

[Bumbles]

4. I understand.

At 82, I have been through other disasters, though none as thoroughly horrific as this one. I also realize there isn't too much I can do about the greater scheme of things. I will be joining a Hands Off! protest tomorrow morning and staying close with family and friends and caring for my neighbors. For my sanity, I am creating moss gardens for a new venture I've started, Mainely Moss Gardens. I spend time (when there's no snow on the ground) foraging in my woods for moss specimens, then creating lovely, living and sustainable microsystems that take me far from what's going on. Nothing intrudes when I'm with nature. I'm creating something alive and growing that I hope will bring moments of peaceful reflection to others. Each one of us needs to find a way to preserve our sanity, because this too shall pass.

[Buddyzbuddy]

24. I love that idea of moss gardens.

Just looking at them can be calming. It makes me think of Japanese gardens with Bonsai trees.
What a great distraction.
Peace and happy gardening, Bumbles.

[Bumbles]

56. Thank you, Buddyzbuddy.

The harvesting and creating of the gardens is very soothing, meditative. The only thing that is a bit of a distraction is having to ward of deer and wood ticks as I gather, no mosquitoes yet. Better than warding of the horrors as they come, day after day. Like medicine, I'd rather take it in a single, metered dose.

[NewLarry]

5. My sister gave me some advice yesterday

She said that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. It give you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere.

She's a lot smarter than she used to be.

[Bumbles]

6. That's a phrase I heard maybe 60 years ago when I first started teaching.

I've used it often since.

[Buddyzbuddy]

26. Thank you for sharing her words of wisdom, NewLarry.

[True Blue American]

41. Your sister is right

After a couple of years of illness, one after the other I am much better so decided instead of fretting over Cable news I would get to work solving various problems.
First on my list was making sure my finances were stable for the next 4 years.
Then I tackled the minor problems in my house. I wrote a list, crossed them off one by one. I have a few minor ones left_ did my house cleaning one room at aa time.
Getting my yard work done. It has been too wet and cold but now have that linedup.
Trump is begging to fade. The world is fighting back against him.

A Danish Company just bought the Papama Canal Rai;way even though Trump objected. Musk is leaving. Trump has offered to negotiate his Tariffs!🤫

https://www.ttnews.com/articles/maersk-buys-panama-railway

The sun just came out!

[Javaman]

7. right there with you. nt

[Buddyzbuddy]

27. Strength in numbers.

[Danascot]

9. Go to one of the Hands-off rallies tomorrow

At least you can feel like you're doing something.

[Buddyzbuddy]

29. Thank you.

[Jarqui]

10. What bothers me is I do not have an effective way to fight back

You can't express your views in general social media like X or Facebook because they siphon it off if it criticizes the right.

Since the 60s, I've always been able to do something.
I didn't care if I was in the minority.
As long as I could fight for what I thought was right ...

Now, it seems I just have to watch.
That is a terrible feeling.

[Joinfortmill]

12. Join Bluesky. Started by the folks who started Twitter.

You'll find a home there.

[Buddyzbuddy]

33. Thank you.

I lurked around DU for 20 years before I finally became a member.

[Jarqui]

57. I joined bluesky some time ago and had tried others before

But bluesky is sort of like here - preaching to the converted

Don't get me wrong - I come here every day as it is one of the few things that helps educate me and maintain my sanity.
But I'm not going to change a lot of minds here as we are collectively on the same general page for many issues.

I went after Musk during the election and he had my X posts compromised so they couldn't be read.

[Ponietz]

15. That's why Tesla is a tangible vicarious target

[Buddyzbuddy]

35. Agreed.

My verbal attacks and sarcasm towards Republicans helps me pass the time with a smile on my face.

[Buddyzbuddy]

32. I think coming here and sharing in our mutual concerns

and ideas is a way of fighting back. At the very least it allows some of the pressure caused by recent events to be released.
Knowing that you are there sharing in our collective experience is very supportive especially when new solutions and ideas are introduced.
Give yourself more credit, Jarqui.

[True Blue American]

44. Even phone calls,emails and letters help👍

I worked the polls for years, but can sill post, makre your vision known./

[vapor2]

61. Leave messages after hours to republicans

otherwise staffers will ask if you live in their district. Call all republicans

[True Blue American]

45. I would rather

Spend my time on boards where you can discuss with friends.

[Joinfortmill]

11. I hear you. But, you need sleep..

1 or 2 regular Tylenol works when all else fails. They say it's the antihistamine in it that helps folks sleep. I read about it years ago, and it's been my sure cure for insomnia ever since.

[Trueblue Texan]

23. There is also a product at Walmart called Back To Sleep...

...that has helped me to get through anxiety filled nights frequently. I take about a half a tablet before bedtime on nights when it seems I may have trouble. Swirling, anxious thoughts? I take it. It helps a lot and it's over the counter. It's 1 mg of melatonin and a blend of threonine and GABA. Works pretty well.

[Buddyzbuddy]

37. Thank you.

For some reason, driving helps me sleep.

[True Blue American]

47. I stepped away

From the news, spent my time at the Y pool and cleaned house,one day at a time.😜🤯😢😣

Slept like a baby last 2 nights. Tylelol does help.

[Emile]

13. I take it personal when the president screws

with my life savings.

[Buddyzbuddy]

38. Very, personally. Especially since it was preventable.

[ConstanceCee]

14. Rallies Help

Going to protests is a good idea, because you will be with like-minded people who are committed to positive change. You can make connections and get ideas about what can be done locally. Making a sign to take with you can be a good creative activity.

[Buddyzbuddy]

39. Thank you.

[mdbl]

17. "I'm sure that fat f.ck Felon is worried about the possibility of a bad portrait hanging somewhere."

the Felon doesn't sleep at night so he has to make the rest of us miserable. Used to be I awoke in the middle of the night and could go right back to sleep. Now I just lay there for an hour or two worried.

Thanks Maga assholes.

[Buddyzbuddy]

40. Yup. Right there with you.

[modrepub]

25. Trump and MAGA

want you to believe you're alone and it's hopeless.

I can tell you you are far from alone. Take solace in this, you are not alone. Seek out those who agree with you, comfort them and encourage them. Together, we'll all get through this. They only offer darkness, resentment and hate and that's not a healthy lifestyle to be honest with you. We offer light and hope. Have some faith in others and yourself. And get some sleep, the sun will most surely rise again tomorrow.

[Buddyzbuddy]

46. How about I give my fellow DUers my attention and

positive vibes and still reveal my darkside to Republicans. To not feel the hate and anger towards those that are cruel for the sake of cruelty would require me to live in isolation receiving no current information. My current status is sane but stressed. I have an abundance of empathy and compassion for my fellow humans but less since 2017 when I realized I was fooling myself about humanity. 2024 made it worse. This isn't just about politics. If only the world was made up of DU members. But, at least we all have each other, here and now.
Thank you and be well, modrepub.

[elocs]

28. When I turn off the lights to sleep, my mind cranks up to full speed & it's hard to quiet.

I often listen to an audio book and end up falling asleep. Or have an old TV show that I watched as a little boy, like the half hour b&w Gunsmoke episodes, and that distracts me.

[Buddyzbuddy]

48. That's it. It's difficult to quiet my thoughts.

I have found the movie "Perfect Storm" to be a reliable sleep inducer.
Thank you elocs

[UpInArms]

30. Why are you living in my head?

And we aren’t even not sleeping together

[Buddyzbuddy]

50. Thanks for the chuckle.

[LilElf70]

31. One could call it

THEFT!!!! Right in front of all of us. All self inflicted pain!!!!

Meanwhile Trump says everything is fine. (Gee, yet another lie)

Does the word "toopid" come to mind?

How many idiotic voters voted for this? Unbelievable.

And then there's Little Marco, who has no clue as to what is going on around him.

To make matters worse, Russia gets a free pass when it comes to tariffs. WHAT????????

[Turbineguy]

34. Outliving trump

is the best revenge. That means you can't eat your liver about this shit.

[AllyCat]

36. I no longer listen to the radio or what any TV news.

Books on CD from the library because I’m done with Amazon.

I was off DU and all social media for a week after the inauguration.

I try to get support from friends and what family I have that isn’t MAGA.

It’s rough. Please get some rest. I hope folks get can give you some strength.

[Buddyzbuddy]

51. Thank you, I too was in the cone of silence for that week.

But then I needed my news fix.

[yellowdogdemocrat1]

42. You have to find moments of Happiness

Even in a troubled world, there is beauty. You must find moments of calm, something that will make you smile for a few times during the day.

I have been so upset that I broke out in hives. I've never had hives. and after two weeks, they're still there on my back and arm. It's because of stress which will eventually ruin my life. But I won't let him take my life away from me.

Watch a happy movie, something to calm you down. Plant tomatoes or flowers inside so you can plant them outside or have them on your windowsill. It will give you something to nurture. I just read the Hobbit and reading the Fellowship of the Ring. Keep up with the news but don't do it every moment of the day. Don't be drawn down into this hole. Walk away from it.

Don't give him the power to ruin your live.

[Buddyzbuddy]

53. Thank you

It started on election night and has snowballed since. This post and threads are helping. Thank you. I know there are many of us going through these thoughts and emotions and I hope we can all be there for each other. My happy place seems to be on hiatus but I know I will find it once again.
Thank you, be well.

[multigraincracker]

43. you have to try this....Really

Takes one hour

I also realize that I am the luckiest person in the world. Half of it is good luck and half bad

[Buddyzbuddy]

54. Thank you.

[Buddyzbuddy]

60. I finally fell asleep only to wake up to the stock market bloodbath.

Wake me in 4 years.