First there was Prince. Then Mohammad Ali. Then David Bowie. Then Leonard Cohen. Then, today, Gwen Ifill. John Oliver is right. 2016 is the worst. Here’s how I’m coping:
Meditation. You have read every possible thing about meditating. You might even be one of those people that “can’t” meditate. Trust me. No one is GOOD at meditating. Well, that monk guy who can be in a meditative state for hours might be good at it, but the rest of us just keep trying. The studies prove that it rewires your brain to help you feel more calm, more balanced, and happier. If you don’t need this in 2016 we are probably not simpatico because this year is the WORST. Finding a way to remain balanced in difficult situations is exactly what mediation offers but it only works if you DO IT.
Need help meditating? Download either the Insight Timer app or the Headspace App. They will help you. Yes. You feel crazy because of all the awful, but you can do something about it.
Writing. Today I wrote down all of my fears. They ranged from *hopefully* crazy to real. Things like: Trump plans to create a House Un-American Activities Committee, Muslims will be made to register (like Jews were in WWII) and the American people will become complacent and they just won’t do anything. I wrote down three pages of fears. Things I’ve been holding inside and making myself more crazy with.
Then I wrote down all of the things that I can do. Things like being kind to everyone I meet. Calling my representatives. Peacefully protesting. Finding groups that are involved with my community and become active. Posting one action a day on my Facebook page. Some things are big and some small, but I’m not a victim. I’m not angry I’m activated.
Other things I did today. Dove into my Bullet Journal and planned out the week. Wrote to the ACLU to ask for a guest speaker to come to my area. I wrote to Just Communities to see if they have a trainer on dealing with bullying/harassment for those of us willing to wear a safety pin. I made a call to my congressman. I planned out the rest of my year for my organization. I talked to my daughter. I sat next to the campfire my husband built. These things filled me up and made me stronger.
Taking a walk. Yoga. Bubble baths. Eating healthy food. Talking to a friend. Sitting by a fire. Singing. Running. Reading a great book. Going to see a performance. The list is long, of activities we can do to fill ourselves up.
Here’s what I know. When your world is a mess you can’t let yourself drop into a pool of despair – at least not forever. You have to fill your well, get stronger and do epic shit. Yes, 2016 sucked, but goodness knows that doesn’t predicate the future. Let’s find ways to do self care to deal with the losses and the blows. Have anything amazing you do or are thinking of doing? Tell us about it!
Then there is this from John Oliver – NSFW (But you got that from the title, right?)
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