These are serious times with serious outcomes at stake on serious issues. The opposition is stubborn and tough and often uninformed or badly misinformed. So, like everyone else who ventures into the battle, I’m exhausted. Between the political fighting within our country, two wars abroad, AI and pandemic concerns, inflation and natural disasters, I find myself needing to escape from the turmoil and angst caused by political battles that must be fought. Like any human, my mind and my emotions need a rest to maintain mental and physical health. And so, I take frequent breaks throughout the day so that I can continue to battle over the political direction of our country.
Since I’m retired, I no longer have a job to provide an automatic distraction. I have to find distractions from the difficult news reports that are presented 24/7. I know that the problem would be solved if I simply turned off the news, stopped watching documentaries, and stopped reading the newspaper. But for me, disengagement and denial feel like an abdication of my responsibility as a human being, a grandmother, and a citizen of this country. I have a responsibility to stay informed. I then I have a duty to use my freedom of speech and freedom of petition to engage in activities that I believe will help improve life for all of us. These days, I feel like I’m in a battle against nefarious characters who are greedy for wealth, fame, and power at the expense of everyone else. It’s an emotionally draining battle and I’m thankful that I’m not alone in fighting it. But I’ve noticed a drop in the number of people willing to engage any longer. Understandably, they are either discouraged, exhausted, or feeling helpless against the tide.
I’m finding that the only way to fight these emotions is to rest, get informed and then fight in small doses. I spend part of my day absorbing information from a variety of sources. Another part is spent engaging others through a variety of social media platforms, often taking part in contentious discussions. And I frequently take some time to email or write to lawmakers directly. Interspersed throughout these political activities, I take breaks to clear my mind and regain emotional strength.
Walking away from the emotionally charged political fray is something I do throughout the day. In the morning, after C-Span Washington Journal, I take a walk while listening to music and then do some gardening. Other distractions include chores like grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning house and personal grooming. I’ll spend time watching YouTube videos about BTS or enjoying K-dramas on Netflix. I read books. I play Backgammon or Spider Solidary on my phone. I have lengthy conversations with my kids and FaceTime with the grandkids. I go out to breakfast or lunch with my husband or a friend. I recently got into raising orchids as a new distraction. And today, after posting this blog, I’m going to the movie theater with a friend to see the Taylor Swift concert tour. While I dread wearing a mask for 2 1/2 hours, it is still a welcome break.
The fight to preserve our democratic republic is a serious one that requires our attention at the voting booth at the very least. I’ve chosen to do a bit more than just vote. I want to influence voters and elected officials as much as possible to do what I believe is the right thing on a variety of important issues. My tools are my words, my pen, and a few well-placed dollars from my checking account. Others attend protests, make speeches, have podcasts, post opposition interviews, sing political songs, act out scenarios, or post videos and visual arts. I admire all of these non-violent efforts that seek to reason with citizens and leaders.
I admit that the fight is exhausting. But each day, I remind myself of one phrase from a poem by Edgar Albert Guest called, “Don’t Quit”. It goes: “When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit”.