Whew! Such an essential task so we don't fall into the black hole of anxiety or numb ourselves to what's happening. I think what's helpful is trying to stick closer to concrete worries for the near-er future -- as in, what of the anxieties are actually related to us and that we can do something about (and not just speculation about what might be). Hard when what might be is SO big and most people are tempted to just purely ignore. I do like reading climate activist Bill McKibben's substack, because while he gives you the bad news, he also includes some really hopeful pieces of change that make me feel like maybe, we'll find a way out of this. But yeah - separating anxieties into "out there, bad and concerning but smaller impact on me" and "close to home, something I can do something about, or take action on in some way." But that can still end up feeling trite, so also, I don't know 🙈 We're in this together!
I somehow did not realize the heat could do that much to you! I have just been dealing with so much inflammation and fatigue this summer, and I bet our lack of air conditioning is why! How do so many people manage without?!
Yes, that makes so much sense, and I hope helps you feel like at least some things are explained?! (and I hope you get an a/c replacement soon!) The adaptability of the human body is wild! I always think of Floridians and Texans wearing winter parkas when it gets into the 50s. We're furless, fangless mammals but we still have some adaptability!
Nice to read your words again, Christine! One of your lines reminded me of Bob Dylan's All Along The Watchtower (a favorite song): "There must be some way outta here, said the joker to the thief. There's too much confusion. I can't get no relief." I wish there could be a way out of all this mess, but we have to go through it. Best to focus as you did, on the enduring things: sunsets, loved ones, inner peace--because the shit flying all around us shows no signs of letting up. We do what we can and try to keep some equanimity. In the long run, this too shall pass.
Bob Dylan; of course he'd have some words for this moment! "The only way out is through" and "this too shall pass" might be platitudes but also they're not wrong 🤷♀️
Welcome back!! (that's all I have the energy to comment lol)
As a therapist, how do recommend managing anxiety about climate and the US? That on top of everything else feels so hard.
Whew! Such an essential task so we don't fall into the black hole of anxiety or numb ourselves to what's happening. I think what's helpful is trying to stick closer to concrete worries for the near-er future -- as in, what of the anxieties are actually related to us and that we can do something about (and not just speculation about what might be). Hard when what might be is SO big and most people are tempted to just purely ignore. I do like reading climate activist Bill McKibben's substack, because while he gives you the bad news, he also includes some really hopeful pieces of change that make me feel like maybe, we'll find a way out of this. But yeah - separating anxieties into "out there, bad and concerning but smaller impact on me" and "close to home, something I can do something about, or take action on in some way." But that can still end up feeling trite, so also, I don't know 🙈 We're in this together!
I somehow did not realize the heat could do that much to you! I have just been dealing with so much inflammation and fatigue this summer, and I bet our lack of air conditioning is why! How do so many people manage without?!
Yes, that makes so much sense, and I hope helps you feel like at least some things are explained?! (and I hope you get an a/c replacement soon!) The adaptability of the human body is wild! I always think of Floridians and Texans wearing winter parkas when it gets into the 50s. We're furless, fangless mammals but we still have some adaptability!
Nice to read your words again, Christine! One of your lines reminded me of Bob Dylan's All Along The Watchtower (a favorite song): "There must be some way outta here, said the joker to the thief. There's too much confusion. I can't get no relief." I wish there could be a way out of all this mess, but we have to go through it. Best to focus as you did, on the enduring things: sunsets, loved ones, inner peace--because the shit flying all around us shows no signs of letting up. We do what we can and try to keep some equanimity. In the long run, this too shall pass.
Bob Dylan; of course he'd have some words for this moment! "The only way out is through" and "this too shall pass" might be platitudes but also they're not wrong 🤷♀️