Seriously, I am having an emotional and mental breakdown

[hookaleft]

Every freaking day there are assaults upon democracy. The corruption is rampant. They get in your face and dare you to fight them. We have little wins here and there but overall they are winning. They are destroying the military, the justice department, all the institutions that have been placed to do the good work for the people. It is an all out assault. Project 2025 is being implemented at break neck speed. It is so fast that no one can stop it. I don't know how we can stop it or even slow it down. And most of the people of this country are unaware. I am so scared.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Do you have access to therapy?

[mr715]

2. I empathize.

You aren't alone.

Take a break from the news. Enjoy some nature. Escape into a book or series that is familar.

The fear and feelings are real, but they will pass.

[ananda]

21. Escapism is a really good idea!

Do things that occupy your mind in a good way.

[bdamomma]

25. I'm viewing the

World Cup to stay sane!!! and its working!!!

[fierywoman]

37. I watch, "Girl with Dogs" and Girl with Dogs 2" -- it's a simpatica Canadian woman who grooms

dogs and cats (often the grooms no one else will do) -- and I've never owned a dog -- but it relaxes me...

[mr715]

45. I love her videos.

She is very soothing and you get to watch cute animals get cuter.

My dog has never been groomed. She's naturally beautiful and she smells like snickerdoodle cookies.

[fierywoman]

66. Awww!

[themaguffin]

63. Everyone has to do what helps them get through including escapism. It's not healthy to digest this 24/7

[NewHendoLib]

3. Turn this all off and find time for yourself - for some peace.

Between caring for our grandson (18 months old), and gardening - and hiking - my wife and I have managed to find a peaceful mental bubble to exist in. Oh yes - and we haven't watched TV in 15 years. And don't get a newspaper.

[303squadron]

4. THE quote that keeps me going

People get discouraged. They should remember, from me, it takes courage not to be discouraged.

Benjamin B. Ferencz

If you don’t know who Ben is look him up as the quote is more meaningful in context.

[Joinfortmill]

52. Mr. Ferencz was a remarkable man.

[303squadron]

62. When I was a boy baseball players were my heroes

In my old age it is folks like Ben Ferenzc and Howard Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh who have inspired me the most.

[DarthDem]

5. Unplug for a while, maybe

Perhaps make a pact with yourself to stay offline for a full day, then limit your time to an hour a day or something reasonable. Then go for a walk. No screens. Plant a nice flower bush or something similar if you have somewhere to do that. You got this!

[dem4decades]

6. Pull out some old albums, listen to them, read the liners.

It'll take you back to a happy place.

[Blue Full Moon]

7. It's getting better.

Their extinguish bursts are happening.

?is=nN7Nxxy2l-62PXQL

[annielion]

23. I agree the tide is turning

These criminals are not all-powerful. We are the millions, they are the few.

[bdamomma]

26. We can take them!!!!

if we realize we have the POWER!!!!!

[Amaryllis]

59. Sign up for her (Parkrose Permaculture) posts. You need to be reading people who are uplifting and hopeful.

JEssica Craven and Robert Hubble and Timothy Snyder and Heather Cox Richardson are also very good. THey have substacks you can subscribe to.
And listen to this every week!
https://indivisible.org/events/whats-the-plan-with-leah-and-ezra/
It will make you feel better. They get 20,000 people listening each week. WHAT HELPS is community and action.
Highly rec joining an Indivisible group for that. They are alll over the country.

None of this is to deny that there is a lot of stuff going on to scare and depress you but there is a lot of things you can do to help!

[Tesha]

8. It's a hard time for good and kind people

My husband has started with the Bridge Brigade and 2 hours a week they hold signs and wave on the overpass
They get smiles and honks - and just a few middle fingers that they all laugh at.

It has helped.

For me, I can’t watch the news. I close the computer when it gets to be too much, and I have friends who are running locally, and those who are working for candidates who forgo dirty money.

But it’s not enough, I too am on the edge. Hugs, and I hope you find a refuge.I hope we all do

[Initech]

16. I haven't watched network news in 15 years and I don't miss it one bit.

And I will never watch an Ellison owned property ever again. The less I see of fuckhead, the better!

[Initech]

9. I never in my life thought I would hear people want to voluntarily give up their rights.

Fuck the republican party to hell.

[Fiendish Thingy]

10. Get off the internet, and turn off cable news

Take a walk and listen to the birds.

They aren’t winning, except in your head.

[struggle4progress]

11. Less thought, more action. Get out there and do something.

You don't have to solve every problem. You don't have to be the most effective person in the world. Just figure out how to do something almost every day: say, half an hour a day, five days a week

[blubunyip]

31. Totally agree

Although I think it's important to take time out and do some recreational thing every week, that doesn't work for me as an antidote to the daily dose of horror we are witnessing. The pain of being victimized needs to be addressed IMO. It is super stressful to know that we are living in a collapsing democracy, where every day there's a fresh cut by ruthless perpetrators. To absorb those cuts remotely and passively is even more paralyzing when there's no immediate rescue from the state of dissonance and worry it induces. But fighting back feels good, no matter how small the effort! I suggest doing a direct action task or two as often as possible, every week at least, if not every day, til it becomes a habit. Everyone can find a different rhythm with this. It doesn't matter what direction this resolve to "get out there and do something" takes.

Write or call reps (do it with a support group)
Become a voter registrar or a GOTV volunteer
Write a Letter to the Editor or comment online (DU counts )
Donate time or money to charities and relief services (esp those harmed by this administration)
Attend regular street demonstrations
Work with orgs doing educational outreach and community support
Make guerilla art if so inclined, join resistance singers
And more...

The therapy lies in taking action, preferably with others in real time or networking with others who are feeling the same way. Living with the delusion that everything is OK is just not mentally healthy--- if there's any energy left after the necessary demands of life, the way out is through action with realistic goals. The autocrats and their enablers are depending on most of us being stressed, isolated and powerless. Why give them that satisfaction? It's time to pull together, if it ever was. Get busy in whatever way is available.

[hookaleft]

48. you are so sweet

thank you

[Boo1]

12. If you read the rw boards

They are convinced they will accomplish nothing and that congress is full of rinos.

[hamsterjill]

13. You do realize that this is perfectly normal for right now, don't you?

I'm not trying to diminish the very good advice that I've seen in replies to your post, but I just wanted to speak the words to you that MOST of us with any sense at all are feeling this way. We just don't know what to do. We see what's being lost and are screaming at the top of our lungs only for so many to tell us "it's gonna be all right", when we know it isn't.

We are all waiting for that one, major event that will change the course. It's way past time for that to happen - whatever in the hell that is. Where in the actual hell is the Democratic leadership and why aren't they fighting harder?

I often reference an old high school classmate who is full-fucking blown QAnon, and I follow her Facebook page for entertainment. She is currently talking about Michael Jackson reappearing any day now to testify to just how bad the music business is and how Trump "saved him" from that industry. You simply can't be around crazy 24/7 (which we all are being subjected to right now) and not get freaked out.

So, here's what I do. I take a breath and try to remember that I still know the difference between right and wrong. I know what I see on video, even when they try to tell me that I didn't see it. I know what I hear on audio even when they try to tell me that I didn't hear it. I know bullshit when I'm confronted with bullshit.

I remind myself that since I still know that difference, that I'm still sane and functional - and able to fight against this in small, steady ways.

[hookaleft]

49. *smiles*

[Goonch]

14. ;-{) THIS

[calimary]

17. Yep. He presumes to be one of them.

Well, any group appreciates a target to laugh at.

[bdamomma]

27. That's

about the true size of it!!!!!! Fuck stand up to the BULLY!!!!!!!

[MerryBlooms]

15. I meet lovely people every day.

Grocery shopping, quick store, gas station, pharmacy... There are so many sweet people out in the wild.

Seriously, I just want to stay home every day, but I'm forced to go out into the wild daily. And then, I'm so happy. I never have bad, standing in line, stories, except drivers, don't get me started! But people, yeah, even in redneck sw Oregon, been respectful. BTW, I'm pretty redneck right now. Got my trailer girl gardner tan rocking! 🤣

Ya'll need some Priscilla glads for your party? I got ya! lol

[calimary]

18. They're mighty nice and neighborly in northwestern Oregon, too!

And I wish that for EVERYBODY!

[MerryBlooms]

19. I was in Portland Metro for many years. We raised our boys up there

Miss it so much.
Most of my contacts have retired and moved. During bush 2, we met on a downtown corner every week in Beaverton, to protest bush 2 illegal war.

[BobTheSubgenius]

43. When I was a small child, our next door neighbour was Mr. Gladiolus.

He had the trunk of his 1960's land yacht fitted out with angled tubes to carry his glads to county fairs and the like. He'd always come home with ribbons. He even had a variety or two named for him. His name was Bill Tavener, in case you ever come across a seeming variant of that name on a glad variety. Most of his property was turned over to growing them.

[littlemissmartypants]

20. Stay encouraged, hookaleft. ❤️

[EndlessMaze]

22. We. The. People. Will. Get. Through. This. Nightmare!

Repeat.

[bdamomma]

24. I don't mean

to be outright outspoken on this, but no none wants to stand to this SF!!!!!!! This fucking criminal needs to be in the swamp he and others created.

[TBF]

28. "most of the people of this country are unaware" - NO

This is not true. You spoke about your son not understanding. One MAGA is not "most of the people of this country". Right now many people cannot afford gas and groceries; much less housing and medical. We are all WELL AWARE of what is going on.

Can you join your county democratic party? If that doesn't appeal to you - how about learning how to register people to vote or serving as a poll watcher? Those are a little less partisan and you will still be part of the solution rather than drowning in the problem.

[flashman13]

33. Trump's overall approval is at 30%. That means 70% of We the People know what's up.

Take heart.

[TBF]

34. Yup, our focus needs to be GOTV -

get everyone voting - young people, working people, busy people, older people - we need everyone! We can defeat these fascists.

[applegrove]

29. 8 Democratic wins this week:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221334004

[Intractable]

30. In circumstances like these, I try to remember the Christian Serenity Prayer.

This is the greatest bit of wisdom I have ever seen from a religion. I am an atheist.

Dear Lord, Please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

[The Blue Flower]

32. Unplug and do what you can to make your part of the world better

Go volunteer at a food pantry. Tutor in a literacy program. Do not buy into their world view. Every good thing you do creates ripples that disrupt their evil. Check out www.volunteermatch.com or www.idealist.com for ideas.

[allegorical oracle]

35. Immerse yourself in music, art, taking a nature walk. I'm surrounded by

spring-fed parks and there are nice hiking paths along gorgeous aqua water. Helps nicely.

[Evolve Dammit]

36. Agreed.

[Buddyzbuddy]

38. You might consider taking a break from politics for a short time.

That's something I've had to do from time to time. It's information overload. If you're like most of us here, you are extra sensitive to the plight of your fellow humans. It's difficult to turn away, but to save your sanity you might need to. At least for a short time. It's only going to get worse between now and November. Hopefully, after that we may.see some light at the end of a long dark tunnel.

Good luck and be well.

[Tree Lady]

39. More and more people are aware

I had bookclub today and most of the time we don't talk politics we talk about the book. Over the years if something big happened we might talk about it.

Today we were reading a book about two women in Iran, picked it long time ago before America got involved in war.

All of us started to talk about book and ended up talking about how we felt like the women in the book in the 70's like we are on the edge of having our rights taken away. I have been in this bookclub for years and never heard all the women sound so scared.

I think people are paying attention. And these are not women like me that are into politics just regular American women. All ages from 30's to 69.

[proud patriot]

40. I am struggling too

back in the bush years when 92% of the country supported him right after 9/11 it was more
common for us to have DU meetups.

perhaps we all in our regions should consider meeting up with fellow DUers for picnics like we did back then.

It was healing back then . Big hug All around

[pat_k]

65. I love this idea!

For me, it was meeting a few of my fellow DUers in lobbying efforts in DC.

Perhaps the highlight was being in the in the Hart Senate office building when the news that Barbara Boxer had agreed to join Stephanie Tubbs Jones in an objection to the Ohio electors as having been appointed pursuant to an election that systematically disenfranchised countless voters.

Even staffers in Conyers office responsible for the What Went Wrong in Ohio report said we would never get a Senator.

Well, we did. And in so doing, challenged the "can't win, won't fight" rationalization for inaction that permeated the Democratic Party.

[cachukis]

41. Bake bread.

[Aristus]

42. They want you to feel this way.

They want all of us to feel helpless, powerless, exhausted, and discouraged. It's the reason for the relentless assault, the deliberate chaos, the performative cruelty. They know that motivated Americans can kick some serious ass. We did it during the Revolution; we did it in the Civil War, we did it in the World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, the Space Race, the search for life-saving immunizations and medical treatments, etc.

Every member of his administration is catastrophically incompetent. They've only gotten this far because Trump succeeded in finding a lot of people just himself; awful human beings who are good at failing upward.

We're in this together.



We're fortunate that Trump came to power at such an advanced age. Imagine if he was in his forties right now. As long as it's taking to happen, he will die one day. And the paralyzingly vile, vulgar, anti-American cult that grew up around him will fall apart like a lint sculpture in the rain. Repairing the damage will take decades, but we will get it done.

Hang in there and know that you're not alone.

[sprinkleeninow]

47. I do identify with the original poster. I myself feel imprisoned.

The highs are high, the lows are low.
Trying to maintain fair to middlin' is a challenge.
For you,
🫡 🫶

[Aristus]

56. ...

[BobTheSubgenius]

44. I hear you!

I'm pretty worried, and I live in Canada!

[Skittles]

46. yeah OK

nt

[Cirsium]

50. Wow

So, you are being told to seek therapy, to ignore what's happening, to take a walk, that its all in your head, to "think positive"...

I'm going to give you a different response. You're not imagining it, it's not all in your head. Therapy won't change what's happening. Ignoring it won't change it. Taking a walk won't change it. Take a walk if you like, but taking walks doesn't stop fascism. "Thinking positive?" Would people be giving you that advice if a hurricane were bearing down on you? Would "thinking positive" do anything to stop the hurricane or to prepare you for it? No.

Your response to what is happening is completely rational.

People are afraid, they are in denial and they don't want to face what's happening. Don't let them talk you out of your quite accurate take.

[Joinfortmill]

51. Me too. Deep breath. I'm sending hugs.

I don't know what is going to happen next or what, if anything, I can do about it. I do know I plan on voting and I hope every eligible person does the same.

Because I am old and more pissed off than can be described, I know that if the Democrats don't win the midterms, all bets are off, and I will find a resistance group to join.

That said, I firmly believe we are going to win in a landslide never seen before in the history of our country. Keep the faith, but be prepared for anything.

[Botany]

53. One foot in front of the other one you are gonna be OK. We need you.

This is not to deny your pain and distress and that is what is intentionally being done
to you and our Country by evil forces that manipulate the elections, the media, and
society who have malevolent goals.

These have always helped me. If not you can find your own joy your own way.

[bucolic_frolic]

54. Democracy is a struggle

It fights kings, it fights fascists, it fights corporations. It fights because those 3 political opponents plunder the masses, and then the masses rise up. Economic forces drive history, from 1500 to today. Will always be such.

[KS Toronado]

55. Been thinking lately we need to educate voters about what's in Project 2025

ESPECIALLY ALL THE WAYS OLIGARCHS WANT TO STEAL MORE OF OUR MONEY!

[orthoclad]

57. I empathize, too. I had to unplug last year.

I had to turn off news for months after the election. I read books, listened to music, went out with friends. I don't watch tv at all so it wasn't very hard. I left off online engagement. I have a few personal attitudes and thoughts that help.

This pain is a sign that you are a good and sensitive person. Laying down the burden for a while won't make the world end. Sometimes you just need to take time out for repairs and general maintenance. Re-engage at your own pace. You'll come back stronger.

"The first duty of a revolutionary is to survive".
(now if I could only remember who said that [grin] )

[pat_k]

58. FWIW

I look for things -- even little things -- I can do in response to news. When the NYTimes "sanewashes" in a way that leaves me enraged, I try to channel that into to a letter to the editor. When someone in the Democratic leadership fails us in some way, I write to them in that leadership capacity.

If there is no action within my power, I have learned to let go. My energy reserves demand it. I don't think any of us can afford to burn ourselves out on impotent anger.

I read Ariella Elm's substack.

There are more win's, large and small, than we know.

When I am able, I make contributions to a state Democratic party, to help them build the resources needed to protect our elections.

I subscribe to Simon Rosenberg's hopium chronicles. The interviews he does with fantastic Democratic candidates across this country inspires hope and gives me energy. And the strategic calls to action provide ways to effectively channel my energy.

Heather Cox Richardson's perspective helps to remind me that the American people have prevailed against seemingly overwhelming tides against us. We will again.

When the flood of shit is too much, I step back, knowing that allowing myself to be overwhelmed and immobilized is what they want.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." -- Desmond TuTu

I also know that there are millions of others doing their bit of good. Together, we will prevail.

And remember that simply finding joy where we can is an act of Defiance

-

[lees1975]

60. I'm with you. The founders never imagined criminals could get control of all three branches of government.

And leave the people without any power to really do anything about it. At least, not within the law. But who'd have ever thought being within the law would be a political disadvantage in America?

[wyn borkins]

61. As Plagiarized From 'Intractable' (herein)

Just a simply-loving Serenity Prayer...Please grant me:

The serenity to accept the things I cannot change

And the courage to change the things I can

Plus the wisdom to know the difference

[Mark.b2]

64. I had to unplug during the Bush Jr years...

I’ve re-engaged and disengaged a few times. It’s not unlike my life as a Dallas Cowboy fan. I start out excited when the season starts, only to move on by October. Some call it being a ‘fair weather’ fan. It’s not worth sacrificing mental health over the Cowboys or politics. There are other things way more important.

It seems most of the advice here centers on unplugging. I had to do that with alcohol about four years ago. My life is much better without it since I can’t ‘handle’ it. I recommend to everyone to eliminate anything in their life if they can’t ’handle’ whatever it is. And we all have something we can’t ‘handle’. Some just are fortunate they’ve never found what that is for them.

Best of luck!