There are several journalists who have left CNN and MSNBC and have arrived on Substack. Don Lemon left CNN. Yesterday he wrote "We Are Not Crazy. We Are Tired". I can only take news in small doses 3-4 days a week and it's not on TV, radio, or mainstream media. It's here on Substack from people I trust. Here is what Don wrote yesterday:
This piece was so well timed for me, thank you! To dial down my outrage, the phone boundaries are really useful. And I have to remind myself that the outrage, well channeled, is a force for good. I plan to focus on the good I can do right here in my community — volunteering at the food bank whose federal support was halted, for example. And to remember the resiliency you mentioned, that we will get through this.
Very helpful and rational. I will say that a lot of us have other or should I say multiple issues that box us in. All of a sudden it seems like there is no way out. When what needs to happen for physical wellbeing is blocked by an injury or illness and now you add in bad coping habits that need to be addressed etc.
I have found lately that forgiving myself for not being able to address it ALL is helping me to work on one thread at a time. The pile on effect is somewhat overwhelming, so just make the list and start with what you can do. The worst thing is loss of hope which is easy if you are also aging with all of this. No future you want and no time to change it.
I stopped listening to any news/talk on November 7. However, I still absorb a lot of what’s going on through headlines and social media. I’ve put a timer on my social media apps, and I’m thinking of tightening that timer a bit more.
I commented on a Threads post the other day that I feel like I’m experiencing a new, higher baseline level of anxiety (especially since menopause) that flares up even more when I read certain news items or experience certain stressful things.
I’m working on getting out in nature to walk more (I’m planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in the fall so amping up the mileage is good!). Regular exercise (3x a week Pilates too) really helps!
I also recently signed on with a concierge medical practice, after a few years with no primary care physician (I dropped off their patient roll without realizing it because every time I called them, they couldn’t see me for weeks and sent me to Patient First instead). I’m gritting my teeth and being more proactive about my health, since I have some anxiety about merely going to the doctor. My new doc is aware of that issue and is great to work with so far. I’m also seeing a therapist 1-2x a month. I think I’ve been stuffing down my unease, and confronting it is not easy, but I think in the long run it’s healthier. I will turn 60 later this year, and there’s something sobering about that.
Thanks for this down to earth article. I am uploading it so that i can read it when I am feeling ungrounded. I am fortunate that I talk biweekly with my therapist of 30 years who tells me a lot of the same things as in your article. But I take reinforcement wherever I can find it. Thanks.
There are several journalists who have left CNN and MSNBC and have arrived on Substack. Don Lemon left CNN. Yesterday he wrote "We Are Not Crazy. We Are Tired". I can only take news in small doses 3-4 days a week and it's not on TV, radio, or mainstream media. It's here on Substack from people I trust. Here is what Don wrote yesterday:
https://www.donlemon.com/p/we-are-not-crazy-we-are-tired
This piece was so well timed for me, thank you! To dial down my outrage, the phone boundaries are really useful. And I have to remind myself that the outrage, well channeled, is a force for good. I plan to focus on the good I can do right here in my community — volunteering at the food bank whose federal support was halted, for example. And to remember the resiliency you mentioned, that we will get through this.
Very helpful and rational. I will say that a lot of us have other or should I say multiple issues that box us in. All of a sudden it seems like there is no way out. When what needs to happen for physical wellbeing is blocked by an injury or illness and now you add in bad coping habits that need to be addressed etc.
I have found lately that forgiving myself for not being able to address it ALL is helping me to work on one thread at a time. The pile on effect is somewhat overwhelming, so just make the list and start with what you can do. The worst thing is loss of hope which is easy if you are also aging with all of this. No future you want and no time to change it.
I stopped listening to any news/talk on November 7. However, I still absorb a lot of what’s going on through headlines and social media. I’ve put a timer on my social media apps, and I’m thinking of tightening that timer a bit more.
I commented on a Threads post the other day that I feel like I’m experiencing a new, higher baseline level of anxiety (especially since menopause) that flares up even more when I read certain news items or experience certain stressful things.
I’m working on getting out in nature to walk more (I’m planning to walk the Camino de Santiago in the fall so amping up the mileage is good!). Regular exercise (3x a week Pilates too) really helps!
I also recently signed on with a concierge medical practice, after a few years with no primary care physician (I dropped off their patient roll without realizing it because every time I called them, they couldn’t see me for weeks and sent me to Patient First instead). I’m gritting my teeth and being more proactive about my health, since I have some anxiety about merely going to the doctor. My new doc is aware of that issue and is great to work with so far. I’m also seeing a therapist 1-2x a month. I think I’ve been stuffing down my unease, and confronting it is not easy, but I think in the long run it’s healthier. I will turn 60 later this year, and there’s something sobering about that.
Good for you for making that appt :)
Reading your letter calmed me. Thank you! I’ve come late in my life to the benefits of deep breathing. I was/am amazed at how effective it is.
Thank you for this. I’ve just started with a therapist, and this reflects our conversations. I appreciate being able to reread this. Very helpful.
Thanks for this down to earth article. I am uploading it so that i can read it when I am feeling ungrounded. I am fortunate that I talk biweekly with my therapist of 30 years who tells me a lot of the same things as in your article. But I take reinforcement wherever I can find it. Thanks.
Looking for a counselor. Do you have a list of counselors in the DC area?