I have lost all my joy.

[Freedomofspeech]

This first week has even been worse than I imagined. He must be very proud to turn those poor refugees away...he is the most crazy, disgusting, evil bastard I have ever seen. I really don't know how I can live through this.

[madaboutharry]

1. There is always joy.

Life is impermanent. It is always changing. Believe that things will change and that we all deserve happiness and joy while we work to bring that change.

[Freedomofspeech]

3. I so wish that I could feel as you do.

Thanks.

[madaboutharry]

4. I have to work at it.

I know it's hard.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. I am learning to compartmentalize. Joy is essential to all of us.

I am going to channel my anger into some sort of action (right now, on a week vacation - and aside from my peeks at the news each day, it is pretty joyful!)

[TrekLuver]

5. What is helping me is knowing that history will see this clearly. He is solidifying his legacy

alright and it's been rotten since he announced his "candidacy". History is going to eviscerate him. I'm also using humor (which I always do) to get through. Alcohol etc..might also not be a bad idea either...LOL.

[Foo Fighter]

9. I'm with you on that.

Humor can get you through dark times.

Alcohol can too. I don't think my liver will survive four years of Trump, though. The Bush years were pretty hard on it.

Maybe I'll use that when I contact my Senators and Rep. Impeach now! Save my liver!

[briv1016]

15. History is written by the victor.

[Chitown Kev]

17. The forces of regression never win the war

only battles...

It may take a while to "win the war," though

[GreenEyedLefty]

37. This.

You cannot kill liberalism. It will always sprout, like wildflowers on a volcanic field.

[briv1016]

39. With climate change and nuclear war looming, I don't think we have that kind of time.

[treestar]

45. So true. I often tell conservatives

that they are making themselves miserable - they will lose long term - look at history.

[Blue_true]

6. Check in with your local and State Democratic Parties.

See who is submitting themselves to run for office. Do what you can to support the ones that strike your fancy. Have civil debates with party leaders on the local and state level if their oriorities seemed misplaced. Our objective now must be forcing our national Democrats to oppose Trump and building up for 2018, where our goal should be to protect Senate seats and win House seats - the more seats we win, the better our chances of stopping Trump until we can defeat him in 2020. Also, 2017 and 2018 has some winnable Governor races where we can hold seats and take seats - with focus on taking State Legislature seats.

[Phoenix61]

7. Noooooo!

There is always joy. Survivors of the holocaust talk about celebrating birthdays. Do. Not. Let. Him. Win. That is the first step to surrender. I know this is hard. We thought we were so much better than this. And we're not but we will be. This is nothing more that an X-Ray showing us where the cancer is. It will be removed. We can and will do this.

[adigal]

18. I love how you put that - this is the xray showing us the cancer

Thank you. Very hopeful.

[bdamomma]

20. We have to do this

for the world's sake. We need to keep on our Senators and Rep for real call them every day.

I need to see Ryan and that jerk McConnell OUT.

[Phoenix61]

28. Yes, and we need to do this for our own sake

To be able to look in the mirror and know that we are who we thought we were. Do not allow the propaganda of hate to blind us to the truth. We are so much better than that. We know this. In our heart of hearts, we know this.

[TomJulie]

31. I'm with you, Phoenix...

My wife and I are still doing exactly what we were doing before the Trumpocalypse. We're haven't noticed anything of real difference and still having fun as we have always have. We decided not to worry about it. Time passes quick. We'll get our turn again before we know it.

[Freedomofspeech]

8. We have always been involved with our local democrats...

but South Western PA has turned so red. Our neighbors still have their Trump flags and signs in their yards. It's just so hard to face.

[adigal]

19. As the wall doesnt get built snd they lose their Obamacare

Let us know as each sign comes down. Hang tight. I have PTSD, so I'm being hyper vigilant right now, cant stop listening to news. Its really not healthy. I have to walk away and breathe.

[Phoenix61]

30. I know it is

I'm in a deeply red area. But tonight I met a fellow traveler and he talked about how crazy Twitler is and he told me he liked my style. I needed that. It reassures me that we are not alone. Don't let them silence us. There's a reason Russia passed laws to allow men to beat their wives and children. It's a last ditch effort to enforce an archaic system on us. They know their time has passed and they are desperately trying to hang on. We will prevail.

[Freedomofspeech]

40. We call our liberal friends our fellow travelers, too.

We are all a mess.

[flamingdem]

10. We'll kick his ass to hell

We will, be sure of it

[bdamomma]

21. Oh I am sure we will

he looks pretty well beat up now. Oh but wait, he will be getting a call tomorrow from Russia With Love.

Boy, I would love to hear that conversation.

[cwydro]

11. That shitgibbon will never rob me of my joy.

Never.

[apcalc]

12. Depression is anger turned inwards. Don't

Take it out on yourself. Get pissed! Get involved!

[Phoenix61]

22. Yes!

Exactly. Anger gets turned inward when it doesn't feel safe to turn it outward. It is always safer to turn it outward. Turning it inward leads to destruction of the self. Turning it outward may lead to destruction but it is not inevitable.

[GliderGuider]

13. I'm having anxiety attacks - and I live in Canada!

Even here this is an overwhelming experience. Like somebody is setting off waves of reality bombs.

[bdamomma]

24. Yea, I know what you mean

I am an ex pat, I feel it too. Donations being sent almost every other week to worthy causes.

[mvd]

14. I'm getting money from a trust soon and am still depressed and anxious

But yes, somehow we must turn that emotion into action. And really try not to think about him for periods of the day - do what you like to do. The first week has been really hard, but I remain convinced he will resign or have to be impeached before his 4 years are up. There are 3 million more of us than Trump voters, so we are certainly not alone. The democracy should survive, even if it takes hits.

[mnhtnbb]

16. It has been a very difficult week.

But you must find some joy somewhere. In the sunrise? Or watching the sunset? Watching birds coming to a feeder?
Take a walk around your neighborhood or in the park and enjoy the weather? Here there are signs of spring, but more cold is coming.
Go outside and watch the clouds. Do you see faces? Animals? Watch the moon come up?

Put on music. Dance around the house. Take the dog for an extra walk. Play with the kitty. Bake some cookies for a friend or a neighbor
and invite someone for coffee or tea when the house has the sweet aroma from baking.

The only way any of us is going to live with this is to find the moments of calm or beauty or silliness or caring in our own personal lives and cherish them.

And pass along hugs.

[bdamomma]

27. Oh I like your post.

So warm and comforting.

[mnhtnbb]

32. I'm glad it helped.

[Freedomofspeech]

41. You are right and I am so trying.

Thank you.

[struggle4progress]

23. How can i keep from singing?

[AgadorSparticus]

25. I understand where your are coming from. It has been hard for me too.

But going to the women's March was really uplifting for me. It gave me hope again. It made me feel connected to others like me. It almost felt like a support group. There was very much the spirit of togetherness and love. And now there is purpose. I am writing postcards to Congress critters this weekend and checking in with my local group of activists that I met at the march. I hope you find a local group and join too. It may not be much right now, but I think we are all taking baby steps. One strinking point I got from this past weekend is this: together, we shall rise.

Peace.

[sarcasmo]

26. Republican Jesus on steroids.

[Solly Mack]

29. No. You can't allow that. There is always joy to behold.

As bad as it is, and it is very bad, you can't allow that man to rob you of everything.

Your very being, your very existence, is a reason for joy. We are all stronger together.

Your resistance to what is happening around you is a reason for joy.

That you don't stand alone in the fight against all things Trump is a reason for joy.

They want us to give up. They want us to give in to despair.

Don't do it.

You're not alone.

[AlexSFCA]

33. I know

it's like every day is worse than yesterday. I am having troubles enjoying daily activities and focus on work, home.. it's the dark cloud follows me and I cant escape it

[world wide wally]

34. All I can add is that Trump will die.

Hopefully sooner rather than later. Of course, pricks like him live to be 110 because God doesn't want him ruining heaven too.
Just keep in mind that he is a worthless, asshole, motherfucking son of a bitching fuckface phoney ass bitch and if there is a God, he will be struck mute before too long.
His plane might crash. He may drink something Melania gives him. Maybe he will fall asleep for 24 hours in the tanning bed. But ultimately.... He WILL die.

Then we can deal with Pence.

[Chiquitita]

35. Your post got to me.

That he, and all those who colluded in bringing about this sham government, is sucking the hope out of kind people like you-- it really burns me up.

Your life and your energy is precious. The bullies don't deserve anything of yours. Take courage in the outpouring of care here. Collectively we won't give up or give in--try to find folks who lift you up and try to be courageous for them too.

[NCTraveler]

36. Live through it with us.

Find peace in something meaningful to you. I'm not sugar coating it. We are contentious people and see the harm these evil people are doing to others. I'm saying that in order to fight it we need you healthy. Anger, frustration, agitation.... All great motivators. But joy and optimism can hold a flock together and foster feelings of hope. This isn't the end. It's simply a part of the progression/regression of societies.

[GreenEyedLefty]

38. If there is a march, rally, or demonstration in your area, go.

My hope and vitality were renewed at last Saturday's march in my state's capital. It was wonderful to be with people who marched for their own individual reasons, and yet we were of one mind and purpose.

[Freedomofspeech]

42. Thank you all for your kind words.

The DU is my salvation.

[Freedomofspeech]

44. George Bush was stupid...

He was Evil Cheny's puppet...but they almost pale compared to this evil mess.

[irisblue]

48. good heart?

Welcome to DU.

[Demsrule86]

46. I warned everyone I met that we had to stop Trump...but...

[Stellar]

49. But you will...

because we need all hands on deck! We need you too.

[butdiduvote]

50. I feel the same

I want to remember what it's like to truly enjoy something, anything again. Any enjoyment I manage to find is blunted by the reality I'm aware of at the back of my head. To be honest, people telling me to stop letting him upset me, to turn my despair into action, etc. makes it worse. I'm not choosing to feel this way. I've tried refusing to let myself feel like this, but I can't seem to help it, and every time I cry out for help, someone feels a need to tell me to get over it or fight back or whatever other invalidating, backhanded piece of advice.