Please Talk Me Off Of The Ledge! I've Come To HATE The Outside World.

[DistressedAmerican]

I hate going out of my house. I hate it. I avoid it as much as possible. Everytime I go out there I see idiot drivers, lazy store clerks that wouldn't know customer service if it bit them and Freaking Bush stickers everywhere I turn (and that is a blue state folks!)

We're losing the culture war completely. THEY are getting more powerful everyday. At least, inside my own home, if I turn off my TV (which I do more often than not these days), I can control the irritating input to a certain degree. Outside it hits me in the face over and over again!

What should I do? Is it me or has the country gone mad? Is it advisable to continue to interact with the outside world?

I mean really, this weasel is our president AND he has millions of loyal (sticker displaying) followers? What is wrong with this country?

[adigal]

1. I agree...I cannot figure out what is wrong with people

But recent polls show his approval dropping...and dropping. That makes me happy!! See how easy it is to feel better???

Have faith for 2006 - I have never listened to Howard Dean, and I caught him on C-Span last night, and he gave me hope. He is wonderful!

[FreedomAngel82]

42. Mr. Dean is great!

You've never heard him speak? Wow. I haven't heard him live but I have on CSPAN a few times. He is great. :) I'm so glad he's out there representing the party. One part of me does think the country is going downhill but as mentioned the recent Gallup poll does give me some hope for 2006. If we all get out and actually vote.

[wildeyed]

2. I keep working at my local activism projects.

It keeps me in touch with like minded individuals and I am laying groundwork for victories in 2006. Helps keep me sane and useful at the same time.

My sister commented the other day that I have not seemed really happy since the election. She is right. But I don't believe I am seriously depressed either. So I just keep on keeping on.

[DistressedAmerican]

5. I Have been working my ass off for the last year and a half.

I have the website, and turn out regular anti-bush graphics. It is therapeutic. For quite a while it was enough. I find it less and less satisfying though.

My issue is that I have been working like a dog and things just keep sliding. I do find it depressing AND infuriating.

I will keep working. But, it just isn't saving my mental health these days.

[kliljedahl]

11. If it's any consolation

I love your work, the first place I go every day when I boot up to see what's new. You're helping a lot of the rest of us cope with the BS.

This is my wallpaper:

[DistressedAmerican]

18. Believe it or not, That really does make me happy to hear!

Sometimes I wonder if it is worth all of the effort. I'm glad I help some folks. Thanks for posting. I really need it right now.

BTW - Just remembered tomorrow is my birthday. I am turning off the TV and trying to have myself some fun!

[kliljedahl]

25. Happy Birthday

& keep up the good work. I for one would miss your graphics and your DU posts immensely if you just said "Fuck it all".


http://www.kliljedahl.net

[DistressedAmerican]

28. Oh Don't Fear That. I Just Need Some Moral Support.

Believe it or not, I am a lot better off doing the work. Even if it is running me a bit ragged. You should have seen be before I started working. I spent the whole day yelling at pundits on TV. This is actually a far cry better.

Thanks for the birthday greetings. With the great suggestions of fellow DUers I have gotten some good ideas for some fun.

In reality, I will most likely tend the baby all day and veg out in the evening. Much like my normal day but with out the stress inducing politics. I'm tuning out. I get my birthday off.

[wildeyed]

17. Like other posters on this thread, I would recommend taking a news break.

I have been pretty much ignoring national and international news and the world hasn't stopped spinning on its axis yet.

This is one of my rare forays into GD. Depressing news and the circular firing squad is too upsetting for me right now. I mostly post in some of the non-political forums and my state forum these days. That keeps me plugged into the DU community a little and helps maintain my mental health, too.

My main hobby these days..... baking bread. What could be more comforting than hot fresh homemade bread? But that is just me. I am sure you will find something that soothes your spirit.

And don't worry. The left will rise and we will win. Count on it.

[Ladyhawk]

38. (((((((((((((( DistressedAmerican )))))))))))))))

I really appreciate your work, DA. And I'm so glad someone can still work hard. After my surgery and upcoming move, I'm hoping to get back into the thick of things. Right now I'm just trying to stay alive.

BTW, thanks for bringing up this topic. I have a feeling a lot of people feel the same way. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

37. The election emotionally sidelined me.

I've had this horrible feeling that nothing we do matters. I know that if I feel that way, it isn't very helpful. I really thought Kerry would win the election.

I don't feel as certain as I did that the election was stolen, which means that 51% of those who voted really did vote for Bush. How depressing is that? Also, I'm in a red county in a blue state and that feels depressing. I really want to move to a blue area, but that feels like running. Still, I've had a tough life so far and I feel I deserve a little bit of rest, a little bit of happiness. I feel like I was on the cusp of finding peace when this whole Bush thing blew up in my face.

I'm so fucking pissed. :(

[wildeyed]

44. I was absolutely certain that Kerry would win.

I knew in my logical mind that it was a close election, but in my spirit, I KNEW he would win. And I also knew that he would have to win decisively to overcome the election fraud. But I thought he would. I still tear up now and then.

I live in a blue county in a red state. We are close on many local elections, so I feel that my effort really does matter. Plus I think about all the other local activists building their organizations and how we can make a difference together on the national level in 2006. But I will keep doing it even if we lose again in 2006. And I will keep doing it until the bad men knock on my door in the middle of the night and take me away.

But I completely understand that other people need to take a break from it. I put my mental health and my family's needs before my activism and I would expect others to do the same.

I am so fucking pissed, too. :hug:

[Rockerdem]

3. Chin up.

This feels like 1990 or 1991, when it looked like Republicans were going to be on top forever. Then came 1992.

The US electorate is nearly evenly divided. Just a little bit of luck and we are in for 4 or 8 years next time. Look at the glass half full - I do.

[Ernesto]

23. Good for you Rockerdem

You pegged it as near as I can tell.....
Hell I'd rather die as a DEMOCRATIC loser than live the life of a hate filled repuke lier or a simple repuke foolish follower.

[Ladyhawk]

4. I'm with you on this. I'm dealing with a bit of agoraphobia, myself. n/t

[DistressedAmerican]

6. It is just not pretty out there!

[Ladyhawk]

30. No, it sure as hell isn't. Sigh.

Today, Ladyhawk didst go forth for, yea verily, she didst have a dental appointment. And, when she had lifted up her eyes she didst see Bush/Cheney bumper stickers and God Bless America bumper stickers and anti-gay bumper stickers. And the heart of Ladyhawk was grievously vexed, for she saw that the people's hearts had hardened against their brethren.

Then Ladyhawk, being sorely afflicted with grief, didst drive her Toyota to a secluded place with no people, and verily, when she came to a bridge that didst stretch over the river of Tuolumne, she lifted up her eyes and saw that someone hadst scrawled, "White power! Better dead than Me-Wuk" below the rails on the bridge. And Ladyhawk's heart was exceedingly vexed.

[Catchawave]

7. me too....

:scared: it's not that I'm afraid to leave, I don't want to leave!

[DistressedAmerican]

8. Exactly! I Don't Fear It. It Just Makes Me Sick.

I will say for the record however, that this did cheer me up (didn't make the outside world any better but, I'll take what I can get these days):

[chlamor]

13. Start a Garden

The softening influence of the natural world can help your spirits. Try not to absorb too many negative ions.

Americans are to varying degrees extremely damaged people. Advertising-Schooling-TV-Asphalt-Rectilinear architecture- it all damages us.

Do some guerilla gardening. You'll want those skills anyway.

Nature is the law.

[DistressedAmerican]

15. I haven't in many years but, I used to love it.

I'm renting now and really don't have the space. Maybe some container action is in order.

[SmokingJacket]

19. There might be space in a community garden near where you live.

That's why I did last summer -- every evening I drove out to my garden, did a little weeding, then started bringing home onions and tomatoes and beans. Wow. That was when the election was in full frenzy (hard to believe now!!??!!) but there were NO Bush stickers in that garden, just plants, and for a time I had a whole other perspective.

But containers work too.

[DistressedAmerican]

20. I Work Every Summer In Mexico. This Year I'll Be Home.

I have never looked into it because I was away. I'll look into it and see. I love fresh greenbeans!

Good suggestion.

Also love to throw pottery. I just do not have space to set up my wheel right now. I need to get back into a studio...

[CitySky]

21. one yr i grew tomatoes on my fire escape in boston -

i had to climb out of a window to get to my "garden," and the total yield was maybe 6 tomatoes, but still it was satisfying.

also i had a morning glory vine that wrapped itself around the iron.

[Ladyhawk]

41. If you can, go to someplace natural and a bit secluded.

Right now the wildflowers are blooming in the low foothills and I've been making forays into the Tuolumne River Canyon via Old Wards Ferry Road. I'm not quite brave enough to do any hiking or walking because the place is secluded enough that someone could hurt me and get away with it. There are just enough people for it to be a somewhat dangerous proposition to get out of one's car and go for a walk.

Regardless, I've driven into the canyon twice this week and the wildflowers are beautiful. Due to the rains, the grass and trees are especially verdant and the flowers! They come in all colors: purple, blue, yellow, red, orange (California poppies!!!!), white and even pink. :) The most common flowers are purple-blue lupines and California poppies. Juxtaposed against the river canyon, they look especially gorgeous. I need to see if I can find a camera. The river canyon is just begging for some pictures.

[Ladyhawk]

40. Someone needs to do that to Rush Limbaugh...

...and Sean Hannity...and Bill O'Reilly...and Michael Savage...and Anne Coulter...didn't she get something food-related done to her? :D

[coffeenap]

10. Me too--it is just not worth the disappointment that inevitably comes.

Having kids helps me--I don't want them isolated so I get them out which gets me out. Every two weeks I meet with two friends who completely agree with me on everything--that is my chosen social life at the moment. I don't even want to go out to dinner--I see selfishness and facism everywhere. Maybe it is just what happens when you reach a "certain age". Maybe liberals and progressives are just more sensitive people--it would explain why we care about others!

[Ladyhawk]

29. Today I saw a bumper sticker that pissed me off.

It was a marriage = man + woman. This "lady" was sitting in the car with the bumper sticker and I was oh-so-tempted to walk up to her and say, "Bigot." It wouldn't have done a bit of good and it wouldn't have made me feel any better, but I still wanted to do it. :(

[Bouncy Ball]

9. Funny, here in Texas I don't even see that many bush stickers.

Isn't that odd?

I don't have much advice for you, except take time out if you need to, then get back out there!

And btw, I don't think "they" are winning ANY culture war.

[readmoreoften]

33. I've been driving across country a lot over the past few years

and it's weird where you see Bush stickers and where you don't. Driving from Austin to Houston it was quite Kerry/Edwards-y, even 2 months after the 'election'.

[KittyWampus]

12. Turn Off DU. Politics Will Eat You Up, If You Don't Take A Break

how about doing some collage work that has nothing to do with politics?

Maybe something pretty and Spring-like?

You're very gifted artistically...

Take a walk, go to the park, feed the ducks.

[DistressedAmerican]

14. That may just be the best advice I've gotten in a long time.

As much as I hate to admit. I do think sometimes all of the info I get from DU and other sources makes me a bit obsessive compulsive regarding politics.

Once the northeast weather warns a bit, I plan to get out more often. I have a dog and a new baby and they deserve to enjoy it out there even if I don't.

I do think the end of the winter is getting to me as well. I hate the cold. I NEVER want to go out in it.

Not sure that pretty and springlike are really up my alley. I have been using my skills to put together some very nice graphics for some archaeological writing I'm working on. I need to re-channel more into that I think.

Thanks for the suggestions.

If it weren't for useful posts such as those on this thread, I would probably get off of DU more often. Thanks for making me sicker people!

:hide:

[DistressedAmerican]

16. Getting Better But, Not Quite Off The Ledge Yet.

Anymore words of sage advice for a hard left warrior who has hit the wall?

[MadHound]

24. Yeah, get yourself into the woods, NOW!!

Not gardening, not the park, get thee off to the woods and do some camping for a week or three. Someplace where you can't hear a thing except nature and your own voice. You won't believe how much urban noises drive you batty until you get away from them.

I live out in the country on twenty acres, complete with a bit of pasture and some woods. I'm far enough from the beaten path that I only hear the sounds of nature, unless my neighbors fire something up. It is quite soothing and relaxing, one of the big reasons I got it. And after haveing lived in the city, I hadn't realized how ugly a city sounds until I moved. Now I just cringe everytime I have to go to the city, I just feel assaulted by noises.

So get out to the woods. If you haven't been, go check out the Smoky Mountains in TN, they're absolutely beautiful, and there are hike in campsites that are five miles off the beaten path. Or head out west to the Snowy Mountains in Wyoming. One of natures overlooked treasures, since everybody tends to go to the Rockies or Yellowstone. Or anywhere that you can afford to go. You don't even have to hardcore hike in camp, you can car-camp. Just get away from the city for awhile.

[Ladyhawk]

43. Yeah, we're on the same page.

At least I live close to natural beauty and seclusion.

Another thing that helps me is getting into a body of water. It's still too cold for that, but last summer I practically lived at Pinecrest Lake. It will be a few months before the water is warm enough for swimming...but I'll still have that dratted brace on my neck! Ack!

Maybe I can at least wade? Not as fun as snorkeling!

[Binka]

26. Honey You Don't Seem To Realize YOU ARE EXHAUSTED

You have a three month old and that means NO or LITTLE real rest. You are overwhelmed because you are knackered. Please don't work so much and rest more 'K? And if you really need a break come visit me in Sicily.

Love Mommy Binka:hug:

[DistressedAmerican]

27. That would be a great break. I'd love to visit Italy.

Being an archaeologist, there is certainly plenty to see. Hope you are loving It over there.

You are right. I am wiped. I just have a hard time taking a break when I see this American foolishness. I just have to remember I can't do it all myself. Good advice!

[cidliz2004]

31. True, the more obsessed you become the worse it gets. Trying

to keep up on everything AND take care of a baby is impossible but good. Your baby is keeping you sane.

I just got my 4 grandchildren living with me this last month. The parents are having many difficulties and I now have the kids. They are 2-1/2, 4, 6, 10. I am so busy with them right now that I am not so emotionally obsessed with the state of the country.

In a way it has been good for me, because the state of the country has been quite a disappointing dismal place.

I am going crazy trying to adjust from an empty nester to 4 small children. My husband has been really helpful though. I am lucky.
One day I may be able to submerge myself more totally back into politics, but right now a healthy dose of simple day to day living with 4 little ones is at least a challenge that is reaping immediate benefits.

[Lorien]

22. I feel the same way

and in some ways I'm not feeling very guilty about not going out anymore. I'm single, self employed, work at home and have three cats for company-there's not much of a need to venture outside into all that insanity. And it's not just the neo-con nutcases-it's the insane commercialism and culture of consumption that gets me down, too. If I stay in my cable free home, I can rent the Netflix DVDs I want or read any of my 2000 century old (and older) books. Often i just long for a time machine to get me out of this GOP "paradise".

[Ladyhawk]

35. I hear you, Lorien.

I feel like I was born into a "canned" society. All my life I've felt there was something wrong, but always thought it was me. Now I think it's society. There's a cancer in Western society. We were not meant to live this way...especially we artistic types. There are fewer and fewer places for us. I'm glad you've been able to employ yourself. :) That is so cool.

[readmoreoften]

32. Here's my equal and opposite problem:

I live in Greenwich Village and wish there were revolution in the streets, but all I see is a gentrified yuppie-infiltrated universe of liberals dining on white linen and talking about anything but politics. I don't want to go out of the house, it's depressing for whole other reasons.

I just moved back east from Austin, Texas and I'd love to back their where progressives and ultra-rightwingers live tet-a-tet and everyone on all sides of the debate are packing.

Lemme outta kitschville and plant me firmly in a place where something is still at stake.

[Ladyhawk]

34. Hmmm, never thought of it that way.

I don't feel prepared to be confronted by anyone in my small, rural town. I've been confronted before, but only while attending peace vigils. I was accosted by a crazy-ass fundy missionary once because I had the gall to tell her I was proud to be an atheist. She was trying to tell us how the war in Iraq was OK because so many were "coming to Jeeeeeeeeesus, praise Gawd!" Sigh. I can't keep my mouth shut when it comes to fundies.

I'm sick of this town. I grew up here and now I'd like to be in a place where others agree with me. I'm not ready for a revolution unless someone else starts it. :)

[OldLeftieLawyer]

36. You all just made me feel SO much better

I am sorry that any of you are having a hard time, but I want you to know that you're not alone.

There doesn't seem to be anything out there, and so I do all that I can to avoid going out. Since I work at home, and just started working on a new book that's long overdue at my publisher, I now have even more reason not to leave this comfortable abode.

This is sanity at work, believe me. If you don't have to, why would any healthy person voluntarily go out there where it's so hostile and inappropriate.

Thank you, though, for telling all these tales. I feel much less alone and much more hopeful.

You're all such good eggs:

[lonestarnot]

39. come on now buck up... bushitler is down to 45% approval rating according

to a repuke Gallup pole! Lowest of ANY president at this time since WWII.