One week from today is the U.S. presidential election. Two days ago I got the campaign merchandise I ordered on September 12th. It feels too late to do anything with it. Not that I think it would have had any effect on anything, if I’d had it earlier.
Yesterday I went to work feeling normal, but as the shift progressed I felt increasingly low and tired and listless. I came home, sat down in a comfy chair, and didn’t get up again for over four hours. A couple of those hours involved sleeping, and I am not normally a napping person. I didn’t have lunch, and I am normally a person who eats all her usual meals. Either I am coming down with something (possible), or I am electionsick (likely).
Four years ago I got stress hives from Octoberish through Januaryish. Four years later I am still taking a daily Zyrtec to prevent them, but CAN THAT TINY DAM POSSIBLY HOLD.
I mailed Halloween care packages to the twins, fueled entirely by a wave of adrenaline as I realized I was about to miss the deadline to do it. Last year I included a bunch of fun things (mini black cat backpack/keychain fobs! maple leaf string lights! nail stickers!) and used up the extras sending packages to a few of their friends, but this year I was not up to any of that. I filled two boxes with candy; I mailed them.
I’ve been sending Postcards to Voters. It feels ridiculous and futile; I’m still doing it. But it looks like today is the last day for that.
It is really awful, low lying misery and worry. I don’t know what else we can do, just wait it out. I guess at least we have each other?
The next week is going to be so exhausting. I had to delete Facebook off my phone today because the urge to spend my day rage-commenting had become too great and I have actual work to do. I want to feel hopeful but I remember how it felt That Night in 2016 and I get so worried. I am so worried. Solidarity, sisters.
I feel this. In 2016 I was SO SURE. And dude is a cheating cheater who cheats. Why is he allowed to run? In what universe is this ok? And why do I have to live in that universe?
Solidarity, sisters.
I’ve got a mild case of election sickness, but expect it to get progressively worse over the next week. I’ll need to do yoga once I start feeling really anxious. I’m trying to keep love and optimism in my heart, but that’s kind of aspirational now. I’m thinking of Michelle Obama and what she said about taking the high road. I’m wondering how some of my neighbors are voting and am trying to keep feelings of rage, anger, and judgement at bay. I was so unprepared and naïve in 2016 and don’t want to feel that despair and grief again.
One candidate lifts up and supports people; the other is anti-people, both personally and professionally. Why is this race even close?
It’s the CLOSENESS that really has me down. This should be a landslide. Why are so close to half these people so very wrong?
It ASTOUNDS me that the messaging half the country hears is so different from the other half. I had someone tell me yesterday that the R party is the “party of love.” IN WHAT UNIVERSE? Sometimes it even makes me wonder, what am I missing? Am I the one who is wrong? How can all these people–people who hold down jobs and manage to feed and dress themselves–believe something so sincerely that is the exact opposite of what I’m seeing and believing?
I don’t know, but it doesn’t really help lessen all the anxiety.
I think the same thing! What am I missing? I truly do not understand.
I had an aunt—one who was probably a Democrat when she was youngish—tell me that “you can tell Donald Trump cares about people”. It’s hard to even respond to that.
Terry, I’m stealing this last line to use….somewhere! Everywhere! Thanks!
You’re doing great! Drops are going IN the bucket. Good thing you already formulated your election plan.
We shouldn’t have to live like this, but our sad reality is that (terrible) other people make it so that we do. I hate it so much.
When I need distraction from dread, my go-tos are mindless chores, comforting movies (without commercials), a manicure, a meal with friends. I also admit that sometimes I just need to make a day be finished by going to bed earlier. I may play Sudoku on my phone to help get my eyes tired if I’m not sleepy.
But yeah. I’m in one day at a time mode. I might be in one hour at a time mode by the weekend. I’ve never tried edibles but this truly doesn’t feel like the time to start. I may work on some holiday baking or freezer meals with my angst, if I’m able.
I wrote 200 postcards for voters. If I’d known I would get done with that six weeks early, and if stamps were cheaper, I would’ve ordered 300. I received two postcards in the mail from the same pac, which was actually quite fun even if it was wasted on someone who votes every election. My household has gotten a total of four handwritten postcards so far from different groups.
I find writing the postcards soothing. I wish I’d managed to get another batch out yesterday but I didn’t. Sometimes there’s a different deadline if you live in the state or in a neighboring state. I don’t think I’m close enough to any of the campaigns but I might check.
Checked and found it was the last day, so I wrote and mailed a batch to Georgia.
I just sent my college freshman her Halloween care package this morning, but they have thus far been arriving in one day, so hoping she gets it tomorrow on Halloween. It snuck up on me a bit! I had just visited her for her birthday on the 20th, and it seemed silly to mail a package like the next day, but I still wanted to do a Halloween one, and, well, here we are. Fingers crossed it gets there in time. I reviewed your post I had bookmarked about what you put in yours and got some ideas and reminders from that so thank you! I only sent the one box, but I put 3 of everything in it so she can share with her 2 roommates. I think spreading joy and kindness where I can is one way I am combatting election anxiety. Fingers crossed for that as well!
I have done some stress-baking for the college student who’s into that. The other one isn’t. The oldest has coworkers who love my basked goods, but it seems like a career-limiting move the be the guy whose mommy still sends you cookies.
If anyone wants a coconut-apricot bundt cake, hit me up.
This is where I am — focusing on food and my Buy Nothing Group. But I have not invited anyone for Thanksgiving yet because I don’t know if I’ll be motivated to cook, my BIL and SIL are unvaxxed MAGA while my other SIL has a trans kid and a kid who has immune issues, and I just can’t deal with anything more complicated than baking and petting my dog.
So also, if you’re in the DC metro area and need to pet the world’s softest, neediest dog, hit me up. You don’t have to take a bundt cake home with you unless you want to.
I somehow managed to hurt myself doing yoga earlier this week. It feels as though there must be some sort of symbolism in there somewhere. I’m too tired to figure it out.
That Bundt cake sounds fantastic. Keep up the good work!
Maybe if the worst happens, I will roam the country giving out tea and slices of Bundt cake.
Please don’t feel your campaign merchandise is wasted! Yesterday I saw two new Harris/Walz signs on my way home from work on right-of-ways (I am in DEEP red Alabama) and it lifted my mood considerably! Then today I was in line behind a woman with a “Not Aspiring to Be Humble” logo (including a pic of some black Converse) and I’m sure my eyes got HUGE:) I complemented her and she asked if I wanted one! She makes them herself and she had a zip lock full in her purse and now I have one, too!!! Happy-making moments like this are important plus OMGGGGG have you seen how many voters are still undecided??!!!! Put your awesome merch on out into the world is what I’m saying. It can’t hurt, might help! LFG:)
Last night I literally counted my remaining Xanax to see if they’d get me through the next week + however long the final results might take. And now I need to renew the script. I am heartened by so many people taking action — postcards, calls, door knocking. I went to my rural red hometown in a KEY state two weekends ago with 3 friends to door knock for the day. Literal bus loads if people are going up there every weekend from neighboring blue areas. It all HAS to make a difference.
It’s somewhat comforting to feel less alone in my despair. The World Series was a good distraction but didn’t last long enough. I’m trying to fill up each day and stay offline as much as possible. I just keep thinking that I will do what it takes to help others and move forward no matter what happens. It is so disheartening to think that this angry, hateful, ignorant messaging works on so many people.
“The World Series was a good distraction but didn’t last long enough”
LOL, as a Yankee fan I agree. I was very torn between using my karma to wish for a Yankees win or using it for the election. Then I realized I have no control in the outcome of either. I’ve done what I can and now we hope for the best.
I agree staying offline is key for mental health.
I’m in deep blue Massachusetts and the amount of Trxmp signs I see in my corner of town make me so anxious. The Masshole state isn’t turning red anytime soon thank goodness but I wonder more and more wtaf my neighbors are smoking. I SEE YOUR TRUUUUUUUUUUE COLORSSSSSS SHINING THRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Same. There are fewer than the last 2 times in my coastal MA town. I take heart in that. Also the signs are ugly and that makes me feel peevishly superior.
It is very stressful. I have no words, no advice – just sending you love.
I had to take some meds last week that have very severe warnings about mixing with alcohol or weed. I asked my doctor what my options are, because while I can easily go a week without drinking, I AM BARELY SLEEPING AND THE WEED GUMMIES ARE EXTREMELY NECESSARY FOR MY ANXIETY RIGHT NOW. She prescribed me a topical version so that I could keep self-medicating with gummies for anxiety. So. That’s where I am.
I had to up my dose of crazy pills and one of the fun (read: THE OPPOSITE OF FUN) drug interactions was developing a facial tic in my upper lip. It was like my Billy Idol sneer muscle got activated. Zero stars, do not recommend. Luckily when I stopped taking the pills it stopped too but we have to figure out something else to do with my plethora of crazy.
I think if the worst should happen, I simply will not be able to listen to the news in the morning for a long while. I couldn’t tolerate hearing him congratulating himself, the pandering and preening. I will have to avoid social media and pretend the country didn’t elect him, until I can bear it.
I just got the birch tree decorations with lights down from the attic – the ones you recommended a few years ago. I’m so stressed, but setting them up in the living room gave me a smile, and I hope it gives you a smile to hear about it.
It does!! I have mine employed, too.
Voted before work – instead of my usual hope, it was more of a grim “This better work.”
Please please please
Thinking of all of us today! Linked Arms! <3 <3