Like most of you, I am struggling right now. Watching institutions bow to fascism with basically no pressure at all has been cripplingly sad. Hearing about how the Supreme Court is rubber-stamping some new encroachment on our rights makes me want to vomit. Witnessing the relentless attacks on adult content (or anything they deem “adult”) by big business and bipartisan legislators gets me steaming mad.
Now is the time to do anything else.
I’m not asking you to look away or disengage — that would be wildly irresponsible. What I am asking, as your fellow sufferer, is for you to stop fucking doomscrolling. Delete the social media apps off your phone, or at least hide the icons.
Looking at people post about our nightmare world over and over again isn’t doing anything but burning you out long before the fight is over. Check in, read the news for a few minutes once or twice a day, but don’t wallow. I am begging you.
Instead, I am going to provide you with some tasks that will actually improve your life.
Read a book
When was the last time you read a friggin’ book? Go read one. Project Gutenberg has a bunch of public domain stuff. The Internet Archive has loads to borrow. Go to your local library. Read something that will make you smile or think — stop reading rage bait slop on social media.
Go outside
Take a walk! Walking in nature is incredible, and you’ll feel better afterwards. Go to a bonfire and roast some marshmallows. It’s hayride season, so go roll around in straw or pick a pumpkin or something. Damn!
Go on a date
If you’re already in a relationship, take your partner out to dinner and a movie. Go to a museum and look at cool art. Treat yourself. Single? Start swiping on those apps, bud. You’ll get there.
Stare at the ceiling
Do you ever just let yourself be bored? Why not? You can’t be inspired to do anything worthwhile if you’re being stimulated at all times. Put your phone down, go lie on your couch, and stare up for an hour. Let your brain wander for once.
Play a game
But you’re not allowed to do anything else. Don’t check your email. Don’t eat a snack. Don’t listen to a podcast. Sit down in a quiet place, boot up a game you’ve been meaning to play, and just play it. I mean it — no distractions.
Image credit: Stormseeker
Video Game Town 