Down down down

[atarianna]

What do do you do when you’re super down to try to climb out of it? Before the election, I was feeling the best I’ve felt in years. My marriage was better than almost any point before, I felt good about work and life. I’ve fallen so far down in the last two weeks and am struggling to climb out of it.

Generally my typical MO is giving and doing for others but since a lot of my current downness is centered around the lack of reciprocation in friendships/family/relationships that isn’t going to work for me. Another big part is the lack of follow through from others when they say they are going to visit/meet/do something.

Going into the holidays feeling like I want to shrink into nothing and just disappear effing sucks.

[calamity]

atarianna, I am really struggling too.

For the moment I'm focusing on taking care of myself. Exercising and self care (skin care, I'm going to do a parasite cleanse I think) are my main priorities, especially since I am feeling burned out and resentful.

((hugs))

[eb777888]

I'm sorry. Things do seem bleak right now. It blows my mind that half of the country actually feels relief and are celebrating. I will never understand.

For me, I exercise more. I'm branching out from pilates and started taking hot yoga this week and signed up for kickboxing classes.

The first thing I do when I'm scrolling and see negative election stuff, I close the window and go do something else. No exceptions. I refuse to go back to that dark place I was in in 2016 for months on end.

Take walks outside.

Music, cozy movies, making plans of fun things to look forward to. Me and H are planning a couple of trips.

[fernweh]

I’m with you, I feel terrible. Right now I’m trying to focus on myself right - sleep, exercise, hobbies, etc.
We have a long for years ahead of us and 2016-2020 were the most anxiety filled years of my life. I don’t know what the fight is going to look like yet but I think in order to have a shot in hell of surviving this a lot of people are going to have to fight. I’m trying to make sure I’m as well prepared to do that as I can be.

[eb777888]

Nov 21, 2024 13:30:31 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

I also took some meditative yoga and that was very calming. It's also a good exercise in training myself how to calm my heart rate down and put me in a better headspace when I'm getting anxious. 

[dexteroni]

I wish I had a helpful suggestion, but I can commiserate. I was feeling this way yesterday too. I was doing early holiday stuff which usually makes me feel happy and festive, and I just didn’t, at all. Then I was even more angry that they’ve even taken away my holiday joy. So I get you.

Today’s news about Matt Gaetz has cheered me up immensely, so that served as confirmation that it really is the shit state of the country that’s bringing me down.

After the election I ramped up my exercise, both vigorous like cardio and meditative like yoga. I figure I need to be as healthy as possible if they’re going to F with our health care and retirement. They have helped me feel better physically, but not that much emotionally. I think my emotional state is beyond anxiety though. It’s like black hole scorched earth fuck everything.

[rachers]

I'm right there with you, and I'm sorry you feel that way!

Like others, I'm limiting my social media at the moment. I have a visceral reaction even when it's technically good news - like the Matt Gaetz thing - his face just makes me feel ick.

Also staying out of the comments!

Beyond that, I'm hyper focusing on work and self care. Doubling down into my volunteering opportunities. A little bit of retail therapy for Christmas shopping.

[wildrice]

I think remembering that it's only been 2 weeks and that grief can take a while might be helpful. You WILL feel better, even if things don't get objectively better in the short term. But it's ok to have a couple (or more) weeks where you just don't have the mindset to do your normal stuff and wallow a bit.

If this is not a new feeling - like you've had periods like this before - I also think medication helps. I was unmedicated during Trump's first presidency but got on anxiety meds shortly before Biden was inaugurated. I am still on them, and this time I am more upset intellectually than I am physically feeling it. I really think this is because of the meds. If you are really struggling and don't feel better soon, you may want to consider getting on something or upping/changing your medication if you are already medicated.

[1confused1]

Probably not helpful, but I increased my antidepressant dose.

[joy]

I think one thing I’ve learned about ups and downs is to let myself feel them to a certain extent.

Today, maybe I don’t have the energy to find a way out. That’s okay. Maybe tomorrow I will feel more ready to tackle something. I try not to beat myself up every day that I didn’t do “enough” any particular day. Some days are just easier than others.

But, when you do have a day where you feel like you can, DO IT.

I think of life as spiralling up or spiralling down. The circles are bigger when going up but smaller when going down. This is why a small thing can knock you down so far so fast. But, starting to climb up means you get higher faster at the beginning of your climb.

[CrazyLucky]

I'm sorry you're feeling so down. Like others, I have seriously cut back on following the news or SM. I used to listen to the Daily Podcast every day, and now I don't think I've listened at all since the election.
When I'm down, I kind of just sit around or lay around and then I feel worse. So for me, doing something, anything, helps. Organizing or cleaning, going for a walk.
You mentioned that non-reciprocated reaching out is part of the issue. I also like to do things for others where no reciprocation is expected, so there is no disappointment. For example, I help at a food pantry every month. And right now, the kids and I are have adopted four angels to Christmas shop for.

I hope you feel better soon. My DH is very much down down down right now, and it's difficult for him and difficult for the family to not be able to help him.

[meanie]

I do me stuff. I work out, buy myself something pretty, make a cup of tea, listen to a book, take a long shower - small things that are only for me. 

I actually do most of these every day, I work long hours and the few things I can do for myself make me feel a little better about it.

I'm sorry you are feeling down, it's tough this time of year when we feel pressured to be in the holiday spirit too. 

[sadie]

Hard cardio. A good cup of coffee. Walk around either somewhere pretty outside or window shopping somewhere. Turn off electronics. Make a craft or something creative. Bake. Chill with my kids. Take the dogs to a dog park. Watch holiday movies under a heated blanket and in front of a fire. Plan and take a short trip.

Basically, don't dwell on the infinite amount of time ahead in the future and all the worries that that may or may not (!) bring and ground myself in the moment.

It's hard.