As I said in my last post, I’m struggling with election anxiety and am preparing myself for the worst so I don’t go into shock. I’ve rehearsed in my head how I will stay calm if it all goes to hell. Then I woke up to the news Sunday morning.
The New York Times reported on a poll showing Biden trailing Trump in five critical swing states. I can’t imagine how that’s possible, and it is simply overwhelming. I was in a funk before I even got out of bed, and that was when I realized I have to get serious about detaching.
The U.S. presidential election is a year away, polls are notoriously unreliable and I refuse to be miserable for the duration. I do love The New York Times and will continue to enjoy my subscription, but I don’t need the headlines delivered to my inbox.
My bad. I signed up for all these newsletters – one in the morning, one at night … plus a few others that seemed intriguing at the time. I went into my account and canceled about six newsletter feeds, and it was like doing quick release on the Instant Pot … a big burst of steam exiting my body.
I don’t miss any of them. The news is still there if I want it. Sometimes I just bypass the headlines and go straight to games. There’s a new one called Connections. I think you have to be a subscriber to play. The game shows a grid of 16 words. You get four tries to put the words into four groups that share a common thread. Here’s the official description:
The game is fun, but it’s tricksy. There might be five words that would seem to share a thread, and you have to figure out which one doesn’t belong. Makes you think in different ways … which is usually a good thing.
It has been a bit chilly playing golf early, and my winter wardrobe sucks. I remember being cold a lot last year, so I headed over to REI and threw some money at it. I bought some good thermal underwear (as opposed to the cheap stuff I bought last year), wool socks and a fleece neck gaiter.
We started the round yesterday with the temperature in the high 40s. And I was super toasty! I had multiple layers, so it was easy to peel them off as it warmed up. I was surprised by what a difference the socks made. If you spend a lot of time outside, I believe good quality layers are key.
I watched Nyad on Netflix with Annette Benning playing the long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad and Jodie Foster playing her friend and trainer Bonnie Stoll … both actors are in their 60s. As a recreational swimmer, I was naturally interested in the movie, but I was surprised by how good it was. I especially loved how the movie depicted older women.
As for reading, I splurged and bought the new Lincoln Lawyer book. Resurrection Walk by Michael Connelly. It’s all ready to go on my Kindle, but I haven’t started it yet. I’m excited. Oh, and I think Harry Bosch is in the book!
Dale did roast chicken last night, so today I’m making mini-pot pies for the freezer. I used to love the Marie Callender pies from the supermarket, but these homemade pies are so much better. There’s still some chicken left, so Dale is making quesadillas tonight. Yum.
So, tips for election anxiety. Less news. More food. More games. More books. More movies. More walks. More of anything that makes you happy.
I’ve been playing Connections and I’m not sure it makes me happy….but it does make you think in different ways. So there’s that.
I hated it at first because it’s so hard! But I’ve gradually gotten better, and guess what? I like it now. Funny how that works.
I just read that Trump is interested in Tucker Carlson for his running mate. It just doesn’t seem real.
Connections is interesting but definitely tricky.
Nyad sounds interesting and I will put I to the library for the latest Michael Connelly book! Thanks.
Oh, Lord, I hadn’t read that. Another reason for detaching!! I started the Michael Connelly book last night — it’s good. And Harry has a big part in it so far.
Thanks for the Nyad review. I remember following her swim on the news so I’m looking forward to watching the movie.
I get the NYT travel and cooking newsletter and the morning read. Have to skim the morning read because, yup, it can be anxiety producing. Really enjoying Connections so now I do Wordle, the mini crossword, the daily crossword, Spelling Bee and Connections. Sounds like a lot, but I don’t really devote that much time to them.
I still get the cooking newsletter but ditched the morning read. I also like California Today. As for games, I have kind of a ritual. Connections, then Spelling Bee, then Letterbox. Sometimes the mini or Wordle. Have you tried Letterbox? I try to do it in two words.
Dear Donna, Hello! What a state to get into over an election.!! I read somewhere (reliable) that in the US only 50 percent actually vote, there is no penalty for not voting. What a choice demented or potty! Good luck!
Hi Alan — how great to hear from you. I see you are still wondering why we get into such a fret over elections. Must be the American way. I’m glad you’re doing better!
Politics does that to me too. Over here, one senior politicians has just announced that they will be fining charities if they hand out tents to the homeless because “homelessness is a lifestyle choice”. And yet, people will still vote for that party – lots of ’em. It’s beyond heartbreaking so, like you, I have to withdraw or sink even deeper into depression.
Books are my primary source of comfort, as is photography – but the weather has to play nicely for the second, whereas the first is always available.
I’m staying away from games as I really do want to make progress with my writing, let alone finishing the re-build of my professional website which has been on-going for far too long. But yes, I keep myself occupied, and as far away from the news as I can. Take care Donna, it’s tough living in this world of ours right now.
Some of these people are hard to take. I agree — books are a savior. I should spend more time on my writing and less time on games.
I share your election anxiety.
However, in my mind, the 2024 election will NEVER occur.
I sincerely believe that neither Trump nor Biden will be a candidate.
Yes, they may be on the ballot, but the results of the election and then posted, the other side will NEVER accept those results. This time civil war will break out. The crazies on the right and the crazies on the left will see to it. There will be violence, deaths, mayhem for several years.
By 2028, after 4 years of this craziness, peace will return only because the general citizenry will be exhausted by the tumult.
What this “peace” will look like I have no idea. But great societies last 250 years. 2025 will be 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was inked. We can only pray.
Wow, thanks for sharing that dark thought. I do appreciate your perspective, although I hope you are wrong! I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
I hope I am wrong as well!
I am with you on election anxiety. Living in Virginia I was very nervous about our election this week but, phew, it turned out favorably…a big win for women’s rights.
I find it hard to believe that Trump is ahead of Biden in the polls. Who are these people who still support Trump….what happened to common decency in this country?
I wish we had two better candidates and don’t have to go through 2020 all over again….but a lot can happen in a year.
I watched Nyad and loved it….great acting by both Bening and Foster.
I’m glad to hear you liked Nyad. I may watch it again.
I was reading about the polls, and someone said it comes down to who answers the robocall. So, there’s that. I’m happy Virginia dodged the bullet. Yay!
Hi Donna: Haven’t posted here often, but am a regular reader.
I too have election anxiety, however I also believe these “polls” are not accurate as we are so far out from the actual election. That said, I may have to go live in a tent in the woods if this indeed looks like it may go south. I am baffled by the support of the orange man, or as I like to call him, the Cretin. I follow the news enough so that I’m not the village idiot when it comes to politics or other bad news. Some days it’s too much!
Love your art work so much! I can draw stick people 🙁
Think I need to explore hobbies. I am mostly retired, however do work per diem. Maybe I’ll take golf lessons in the Spring. Upstate NY weather dictates that venture.
Take care…
Maura
Hi Maura! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I am totally with you on the mystery of Trump. Please save some room in the tent for me.
As for art, I can’t really draw either. I sort of embellish stick figures. I also trace and transfer images to the wood. The trick for me was to say, ok, I’m going to try art, and I will show up with whatever I have. If you look at the early pieces, they were mostly just lines and squiggles. It’s your art, so it doesn’t have to be anything other than what you are able to create. I’m as surprised as anyone I got into art, but it’s quite satisfying.
Then there’s golf. I love this game, but it can be completely frustrating. Lesson are are good way to start.
Thanks for sharing Connections. I found a free site for it. My fave daily game is Squaredle.
I try to dismiss surveys; where do they find these people? They never share my opinions. Ha! I was feeling pretty good after Tuesday. Ohio and Virginia made me very happy but now the Ohio GOP is threatening to thwart the will of the voters and then there’s Manchin! Ugh!
I just took a look at Squardle, and I will have to spend some time figuring it out!
Tuesday was good news. My husband told me this morning Manchin may run for president under No Labels. My husband also said the Lincoln Project declared No Labels a Republican front. Sigh. Ego is a terrible thing.
Another happy Virginian here. Scalia’s daughter got walloped in local school board race….maybe because her kids all go to private schools and she likes that mom cult that wants to decide what everyone else’s kids should read? Thursday morning was a rare happy news morning. I also love Connections, Letterboxed, Wordle, Spelling Bee, etc. All good distractions from the dumpster fire that is politics these days. Heck, Tiles (another NYT game) is even fun when all else fails.
I laughed about Tiles being OK if all else fails. Somehow I feel better that I’m not the only one fretting about all this and looking for ways to escape. Also, love the mom cult reference! I had seriously damaged parents, but they said we could read anything — anything — as long as we were reading.
Yep, I live in Albemarle County and have 2 grandchildren in public school here…was to happy to see Scalia defeated!
Yes, the candidates are unbelievable and anxiety producing, but I am withdrawing emotionally and concentrating on spending down our retirement savings. We’re 81 and 75. This is actually harder than it sounds. We have done a huge amount of traveling and we’re pretty much over it. Add to the fact that my husband now has some mobility issues and our three cat household is so complicated that we can’t really leave for more than a day or two. My son kindly dumped his cat on us because he couldn’t take care of it. We love him (the cat) enormously, but he’s large and terrorizes the other two cats. We actually spend part of our days locking him in a bedroom for a couple of hours so that our tiny, half-feral cat will come in. When little cat wants to leave, sometimes after five minutes, then Rambo comes back out. Third cat has to be medicated twice a day.
Where was I? Oh yeah, the election. I do crossword puzzles several hours a day. I find it very calming.
I do understand about spending down the retirement savings. It is harder than it sounds. The three-cat household is challenging. Dale made me repeat over and over years ago: We are a one-cat household. We are a one-cat household. Even then, we don’t like leaving him more than a couple of days. And we’re pretty much over travel anyway. I did have a good laugh over loving (the cat) enormously.
Puzzles. Our friend!
Right there with you on election anxiety Donna. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to navigate this next year. I refuse to let the threat of the orange man impact my life, but it’s a struggle. Good news I learned recently is it looks like Arizona, where I live, will most likely have a ballot initiative for abortion rights next year. That should help keep us blue, fingers crossed. Thanks for the game tip, I may have to finally give in and expand my NYT subscription.
I’m surprised and pleased how people fought back after the repeal of Roe versus Wade. I agree it’s a struggle to not let that man impact our lives. I look every day to see if he has passed.