Thanks for your important work. I honestly don't know how you and others do it every day, thinking and writing about the Donald and the other extremists, but we're grateful for your efforts.
Thank you so much for this timely and encouraging message. As a Floridian, I often get overwhelmed with the DeSantis maneuvers. Your message helps me stay focused on doing the right thing regardless of the outcome.
Thank you for this piece Ruth. Itās not often talked about, but I do believe that many people carry on their lives with this dark-cloud overhead. Thereās a particular facet of mental anguish that we didnāt have to endure for many years. But now, the very thought of Trump being re-elected as he ramps up his retaliatory banter and vicious, venomous remarks is downright frightening. How can you NOT think about that possibility since it occurred once already. I relied on late-night TV, Maher, Kimmel, Myers, Colbert, Fallon to help āsoften the blowā of the evening news and talk-shows. (Canāt wait until this writerās strike is over). My āmedicineā each and every night before I go to sleep is to watch a Seinfeld episode. Thereās nothing better than going to sleep with a smile on your face, - instead of the negativity that so often permeates the news-cycles these days. āSerenity nowā!
Thank you so much for this and your important work. Keep shining a light on what is happening to democracies here and around the world. You have helped me tremendously over the years and that continues. ā¤ļø
We really need to question what constitutes self care. Sometimes I feel as though ākeeping upā with the latest outrage keeps me prepared for the onslaught, and in a strange way, that feels like self care. I understand that itās not, but some lizard brain part of me is always trying to figure out how to cope with the horror. I teach yoga on the side. An hour or two of checking in with my body (and helping others to do the same) is a good alternative. Even better, if it isnāt too hot, it to take a walk in nature. Or pet the dog. Play a game of tug. Good luck with whatever works for you.
So very grateful that you have been gently and frequently suggesting the importance of self-care, (at least!) since I first encountered your work almost 3 yrs ago! The first lesson for me was ... I only thought I knew a lot about self-care (most of my āsolutionsā --- just a lot of unhealthy, numbing distractions)... and I certainly wasnāt doing it (very easy to contrast my hyper-anxiety with the equanimity that you and 3 other historians -- HCR, Stanley, Snyder -- model while giving us the latest horrific news of the tsunami)... and thus .... was open to invitations to religious / spiritual practices and teachings that opened up connecting the swirling physical, mental and emotional activities in our dance of daily life, with the silence and resilience and wisdom, always available within each of us. Blessings !!
Great piece. I have been stressed out for a long time by the seemingly steady decay of our democracy, the rise of automation, AI, relentless climate change, and environmental degradation at all levels (oceans, air, food, rivers, lakes, forests, soil, etc.) Autocrats and kleptocrats make money and increase their power off destruction and chaos. And Trump and has crew have learned from their mistakes.
The next 16-18 months are going to be even more sressfull as we watch the MAGA leaders pull every trick they can, and hope the Democrats will stand tall and hold the fort. Self-care is more important now than ever.
I am so grateful for mvmt. leaders like you who emphasize balance and self-care. I see it happening more and more with people I have followed a long time. I think we all are realizing that we have a lifetime of work ahead, not a sprint to fix everything, and then relax. That requires a different approach for some of us. After going hard since 2016, hosting phone banks for Dem candidates, training volunteers to text and phonebank, etc, I had to take a break in 2020 for a few months when significant personal losses forced it. Since then, I have been more balanced. I take trips, meditate regularly, hike, etc. All of that helps me continue the activist work I do to elect Dems and save democracy here. ALSO, I will say, that for some of us self-care can look like activism. When I am DOING something that I know works, it lessens my anxiety a lot. And when I am doing it with fellow activists who are having loads of fun at the same time? That fills my cup. But you're so right, inner practices and care go hand in hand with effective activism. Thanks for all you do, every day.
Thank you. And Iām glad to see you are taking care of yourself.
Thanks for your important work. I honestly don't know how you and others do it every day, thinking and writing about the Donald and the other extremists, but we're grateful for your efforts.
Thank you so much for this timely and encouraging message. As a Floridian, I often get overwhelmed with the DeSantis maneuvers. Your message helps me stay focused on doing the right thing regardless of the outcome.
Thank you for this piece Ruth. Itās not often talked about, but I do believe that many people carry on their lives with this dark-cloud overhead. Thereās a particular facet of mental anguish that we didnāt have to endure for many years. But now, the very thought of Trump being re-elected as he ramps up his retaliatory banter and vicious, venomous remarks is downright frightening. How can you NOT think about that possibility since it occurred once already. I relied on late-night TV, Maher, Kimmel, Myers, Colbert, Fallon to help āsoften the blowā of the evening news and talk-shows. (Canāt wait until this writerās strike is over). My āmedicineā each and every night before I go to sleep is to watch a Seinfeld episode. Thereās nothing better than going to sleep with a smile on your face, - instead of the negativity that so often permeates the news-cycles these days. āSerenity nowā!
Thank you so much for this and your important work. Keep shining a light on what is happening to democracies here and around the world. You have helped me tremendously over the years and that continues. ā¤ļø
Really appreciated.
We really need to question what constitutes self care. Sometimes I feel as though ākeeping upā with the latest outrage keeps me prepared for the onslaught, and in a strange way, that feels like self care. I understand that itās not, but some lizard brain part of me is always trying to figure out how to cope with the horror. I teach yoga on the side. An hour or two of checking in with my body (and helping others to do the same) is a good alternative. Even better, if it isnāt too hot, it to take a walk in nature. Or pet the dog. Play a game of tug. Good luck with whatever works for you.
So very grateful that you have been gently and frequently suggesting the importance of self-care, (at least!) since I first encountered your work almost 3 yrs ago! The first lesson for me was ... I only thought I knew a lot about self-care (most of my āsolutionsā --- just a lot of unhealthy, numbing distractions)... and I certainly wasnāt doing it (very easy to contrast my hyper-anxiety with the equanimity that you and 3 other historians -- HCR, Stanley, Snyder -- model while giving us the latest horrific news of the tsunami)... and thus .... was open to invitations to religious / spiritual practices and teachings that opened up connecting the swirling physical, mental and emotional activities in our dance of daily life, with the silence and resilience and wisdom, always available within each of us. Blessings !!
Great piece. I have been stressed out for a long time by the seemingly steady decay of our democracy, the rise of automation, AI, relentless climate change, and environmental degradation at all levels (oceans, air, food, rivers, lakes, forests, soil, etc.) Autocrats and kleptocrats make money and increase their power off destruction and chaos. And Trump and has crew have learned from their mistakes.
The next 16-18 months are going to be even more sressfull as we watch the MAGA leaders pull every trick they can, and hope the Democrats will stand tall and hold the fort. Self-care is more important now than ever.
Your self care suggestions are appreciated! Very helpful! Thank you!
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While the Authoritarians "flood the zone," we need to flood our minds with pleasant, reassuring thoughts.
I am so grateful for mvmt. leaders like you who emphasize balance and self-care. I see it happening more and more with people I have followed a long time. I think we all are realizing that we have a lifetime of work ahead, not a sprint to fix everything, and then relax. That requires a different approach for some of us. After going hard since 2016, hosting phone banks for Dem candidates, training volunteers to text and phonebank, etc, I had to take a break in 2020 for a few months when significant personal losses forced it. Since then, I have been more balanced. I take trips, meditate regularly, hike, etc. All of that helps me continue the activist work I do to elect Dems and save democracy here. ALSO, I will say, that for some of us self-care can look like activism. When I am DOING something that I know works, it lessens my anxiety a lot. And when I am doing it with fellow activists who are having loads of fun at the same time? That fills my cup. But you're so right, inner practices and care go hand in hand with effective activism. Thanks for all you do, every day.
Thanks for today's post. Needed, helpful, and appreciated.
Really needed to read this this morning, and will share with my subscribers. Thanks.