I confess that all the hatred

Bigotry, intolerance and just plain negativity in the world (especially in the US) is affecting my mental health. What do others out there do to “block out” all the poison and maintain a sense of normalcy? I’m a very fortunate person and have no complaints about my own situation, but my brain gets overrun with the negativity out there and it’s taking a too on my mental health.

19 Comments

Post a Comment

Know nothing know it alls.

Jul 15, 2019 at 3:16pm

I work with someone from Croatia and she gets so upset that people don't even know why she lives in Canada yet fill her facebook with pictures of anti-trump pictures saying he's the worst ever.
Ask any "Politically correct" minded person what genocide of what country has happened in their lifetime. They won't know. Hell, give them a hint, "Eastern Europe". 15 years ago. without google they still won't know. Say the name, Slobodan Milosevic. AND THEY STILL WILL HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
Anybody older than 25, had Rwanda happen in their lifetime.
2 literal genocides in their lifetime that "woke" people know jack sh*t about.

Three Words

Jul 15, 2019 at 3:17pm

Long Weekend Alone

I don't do TV

Jul 15, 2019 at 3:35pm

Can't stand the TV news shows. Would rather selectively listen to a bit of CBC Radio. When I check the media on the net, I'm very discerning about what links I open. Sometimes I'm tempted to open a link but then I think twice and realize; i already know what that's about and it's focusing on negative sensationalism & i don't need it in my life. ......... walk good sisters and brothers ... there's going to be some bumps on the road of life but better will come.

Zen again

Jul 15, 2019 at 4:20pm

No darkness without light.
My feed has many stories about research. Because over the longer term, society only changes under the impact of technology.
A Mexican research team has developed a rapidly biodegradable, nontoxic plastic polymer. It's made from prickly pear cactus, and decomposes completely in a fraction of a year. They've tested it.
Italy had a similar discovery from a different source material, only a week or two ago.
On the other hand, recent data indicates that recycling cooking oil for biodiesel in the UK is an awful idea. Increases deforestation, palm oil production and emissions.

The political and hysterical stupidity that convulses the internet and the chattering classes, is mostly noise. Wait 6 months to a year, then check back in, only to find that nobody cares and it's some other shiny thing. Rinse, repeat.
I try to process it like a fantasy novel, when I bother with it at all. Emotional investment in any of this serves no purpose. Suggest you read Gulliver's Travels. Not much has changed since the 1700s, and the conflicts about modern versions of "endianness" continue. Culture-war-of-the-day.

Switch screens for print

Jul 15, 2019 at 4:25pm

I’ve found that sometimes putting down the phone/tablet/laptop and grabbing an engaging book or magazine can be helpful for improving mental health.

suggestions

Jul 15, 2019 at 4:26pm

TBH I have no idea how to handle your exact situation but since you have asked for free advice, here it is...and well worth the price (maybe).

I handle the ugliness of the world in three ways.

Proportion: I don't try to block it out, but I do try to see it in relation to other things.

First, there is goodness in the world, and there is a relationship between right and wrong action that is often not easy to see in the moment. Thich Naht Hahn gives us the parable of the rose garden needing quite a bit of shit to keep it going.

Second, for all that the world is shitty, this is actually the least violent, least unfair, and most connected time that has ever been. Previous generations did not have our ability to know what is going on, and were not psychologically conditioned to want to object to it.

Not making it worse: I'm not a great guy. I'm...ok...mostly. But I try not to be an asshole constantly and I try to be someone that is better than I actually am. So that means being more patient, sympathetic, environmentally and politically conscious than I actually want to be. I would rather be on the couch eating Fuzzy Peaches and watching hockey than doing anything proper, but, you have to make the effort. And if you make the effort, you are doing your bit - your own tiny corner of the universe is, if not awesome, not fully awful. And I do believe that helps with the whole negativity thing.

Be OK: Life is, in my opinion, a very difficult sport. There is a lot of competition, constant unfair new obstacles and goals, and very poor or absent refereeing. So, I train. I keep healthy. That makes me more agile and less achy, constipated, anxious. It's up to you how you spend your time, but IMO everything you do, including dealing with the world's senseless bullshit, is harder if you feel terrible.

I take...

Jul 15, 2019 at 8:54pm

... LSD or mushrooms once a week or so. I'm not a slave to a God that doesn't exist. The hatred/passion/clusterfuck is all in your head.

Political solutions to pharmacological problems never work.

Just be a good person

Jul 15, 2019 at 8:58pm

The hate and racism gets me down too... I think just trying to be a good person and rise above all that bullshit helps

@suggestions

Jul 15, 2019 at 10:03pm

What a great comment. First long comment that I actually enjoyed. @know it alls, I am so appalled when people have NO idea what happened in Eastern Europe. I remember it so well and the hell that was happening. Are they not teaching it in schools? Or am I just too old? Or were people that unaware?

Anonymous

Jul 15, 2019 at 10:41pm

drop out of social media

Join the Discussion

What's your name?