As someone who cares about people very deeply and tries to help people and make the world a better place, almost everything in the political situation right now is terrifying. At this point I don't read the news articles or watch videos on it. I read the headlines. If I feel up to it. Sometimes stuff from a substack I trust, and even then I skim to try and read only the parts most relevant to me.
On the one hand I wish I could look away guilt free, but when I'm trans and disabled, have queer friends and disabled friends, and am building relationships with people of different ethnicities, it feels reckless, inconsiderate, uncaring, and foolish to not try to at least track which awful things will affect me or people I care about. I want everyone to stay safe and get the help they need. But, for example, if ICE was coming to my area...I feel like I would have an obligation to let certain people know and try to help them. If legislation passes criminalizing some basic aspect of my every day, shouldn't I know to avoid penalties? I'm more good out of jail than in, even when disabled, right? All the kinds of things I worry about.
And so despite the severe emotional pain from (what some might call as "over") empathy, I keep looking. Pain from the atrocities. Pain from the evil and death. Pain from the simple injustice of things. Pain at one abomination after another.
I'm sorry for such a long winded ask. I am going somewhere, I promise.
Which is this: what advice, if any, do you have for coping with this world right now? How do I keep on top of the things I have to know for my safety and that of others around me without further depression and despair?
I'm already trying to get into traditional therapy for mental health stuff, but the only place that might do what I need has already told me that they will get back to me in a month (or a little less if I am very lucky) to schedule my actual appointments...a while out from that point. So I'm trying desperately to find ways to hold on in the meantime.
If this is too personal, feel free to DM me, and/or post this anonymously or whatever snippets you think would help other people. Obviously I desire help, but if I can't get it, maybe my words can help someone else.
That’s all we can do for each other, bud 🫡
