I decided to take a serious social media break after the tiktok ban. I was devastated by the ban, then equally devastated that it became trumptok upon return.
I deleted it off my phone. I do have rednote, but it's not the same. I deactivated facebook and instagram. I am done.
I refuse to be sucked into an anxious angry hole for the next four years, like I was for his first four. I am terrified of the future now, so I have to take a break.
Instead of spending my time scrolling, I am focusing on learning new things, spending time with family and friends, experiencing life.
Here is what I've done so far!
I got a breadmaker for xmas. I am having the most fun with this thing! I have made four loaves so far, three white bread and one cinnamon raisin.
I joined Costco for the savings of bulk buying, and I have a new appreciation for cooking at home.
I am taking it back to basics, depression era shit. Baking bread, making hearty beef and bean soups, Rice and beans based dishes aplenty!
I look forward to dusting off my camera and going out into nature. I am excited to finally finish the half dozen craft projects I have started. I am itching to get my seeds planted indoors, in preparation for the spring.
We will survive a trump presidency. We just have to look inward. Stick together. We got this!
To some leveling up may be a conversation that feels a bit vapid and unnecessary given the events happening globally especially in the US. I would disagree because leveling up will be necessary to survive the upcoming economic climate. Here's some tips I believe everyone should be implementing in order to survive and also thrive.
Save money - I know that all the finance bros constantly downplay savings and mostly focus on investing, but savings is STILL RELEVANT! Having savins can prevent you having to take payday loans, replace a car vs a car part, and help you feel more at ease during emergency. Whether you are saving $25, $50, or more every paycheck, please, set some money aside
Build your network - LinkedIn is great! Meeting people in person is BETTER. It's time to join groups, go to local meetups for people in your current or desired field because this is going to be how people get job opportunities. Also focus on sustaining those relationships, so NOT just a LinkedIn hit it and quit it, but instead please focus on building long term mutually beneficial relationships with people that you like and who know more than you!
education, Education, EDUCATION! - If you are afraid that your job could be at risk, you want to explore a new career, or feel like you need more education, DO IT! But when you do it please be smart. Focus on grants, scholarships, transferring credit from lower cost institutions, interships, bootcamps. Do your research! Check websites like will a robot take my job, career trajectory, and need for that particular job/career in your area. Be smart while getting smart. Do NOT believe these people online telling you that degrees don't matter! In these next 4 years they will not only matter, they will be the reason many people get left out of the new economy.
B-U-D-G-E-T - I know this is hard to do in this economy for some right now, but now more than ever you need to know where your money is going. If you're in debt and want to get out first assess that you are able to meet your basic needs (housing, food, etc.) then work out a sustainable debt pay back plan. If you can help don't allow things to go into default, but if the do, or have, focus on paying the most important bills first, save, and then of course focus on debt.
Do NOT DOOMSPEND - I know it may seem tempting to spend like there's no tomorrow and that everyday the news and government can make it easier to become more and more nihilistic, but maxing out affirm, Klarna and Afterpay will NOT help. Set a little cash aside for guiltless, mindless "joy spending" and then STOP. Think about creating community instead of spending all the time. Set up a home paint and sip, go the local coffee shop and read a good book, check out some new pieces at the Museum. Research low-cost hobbies and lean on those when you're anxious instead of spending.
Have your own $$$ - Yes even if your partner has money, set some aside that you don't touch of your own. You never know when you, or both you and your partner might need it.
Okay since @youareagoodperson took down the original post down about the Canada hotline post right in the middle of me drafting up very good clarifications, I guess I will do it myself. (I know this post is not going to go anywhere since I am small but every reblog helps)
So here is what I have to say about the whole scenario with all the sauces.
The original post had had the above photo on it of the number to the Canadian Trans Healthline, (CTH) and something about how the US LGBTQA+ mental health and suicide hotline aka The Trevor Project (TTP) had already been shut down.
We now know from both CTH and TTP, as well as multiple other sources, that this information is was false. According to the sites, the original posts popped up on Twitter and IG, then it probably permeated to Tumblr from there.
We are aware of viral social media posts falsely claiming that Trans Lifeline’s Canadian hotline number (877-330-6366) is a new national sui
The claim followed revelations that the Trump admin planned to eliminate specialized services for suicide prevention among LGBTQ+ youth.
I’m assuming some people on the web assumed the worst for TTP and went guns blazing in on this.
Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonateIt has been reported that a leaked, draft version of the administration’s proposed fed
However, there is some half-truths to this story.
1. The Canada Trans Lifeline number works for Americans, but the program is specifically for Canadians, from what I understand, despite me being able to call the number on the picture (As a US citizen)
1.1 From what I am reading from CTH is that they are a support system to help trans people get the help they need to get back on their feet, in Canada.
Trans Lifeline is run by and for trans people. Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants 501(c)(3) non-profit organization offe
2. YES TTP LINES ARE STILL UP, HOWEVER, per a leaked budget back in April, it showed that TTP could lose their funding as early as September 30th of this year IF the budget is approved by Congress, AND if we don’t fight back.
TTP states this in their post that this budget is not final, but with all the bullshit going on in DC, if no action is taken, I’m certain they will lose their funding.
So here is what you can do RIGHT NOW TO HELP
1. Sign the petition. All you need is an email address and a zip code if you wish to remain anonymous.
The federal government has proposed eliminating all federal funding for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Servic
2. DONATE.
3. Do not forget about this. Continue to share it when you see it.
4. Blow up your congressmen’s phones about this budget once we hear it’s going up for a vote, he’ll, start blowing up their phones NOW.
And here is a link to the article that leaked the draft budget proposal :) If you scroll down there is a download link to look at the PDF (apologies if it’s a bit blurry, that is how the leak came out)
Here it is, in its entirety.
When shit like this is even discussed we can’t ’wait and see’ anymore we have to be as proactive as possible.
Just look what happened to all the college students who were waiting for their debts to be fixed, but now some of them are having payments pulled straight from their checks.
