Hello loves.
Saying it's a crazy week is an understatement. Saying there's a lot of tension in the air or that high emotions are brewing is an understatement. I don't think a lot of people are happy. From what I've seen and heard, most feel like this year was just one big game of "Picking the Lesser of Two Evils" with both options not exactly being wanted.
It's not my business what side people fall on, but I just find it weird that this has happened again.
And again.
And again.
Like really? Really, we have to go through people gritting their teeth & openly saying it's a lose-lose again? How does this keep happening? Why does this keep happening?
(Don't ask me, I'm just as confused as you are.)
I'm sure someone far smarter and wiser than me that has a degree in social studies or human psychology has an answer. I've seen terms of "snowball effect" and "group think" and "fear-mongering" thrown around to explain away the confusion, but that honestly makes it worse. I just don't think using buzzwords or generic terms so often that they lose all meaning is a feasible way of preventing this from happening again.
And that's kinda what it comes down to. The "again" part. The implication that we've all seen this film before, we didn't like the ending, but unlike a movie protagonist, we're not doing anything to change.
I feel like for my whole life (and by that, I mean since my 8-year-old brain first began to process important, nationwide decisions) I've heard people express the same frustrated sentiment that's only grown into a snarling shout of rage. Usually something along the lines of "I don't want to have to pick between Bad Option 1 & Bad Option 2!"
And yet? Despite all the swears that it will be different next time, that this will be prevented next time, it always feels like we face this same decision. Maybe in a different font with different faces, but still the same issue: How did it come down to these two?
It's not frustrating. That's not a strong enough word. And again, I don't care which side you fall on, but can we just admit there's a problem when headlines are literally using phrases like "Double-Haters?" I just feel like that's a clear sign that something is wrong.
Like yeah, I know I'm only in my 20s. I haven't been around that long, but I just feel like this isn't right. There's compromising and then there's holding your nose, closing your eyes, and hoping you can just ride it out until the next go around. But we shouldn't have to make decisions with that mindset.
Already, I'm seeing people say what went wrong to lead to this year. Lots of great insight from people who study this for a living, a lot of suggestions on how to avoid a repeat of this for next time, and plenty of other things that probably work but only if the effort is made.
Others are starting to say 'yeah, this is just how it is' and seem perfectly fine (i.e., apathetic) with us speedrunning toward a never-ending cycle of extremes that don't really represent the majority of human beings in this country.
So, I don't know. I don't have much advice to offer, except for two things:
1)Breathe in. Surround yourself with your loved ones. Use your head and do your own research with your own logic and understanding, not just consuming the sensationalism the 24-hours news cycle dangle for views. Be kind--to yourself and others. It's a scary time for pretty much everyone for a lot of reasons, and I truly think more division does not help anyone. Whether you're happy or upset about today---please be kind.
2)Scream it out. I'm serious. I've said before that sometimes a good cry can work wonders, and now I'm saying that sometimes a good scream can help. Just let it out, in whatever verbal or nonverbal way you want, but don't hold it in. Don't let the feelings of helplessness or fear or anger or nihilism fester inside you. Scream it out into the night sky until you're hoarse or scribble it out with a pen or brush until the manifestation of stress is fully out and on paper. However you have to do it, get it out, just don't bottle it up. Share it, allow others to help you carry it and carry them in return.
All I'm asking is that you don't stay paralyzed. Do something to fight the fear and the dread. Even if it's just a scream.
I love y'all <3
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