Pandemics, quarantine, massive unemployment, riots, rampant racism, political divides, murder hornets, cancel culture, Saharan duststorms and f**cking Carole Baskin are just a few of the highlights of 2020 and the hits keep a-coming. Sometimes it’s just too much and you want to lock yourself in your house and hide. I have to admit, it is getting hard for a positive person like me to stay upbeat these days. I mean seriously with everything going on in the world, people are worried about wearing a mask. And they call me a Drama Queen!
Now all of a sudden we have people called Karens (or Chads or Kens or, in my world, Giuseppes – sounds more exotic), who are causing all these disturbances because of entitlement issues, racism and or just plain inconvenience. I feel sorry for the families of these Karen people; can you imagine being trapped in the house with them? I mean when you do something bad at home, who does she call? She is the manager!
I have a theory about Karens; most of them have lived their life escaping reality, relying on someone else to do the heavy-lifting for them such as teachers, parents and/or significant others. Now with COVID, their children are at home full-time, so they have to be engaged with them all the time and many of them or their spouses have lost their job so their income is tight curtailing their lifestyle. And since they do not want to literally kill the babysitter, grandma/grandpa are unable to watch the kids or help out.
There is not enough Xanax in the world to help them with their anxiety, hence they go out in public angry and ready to fight. Because she (or he) knows at home no one cares or will listen to their bull, they have to take it out on others. And here we are today. Oh joy.
How do we combat this tireless brigade of negativity when it is literally all around us from social media to grocery stores? I am not a psychologist nor have any medical experience beyond lusting after Patrick Dempsey from Grey’s Anatomy, but here are a few ways to try to stay positive.
Exercise Get outside and experience nature. You can socially distance as well as boost your immune system. From going to one of our parks to walking in your own neighborhood, just get outside, the fresh air will do you good.
Social Media Get away from it and the news for a little while. I understand, since everyone is under quarantine, the need for human interaction is missed. Trolling everyone (friends and strangers) and getting into arguments several times a day, however, is not healthy for you. I do have to admit watching people slowly unravel on Facebook has been a guilty pleasure. Now I see the appeal of such train wreck TV shows like The Bachelor, The Real Housewives of Anyplace and Southern Charmed (which is especially horrible). There are better things to be looking at.
Volunteer If you are able, there are food banks desperate for help; there’s even one that caters to the LGBT community. This will satisfy your need for human interaction in a safe environment while you do a good deed.
Read Catch up on it. If you are like me, you have a stack of books at home that you have not gotten to yet. My pile has gone down substantially since I’ve been home (and unemployed).
Clean Your House Or do home projects. I Maria Kondo’ed my entire home and redid my fence in the backyard. It felt good to accomplish things that I had put off for way too long.
Call a Friend Or socially-distant visit someone. Now that we have the time, this is a great opportunity to catch up with people. Zoom Zoom!
Get a Hobby Learn to bake, sew, cook, whatever it may be. Now is a chance for you to let your creative being run free. Creativity expands your mind and helps keep the darkness out.
These are just some quick little ideas to keep you moving forward. Depression is real and no amount of medicine, meditation or vodka can totally mask the troubles in the world now. But we can recognize it, understand it, and try not to be swallowed up by it. Until next issue, stay safe and healthy.
