I don’t think anyone would argue the fact that the world seems to be getting crazier. Is it something in the water? The air? The food we eat? Or is it other things we consume, like social media, talk radio, and the 24-hour news cycle?
Regardless, I think everyone is affected in some way, either large or small. I try to limit my exposure to the news and focus mostly on local stuff. When I see the national and international headlines, I feel anxious and angry. While I think it’s important to stay informed, there’s a limit to how much craziness I can take.
So as things go sideways socially and politically, what can we do to stay sane?
As I noted above, limiting exposure to the news helps. So much bad news can weigh on us even if we don’t consciously realize it. Same goes for social media. With all the disinformation, AI-generated slop, and outright lies, exposing yourself to social media is like walking into a vat of toxic chemicals.
I’m also a proponent of journaling. Writing about what’s on your mind can help you to sort things out and gain perspective. There’s no judgement, it’s just you and a blank page. I like to journal with a paper and pen, but there are journaling apps available, or you can simply open a word processor and type away. Some people even use their blogs as their personal journals. It’s a great way to work through your thoughts.
While it’s not always an affordable option, counseling is also beneficial. Talking to someone about how the outside world is affecting you can really lighten the load. And it doesn’t necessarily need to be a licensed therapist. Just talk to a close friend, someone who will listen without judgement.
I also like to meditate. I don’t check out for long periods of time. Usually, it’s ten or fifteen minutes of sitting quietly and focusing on my breathing. It’s a wonderful way to decompress. When I feel anxious or uptight, a five-minute breathing session can set me back on track and put my head in a good space. In fact, I’ve gone into a short meditation session stressing over a problem, then came out of it with a clear head and a solution.
Both our mental and physical health can be affected by the world around us, so it’s important to take time to take care of yourself.
What are some things you do to maintain your state of mind when things get crazy?
RB
Decorating, cleaning, renovating, spending time with the furbaby. Journaling and blogging. Both are cathartic, but I do hold back when blogging. 🙁 Thankfully there are private groups where I can connect to likeminded folks without self-censoring.
LOL…I feel that! It’s interesting because your stories are so accessible, but at the same time they all contain a lesson (and there are folks out there who would be terribly offended by those lessons…sad for them). I’m glad to know you have ways of keeping the madness at bay…and please give your furbaby some scratches for me. 🙂
Thanks, Richard. Made me feel better to read this. Furbaby is the happy recipient of behind the ear scratches. 😃 She was rescued as an itty-bitty pup from a backyard breeding situation after my last furbaby passed over. She’s the first puppy I’ve ever had. I’ve only adopted adult dogs before. Potty training was quite an adventure. 😅
Thank you for adopting her. She’s a lucky girl. 🐾
Yes I resonate with everything you said. I try to not use my blog site for stress relief although I think it is good to be authentic.
Journalling, painting, gardening, baking, knitting and crochet… I guess anything creative and crafty gets me absorbed. One other thing is connecting with someone in a constructive way where they feel supported can be very enlivening and I forget about the troubles of the world. I have to tell myself we can’t help everyone but we can help one person at a time.
That’s wonderful, my friend! I agree, being there for others and helping them can not only help distract us from the craziness, but also give us something positive to focus on. You’re a good person for doing that.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you. You too ☺️
Very true, every word. A highly informative and helpful post rich. Thanks as always. Couldn’t agree more. Something that I did recently to stay sane and gain perspective, was to analyse the work of Frank Zappa. So much to like and share. Thanks again buddy.
Many thanks, mate! I appreciate the kind words.
I really enjoyed your post on Zappa’s catalog. Incredible amount of work you put into that. I’m glad it helped to keep you centered.
What you said about meditation is very important.
Too many people think it should be two hour long sessions and expect to be caries away by unicorns. When in fact, a 10 min. Breathing and visualization exercise can sufficiently energize for a couple of more hours. I have always preffered the short ones 🙂
As for the news, I honestly don’t know what going on in the world, other than a few memes I come across.
Like you, I just can’t handle all the sadness that is going on. My mind is choatic enough as it is.
Drawing is always a therapy for me.
Sharing them on this blog is too. As well as interacting with people on here, because I feel it is more genuine than other social media.
Books, of course, are a big distractions from the world.
And animals. Of course, my fish and watching people walking there dogs from my window. Or even just watching a nature documentary 🙂
All wonderful ways to keep yourself grounded and sane, my friend! I love your illustrations – it’s nice to start my day smiling at your latest creations. 🙂
And I do miss the serenity of my aquariums, but they got to be too much on my ever growing to-do list! Tell your fish I said hello, please!
TBH Richard, I only worry about what I can influence, the rest well…….it’ll eventually sort itself out.
That’s a healthy attitude, Sheree. No sense in stressing over the things we can’t control. I’m still working on that! 😉
Good luck
Wise words in a wild world!
I doodle, do mindful drawing, writing, journal, and walk mindfully … and talking to my bestie is a kind of therapy to me, and also sometimes we just go out together in the unknown or just being with each other, cooking or hang out together doing any kind of activity – these give me immense joy and peace within ♥️
That’s good to hear, Roksana. It’s nice when you have someone to help keep you in balance.
I hope you find a little bit of joy today! 🙂
Write poems or create song parodies to whatever song is on the Oldies station. To be able to do it on the fly, I have to already be familiar with the lyrics and melody.
Poetry helps me, as well, Pat. Of course, I’d love to hear some of your song parodies. Do you plan on recording any of them? 🙂
My singing voice is rather uneven (horrible to almost good enough to listen to), I have to know the song fairly well before I even begin to make up a parody and they are usually on some personal habits of family members so maybe not suitable for public sharing. Give me a Christmas carol of your choice in the reply and if I know the Carol, I will reply with a personalized parody of you, based upon the little I know of you through your blog.
Oh, I’m honored, Pat! I considered challenging you with The Twelve Days, but that would have been mean! 🙂
If you feel inspired, I’ve always loved Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 🦌
All very true Richard. I find the world very sad at the moment and I know being on social media is affecting my mood. However, I can’t help but feel the need to see what is happening, I don’t want to bury my head in the sand but then also I can’t do anything to ease anyone’s suffering. I try to keep busy, go for walks, exercise etc. It’s good for the soul.
All good ways to clear your head, my friend. Thanks for stopping by.
No problem.