I don’t even know how to say this anymore without sounding like a damn broken record, but ever since Trump got elected in November, my mental health has been slipping. And lately it’s not just slipping. It’s more like I jumped off a cliff and freefalling toward jagged rocks.

I’ve done everything I’m supposed to. I stay active. I run 3 to 5 miles on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I exercise 3 to 5 days a week. I spend time outside. I touch grass. But none of it works anymore. It just doesn’t take the edge off like it used to.

I know doomscrolling makes it worse. I know the news and social media are built to keep people angry and scared. I try to pull away from it. But even when I do, I get hit from another angle. My girlfriend sends me political messages all day long, like she’s trying to convince me of something I already agree with. I’ve told her to give me some space, but it doesn’t stop. It’s like she needs me to be in constant panic mode with her, and I just can’t do it anymore.

Lately I find myself dreading conversation. I don’t even want to hear another human voice. I’m tired in a way I don’t know how to fix.

I thought retirement was going to bring me some peace. I’ve worked hard my whole life. I thought I had earned some quiet. Instead, the world keeps getting louder, and none of the things I used to do to cope are cutting it.

Is anybody else feeling this way?

  • PahdyGnome@lemmy.world
    0·
    2 days ago

    I don’t know how helpful this will be but I’ll give it a go anyway. One big difference I can immediately see between us is that you’re retired whereas I am not and I find that I’m far too busy at work to think about how doomed the world is. Perhaps a hobby you can really lean into would serve the same purpose for you?

    As far as social media goes I was already only on Reddit until the great exodus. By the time I found Lemmy I was already out of the habit of going onto Reddit every day and I’ve noticed since then I have been a lot better at ignoring the political stuff that comes across my YouTube feed unless I specifically feel like watching it.

    I’ve been dealing with depression a lot longer than there’s been an oompa loompa in the White House but I actually find it’s been easier to deal with since I’ve been working more and distracted less by social media.

    Again, I dont know how helpful you might find this but I figured it was at least worth mentioning what seems to work for me. Perhaps you might find a mix of several answers on this thread works for you. You can’t solve the problems of the world but there is always a way to feel better about your little corner of it and yourself as a whole.