I recommend reading Heather Cox Richardson’s Letter from an American. That helps to keep me sane while I avoid most of the news. I am embracing the joy in my life, my family & the arts, while also feeling empathy for the people who voted for this with no idea what voting for him actually will mean for them. I acknowledge I live in a bubble in Berkeley Ca & didn’t really believe this could happen. I am waiting for it to implode. Magical thinking?
I made my way through War and Peace last year with a Slow Read group led by Simon Haisell on Substack. (Recommend) So I’ve been fostering a long view. It helps, but I also can’t be passive at this time. I don’t listen or read the news as regularly as I once did, but I am committed to staying informed and to listening. Listening and reading as you are, Molly, to try to understand. (Even though it can be like eating a grisly piece of steak; perfect metaphor.) I want to understand the divide, so I can make my case for what I believe is essential. To keep my fire lit, I’m reading a lot of books — eternally grateful for the library and independent bookstores. Yesterday, I finished and can recommend The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing. “If a new model of society is desired, one that attempts to share its burdens and benefits more equably, then the question of the garden becomes very interesting to contemplate.” “There is no point looking for Eden on a map. It’s a dream that is carried in the heart … Take it outside and shake the seed.” Shake. Shake. And this: https://youtu.be/wf2npZpL99s
I can very much relate to the tightrope act of wanting to be informed but not invaded. It's an exhausting and fraut place to spend what used to be my NPR- filled days.
The New Yorker Radio Hour interview with Sarah McBride - this was produced immediately after the election when Rep. McBride was getting a lot of unwanted attention; her calm, selfless words in this interview were great cause for hope, and inspiring - I want to be that kind of person.
Thank you for this resonant read.❤️ Just last night I started a to read list for books of resistance & hope. Here’s what I’ve got so far: On Tyranny, Parable of the Sower, What It Takes to Heal, Without Exception, How We Learn to Brave, See No Stranger. Excited to also listen to that On Being episode!
I'm also trying to figure out the balance of staying informed but not having it mess with my mood and mental health. I think minimizing the intake of information, discourse or the opinion of others from social media is going to be the best for me. I'll just read or listen to the cold hard facts to be in the know but without other people's emotions adding to the noise.
I'm really struggling with attention, too - I don't want that man in my head, but I don't want to look away from the harm he's causing. I've been trying to redirect some of my attention/headspace to constructive things I can do to try to counter this mess. This week, it's been calling each of my senator's office's twice a day to leave a message about what I think they should be doing. They're both Republicans, but I'm calling anyways and asking for them to respond. I've also been trying to donate to mutual aid groups (a good one for this week is distributeaid.org HRT Harm Reduction Toolkit: https://www.omprakash.org/global/distribute-aid/crowdfund/hrt---harm-reduction-toolkit). Because I'm a federally funded biomedical researcher, I working on strategies to try to support programs and people that are at risk if that kind of funding disappears. And finally, I'm trying to be in community with like-minded people to remind myself that we can fight this together.
The priest at my Catholic (!!) church in NJ stood up to Trump and every other so-called Christian who is praising his mass deportation plans. He praised Budde and reminded us all that we need to call out the injustices we see. What a world we’re living in when a Catholic Church is a progressive voice of reason.
Anyway, it was a glimmer for me (you know, one of those glimmers of joy). He got a round of applause! Another glimmer!
I’ve been spending too much time on social media. But I plan to use my library card in an obscene way this year and watch as many funny tv shows (Secret Lives of College Girls!!!!) as I can.
It feels like I have a finite amount of passion and energy and care to give, and when I deplete it by watching clips of him talking or reading tweets that enrage me, I don't have much left to actually *do something.* After the election I decided my subtle act of resistance is volunteering a lot. I guess it's like "fuck you for being a jerk, I'm gonna be extra helpful+kind to get back at you" To everybody who voted for him (Lol?) And I think I refused to lose faith in the food of people, so I had to put up or shut up about that. And I actually have energy to show up to volunteer shifts and have empathy for people, because I've been consuming zero news since the election. I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do, but it feels like a good tradeoff for now.
I'm not even american and I feel offended reading your comment. Just the other day I was talking to a bunch of friends and we were wondering how could american women vote for this monstrosity. I guess I know now. I am ashamed , ashamed. Plus as a middle eastern , insulted for obvious reasons I guess , now more than ever . Riviera huh?
I can’t believe I’m reading this. So you support Molly as a subscriber but you also excitedly support a regime that would endanger Molly and her family under Project 2025?
And Laken Riley? What about all the other young women that were murdered by American citizens last year. Why don’t they get an act in their name?
No, the majority of Americans did not feel this way under Biden. The claim of $50 million to Gaza for condoms has been debunked. Just because Trump and the White House states something doesn’t make it true. In fact, there’s a high probability that it is a lie.
I just read Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange and highly recommend! Also, when you talked about that numb feeling, yes, for myself, I sometimes think it's from being Gen X, growing up in a culture of cold war, latchkeys, and randomness where we learned to expect anything and deal with it.
i so recognize this 'dance of attention' in my own actions/non-actions. its a constant negotiation for me to be informed but not addicted to the outrage. i'm on the edge of fuming at all times and i don't know how to get past that to actual action. i hope that motivation comes back soon... probably i should interact with more people in real life, i've heard that does wonders.
deleting my social media has helped me at least be more mindful and intentional with when i read the news so i'm not pairing atrocities with breakfast photos and weight loss ads.
i see this election as apocaplytic-- but not as in an 'end of the world' but its actual definition as an 'unveiling' or a revelatory experience of the state of things like your realization of what 'normalcy' is. this is especially so because of my evangelical background and how utterly vile these 'christian' nationalists are makes me apoplectic. the vast majority of the time i want to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to my religious upbringing but i did find solace in bishop budde's sermon and sometimes in some christian writers who are actively fighting against the evils of christian nationalism like Kristen du Mez, Beth Allison Barr and Jemar Tisby.
I recommend reading Heather Cox Richardson’s Letter from an American. That helps to keep me sane while I avoid most of the news. I am embracing the joy in my life, my family & the arts, while also feeling empathy for the people who voted for this with no idea what voting for him actually will mean for them. I acknowledge I live in a bubble in Berkeley Ca & didn’t really believe this could happen. I am waiting for it to implode. Magical thinking?
Thanks, Molly. I've also been looking for ways to move past the instinctual and protective avoidance of all things "trump".
I made my way through War and Peace last year with a Slow Read group led by Simon Haisell on Substack. (Recommend) So I’ve been fostering a long view. It helps, but I also can’t be passive at this time. I don’t listen or read the news as regularly as I once did, but I am committed to staying informed and to listening. Listening and reading as you are, Molly, to try to understand. (Even though it can be like eating a grisly piece of steak; perfect metaphor.) I want to understand the divide, so I can make my case for what I believe is essential. To keep my fire lit, I’m reading a lot of books — eternally grateful for the library and independent bookstores. Yesterday, I finished and can recommend The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing. “If a new model of society is desired, one that attempts to share its burdens and benefits more equably, then the question of the garden becomes very interesting to contemplate.” “There is no point looking for Eden on a map. It’s a dream that is carried in the heart … Take it outside and shake the seed.” Shake. Shake. And this: https://youtu.be/wf2npZpL99s
Thank you all for sharing your ideas and thank you, Molly, for opening up the space for everyone to do it.
I’ll share one that’s very different: the comedian DeAnne Smith started doing comedy zooms doing the pandemic and has kept on it as “tender comedy for tough times.” There’s a show this Friday, pay what you can, where you’ll find some laughs, like-minded people, and DeAnne’s going to share what they learned at an ICEWatchNYC training last week. Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/deanne-smith-acquaintances-tender-comedy-for-tough-times-tickets-1205971295609?aff=oddtdtcreator&mc_cid=718b5a795b&mc_eid=d493877850
I can very much relate to the tightrope act of wanting to be informed but not invaded. It's an exhausting and fraut place to spend what used to be my NPR- filled days.
Thanks for all these resources! I have two more recommendations:
The Tangle - https://shows.acast.com/tangle
The New Yorker Radio Hour interview with Sarah McBride - this was produced immediately after the election when Rep. McBride was getting a lot of unwanted attention; her calm, selfless words in this interview were great cause for hope, and inspiring - I want to be that kind of person.
This is wonderful, Molly. And so helpful. Sharing.
Thank you for this resonant read.❤️ Just last night I started a to read list for books of resistance & hope. Here’s what I’ve got so far: On Tyranny, Parable of the Sower, What It Takes to Heal, Without Exception, How We Learn to Brave, See No Stranger. Excited to also listen to that On Being episode!
I'm also trying to figure out the balance of staying informed but not having it mess with my mood and mental health. I think minimizing the intake of information, discourse or the opinion of others from social media is going to be the best for me. I'll just read or listen to the cold hard facts to be in the know but without other people's emotions adding to the noise.
I'm really struggling with attention, too - I don't want that man in my head, but I don't want to look away from the harm he's causing. I've been trying to redirect some of my attention/headspace to constructive things I can do to try to counter this mess. This week, it's been calling each of my senator's office's twice a day to leave a message about what I think they should be doing. They're both Republicans, but I'm calling anyways and asking for them to respond. I've also been trying to donate to mutual aid groups (a good one for this week is distributeaid.org HRT Harm Reduction Toolkit: https://www.omprakash.org/global/distribute-aid/crowdfund/hrt---harm-reduction-toolkit). Because I'm a federally funded biomedical researcher, I working on strategies to try to support programs and people that are at risk if that kind of funding disappears. And finally, I'm trying to be in community with like-minded people to remind myself that we can fight this together.
The priest at my Catholic (!!) church in NJ stood up to Trump and every other so-called Christian who is praising his mass deportation plans. He praised Budde and reminded us all that we need to call out the injustices we see. What a world we’re living in when a Catholic Church is a progressive voice of reason.
Anyway, it was a glimmer for me (you know, one of those glimmers of joy). He got a round of applause! Another glimmer!
I’ve been spending too much time on social media. But I plan to use my library card in an obscene way this year and watch as many funny tv shows (Secret Lives of College Girls!!!!) as I can.
Love to all ❤️❤️🙏🙏
It feels like I have a finite amount of passion and energy and care to give, and when I deplete it by watching clips of him talking or reading tweets that enrage me, I don't have much left to actually *do something.* After the election I decided my subtle act of resistance is volunteering a lot. I guess it's like "fuck you for being a jerk, I'm gonna be extra helpful+kind to get back at you" To everybody who voted for him (Lol?) And I think I refused to lose faith in the food of people, so I had to put up or shut up about that. And I actually have energy to show up to volunteer shifts and have empathy for people, because I've been consuming zero news since the election. I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do, but it feels like a good tradeoff for now.
I'm not even american and I feel offended reading your comment. Just the other day I was talking to a bunch of friends and we were wondering how could american women vote for this monstrosity. I guess I know now. I am ashamed , ashamed. Plus as a middle eastern , insulted for obvious reasons I guess , now more than ever . Riviera huh?
Goodbye! 👋🏼
I can’t believe I’m reading this. So you support Molly as a subscriber but you also excitedly support a regime that would endanger Molly and her family under Project 2025?
And Laken Riley? What about all the other young women that were murdered by American citizens last year. Why don’t they get an act in their name?
You have been conned and brainwashed by Trump.
Why is your comment so condescending?
We don’t feel safe. We don’t feel your kindness.
We don’t feel well.
Happy?
No, the majority of Americans did not feel this way under Biden. The claim of $50 million to Gaza for condoms has been debunked. Just because Trump and the White House states something doesn’t make it true. In fact, there’s a high probability that it is a lie.
As someone who does not live in the US my mind is blown that it is once again, Trump’s America so I can’t even imagine how it must feel to live there.
I just read Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange and highly recommend! Also, when you talked about that numb feeling, yes, for myself, I sometimes think it's from being Gen X, growing up in a culture of cold war, latchkeys, and randomness where we learned to expect anything and deal with it.
i so recognize this 'dance of attention' in my own actions/non-actions. its a constant negotiation for me to be informed but not addicted to the outrage. i'm on the edge of fuming at all times and i don't know how to get past that to actual action. i hope that motivation comes back soon... probably i should interact with more people in real life, i've heard that does wonders.
deleting my social media has helped me at least be more mindful and intentional with when i read the news so i'm not pairing atrocities with breakfast photos and weight loss ads.
i see this election as apocaplytic-- but not as in an 'end of the world' but its actual definition as an 'unveiling' or a revelatory experience of the state of things like your realization of what 'normalcy' is. this is especially so because of my evangelical background and how utterly vile these 'christian' nationalists are makes me apoplectic. the vast majority of the time i want to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to my religious upbringing but i did find solace in bishop budde's sermon and sometimes in some christian writers who are actively fighting against the evils of christian nationalism like Kristen du Mez, Beth Allison Barr and Jemar Tisby.
thanks for sharing this