The ugliness and chaos is getting to me.

[cilla4progress]

Anyone else?

I'm angry much of the time. I need relief.

[badhair77]

1. I'm with you, cilla.

I go between anger and sadness. It’s tough to keep emotions up. I have to turn off this convention nonsense.

[Walleye]

2. Anger and sadness as well. Today I'm just tired

Not sleeping well at all.

[tulipsandroses]

3. Sometimes you just have to turn away. Its a lot. I did not watch Jacob Blake's shooting. Too much

Its Trauma. We are all being traumatized over and over and over.
I am not watching the RNC convention. I am not going to punish myself listening to their hateful fright fest. Some things, I am deciding to tune out because I just can't deal with all this trauma at the moment.

Am I hopeful for change? Yes. Absolutely. Doesn't stop me from being angry and sad at everything going on right now. Sometimes I need a break.

[smirkymonkey]

9. Same here. And I believe there are millions of us who are literally being traumatized who

don't really quite understand what is happening to ourselves mentally and emotionally. We are going to end up as a nation of people suffering from PTSD and most people won't even understand what or why they are feeling what they are feeling, nor why they feeling so depressed, disoriented and helpless.

I feel like we need the prominent psychiatrists to speak up and help guide us through it. Those who have written the books on Trump and what kind of affect he is having on the nation at large. Psych professional such as Bandy Lee, Lance Dodes, Robert Jay Lifton, etc., should follow up on their work and help to heal a nation that is hurting over this nightmare of a presidency.

People need to know that they are not crazy, but that the situation we find ourselves in is crazy and we are only reacting as sane people react to an insane state of affairs.

[Celerity]

4. ...

[SophieJean]

5. It's important to take a break

Not watching the shitfest, just getting the lowlights from various progressive sites. Some of the humorous takes on the RNC "speakers" really helps (temporarily.)
There's no reason to endure the insanity of this "convention," where fascistic propaganda abounds. Meanwhile, the gop, etc., continue to assault the rule of law.
It's going to be crazy until November 3rd, and beyond. We have to stay strong and vote no matter what. I've decided to drop my ballot off, and not mail it.
Hang in there!

[LSparkle]

6. Good advice!

Especially about dropping off your ballot. I’m permanent absentee and my company has given us the day off so I have all the time I need to go drop my ballot off and make sure it gets counted. I love the USPS but I’m not going to count on them this year since I have the time off to deliver my vote in person.

[Turbineguy]

7. It seems to be happening all over.

But there's plenty to be optimistic about. Maybe talk a walk in the woods.

[vapor2]

8. TOTALLY angry, depressed, frustrated

about the dark vision, the chaos, the lack of accountability, the disregard for the law AND for human life. I am seriously considering Portugal. Anyone know what country will accept us?

[Celerity]

12. If you have a defined shortage skillset or grandparental or closer lineage, then many will, provided

you are not too old, and are in decent health.

I will tell you now (I am a triple citizen, US, UK, Sweden) it is NOT easy at all. Sweden is one of the easier EU nation states to get into, and it is, atm, a nightmare due to now laws and also becuase of COVID-19. Trump as well, he has truly made the US (as an entity) hated over here, and many places broadbrush Americans far more now than just 5, 10 years ago.

[smirkymonkey]

13. Right now?

I think Ireland, the UK, Slovenia in Europe, but with strict restrictions. Mexico and maybe Costa Rica. A few other countries here and there. I searched, but it was really hard to find a definite list.

Maybe if our Covid cases go down thing will change. Depending upon your ethnic heritage, certain countries have "Right of Return" but it's kind of a complicated process. It can be done though.

I can qualify as an Italian/EU citizen since my Italian paternal grandfather was not a naturalized US citizen until after my father was born. However, I don't think Italy is one of those countries who is welcoming us with open arms right now.

I have been fantasizing about living in Europe all my life. I studied there in college and have gone back and forth a lot and I feel more comfortable and peaceful there than I do over here. I have always felt kind of out of place as an American, and though I am not European and there are many difference to overcome, I always feel like I relate so much better to them in many ways.

[a kennedy]

10. and all I do is swear EVERY TIME I SEE HIM.....Gawd Damn Him, Fawk Him, Screw Him

And I’M DRINKING TO MUCH AS WELL.

[Bettie]

11. Me too

I do not like who I am right now. I am angry and, for the first time in my life, I feel actual hate.

[Golden Raisin]

14. Angry. Worried. Constant hum of low-level Trump/Repuke/Corona

depression running in the background. Sleeping poorly. And lots more. Aware of it which is half the battle.

[electric_blue68]

15. Different distractions, actions help...

Apologies if this seems too obvious, possibly trite, but I started following politics around '65, '66 - this is (besides being a semi-activist) how I've dealt with Republican Administrations, a d the fear, anxiety, sadness, sorrow, and anger/fury they can evoke.
Also sometimes we get on 'automatic pilot' and we forget our usually coping skills.

For myself

I hardly ever listen to him live in the past 2+ yrs or only listen infrequently to news radio snippets, after I released how upset, angry I became!

I listen to more music. Sometimes at first something like that Muse song back in ? the mid '00's to vent. Then what ever else I love in Rock, Alt, Indie, R&B, Soul, Funk: the great Univ station WFUV-FM provides a lot of this! More Classical, and minimalist Steve Reich, and Movie Soundtracks.

Looking at beautiful photos of Nature from Macro to wide open landscapes. Looking at photos of Human Creativity: Art, Architecture, Jewelry, Clothing, Crafts from all manner of cultures, and time periods.

Concentrate on my hobbies. Try new approaches with in those activities. Try something totally new, or something I've wanted to try, and haven't yet done so.

Dive into a good book, good TV, good movies.

Convos by phone, text with family and friends - when we're really into our convos I can forgot why we're talking so much this way instead of f2f.

Try cooking new recipes (for me when it cools down weather wise).

Hope this helps.