Has anyone else here been having feelings of complete dread lately?

[LuckyCharms]

Hard to explain...both my wife and I have been feeling the same way.

I think a lot of it might have to do with the possibility of either getting sick with something other than Covid and having to have an extended hospital stay, or...limiting our doctor's appointments due to Covid. We do keep most of our appointments, but not all.

Also, the fact that former President Fuckface hasn't dropped dead yet, and his cohorts and supporters are literally insane and they continue their attempts to fuck up anything that is good and reasonable.

We miss going to concerts, going out to eat, hugging our friends, hell, even SEEING our friends.

I hate having weak moments like this. We don't have a lot, but we have more than many people do.

Anyway, if you have been feeling like we have, rest assured, you are not alone.

[Javaman]

1. I live in Texas and as we head into another winter, I do.

since asshole abbott, my asshole gov, really hasn't done shit to improve the utility problems we had last winter.

[LuckyCharms]

3. I feel ya...

I have family in Texas.

[Champp]

42. Abbott has done shit on power? Even for a Republican, that's an abomination

The Republican governor is pissing idiotically on the people of Texas -

[ShazzieB]

115. Abbott is pissing on the people of Tesas all right.

And he's also grinning idiotically the whole time. That's what I find most enraging about him. It seems like every time I see a news clip of him talking about about something like the abortion ban or his covid atrocities, he's got a huge shit eating grin plastered on his face, like he's just so proud of himself he can hardly stand it.

The things he's doing are bad enough. The smugness while he's doing them is just plain sick.

[hamsterjill]

45. I'm in Texas

And I share your concern. Especially since I think Abbutt, et al will just say it’s the supply chain. The freeze was eight days of hell last year. I don’t relish a repeat.

[Captain Zero]

58. I hope it bites all the companies moving to Texas

They deserve 8 days without power.
A company that moves to Texas pretty much shows you who they are with that move.

[Javaman]

66. Musk. another sociopath. nt

[SergeStorms]

121. Yeah, he'll fit right in.

But since he's stinking rich rules, laws and everything else, are not obstacles to anything he does. He'll hire people to pedal generators powered by bicycle power. He'll probably have them powered by Mexican laborers bussed in each day, not pay them, and then have them bussed back to Mexico, because that's what fascists do.

[certainot]

111. rejoice! the true leader/front man of the fuckface GOP is DEAD! and the radio propaganda monopoly

the Russians took over 10 or 15 years ago is going to fall apart!

[jpak]

2. Yes

When I have only one can of cat food left

[LuckyCharms]

6. I'm sorry...

[jpak]

32. Hee hee!

[Pinback]

39. "Astonish me."

https://www.newyorker.com/cartoon/a22589

[AZSkiffyGeek]

4. I'll just say I'm glad that Arizona legalized weed this year nt

[LuckyCharms]

8. Same with NY. nt

[LakeArenal]

5. No. That's just where the Cons want us.

[LuckyCharms]

7. Well, I don't really care where some fuckers want me.

I mean, fuck 'em.

[LakeArenal]

78. Telling them to get eff'ed doesn't work either.

[LuckyCharms]

90. I don't tell people that unless confronted.

What I'm saying is that I do not care what TFG supporters, Qanon people, anti-maskers, etc. think of me, or how they want me to feel or react. I have no use for them.

But, you are right. telling them to get fucked doesn't have any effect.

Telling them anything doesn't have any effect.

[LakeArenal]

110. So... you save your eff's for us on DU. O

Lovely.

[LuckyCharms]

112. Well...

I'm pretty sure that I have never told anyone on DU to fuck off more than a time or two (if even that) since I've been here.

If you are talking about my general use of the word "Fuck", then yes, I do say fuck a lot. I tend to type exactly how I speak.

And I spell it F U C K. Not "eff".

If you are trying to pick a fight, I'm not taking any bait today.

Have a nice day.

[LakeArenal]

124. You started it. You asked a question and didn't like my answer.

Thanks for the spelling lesson.

[LuckyCharms]

132. Again, there was nothing wrong with your answer.

I wasn't attacking your answer.

I was conveying that their opinions do not influence me.

Have a nice evening.

[Tomconroy]

9. I hope you get out a bit. If your vaxxed I think you can take a few

risks. I took in my first live concert Friday. I'm still riding the high.

[LuckyCharms]

12. I have that "cave syndrome" or whatever they call it.

I don't get out much, but I will sit in my yard for hours on nice days. I do indeed get out once in awhile, but in general, I avoid it.

If I'm not sitting in the yard, I keep very busy and work until I drop.

Gotta keep moving to keep the wolves at bay.

[ecstatic]

136. The more you avoid, the more anxiety you'll have about resuming normal activities.

Start with at least 1 day out of the home and work your way up. Wear your mask. Don't touch your eyes/face. You'll be fine.

[genxlib]

10. If by lately, you mean about 5 years

Then yeah, I am with you.

[LuckyCharms]

14. I warned my wife in 2016 that if TFG gets elected...

it's going to worse than she can imagine.

She thought I was overreacting then.

[genxlib]

19. I would go a step further

What we saw was worse than we expected.

I am certain that what we never saw is even way worse than that.

I am beyond being shocked by that moronic cretin but somehow I still think I would be shocked if we fully knew just how bad it was behind closed doors.

[chillfactor]

11. Being old and disabled

and living alone I feel the same as you every day. Now with winter approaching i will be even worse off as can't keep house warm as propane so expensive.

[LuckyCharms]

40. I wish no one had these worries.

It's hard to be alone, but remember to love yourself and be your own best company.

You will get through, and you will thrive.

[lindalou65]

50. Yikes

Where do you live? Is there any community assistance available for people who need it?

[mushroomhunter]

82. distressing that in these un-united states we the people are

worried about the coming Winter and staying warm... so many things wrong with that...so sorry

[essaynnc]

13. I feel the same way.....

Just today I described it as "a feeling of impending doom". I think that it's a combination of a LOT of things..... Covid and the ensuing lack of contact with friends and family, the orange guy is still around, politics in general, where the country is and is going, dread of what might be around the corner with the crazies, Climate change, work, general slowdowns in deliveries and in consumables, etc., etc.

There is much to be concerned about. And even though I'm usually the one to keep the even keel, I'm finding it difficult to stay positive. And it shows, I'm being short tempered, don't sleep well, dealing with low-level depression, and like you said, this feeling of dread.

I'm finding that I need my close friends to vent to occasionally, and they need me. We're all in this boat together. Stay strong.

[LuckyCharms]

16. Exactly the same, except that for some reason now,

I can control my temper pretty good.

You stay strong as well.

[Murphyb849]

51. Me too. You explained it exactly and you are right we need to stay strong.

[joetheman]

15. Just stop watching the news in any form. I turned CNN on about 20 mins ago and it's off already.

Can't stand anymore of this "woe is Biden" bullshit when the GOP receives accolades for obstructing everything thanks to the media singing GOP praises for and good they are are fighting the Dems. When Dems stand their ground and keep fighting for Biden's agenda, they are called the angry left, socialists, in disarray, whinners. vengeful and worse than the Taliban.

Do yourself a favor and watch some movies.

[LuckyCharms]

18. I barely watch anything on TV.

I haven't watched a movie in years.

The only way I escape is by working on projects.

[nancy1942]

17. Oh my God. Do I ever share your feelings.

Impending doom pretty much describes life right now for me. Old age and all the assorted concerns are weighing me down bad. Hard to be optimistic anymore.

[LuckyCharms]

22. You have to be tough to get old...

I really know what that means now. Hang in there!

[CousinIT]

20. Damn straight. Like I was born just in time to see...

...the demise of my country and the massive destruction of the planet's ability to support human life.

Yee fucking ha. Pfft.

[LuckyCharms]

25. I try to always remember that many have it worse than me

and I have experienced many moments of pure and complete joy in life.

That helps...temporarily.

[Ohioboy]

21. I have feelings of dread all the time these days

I think it comes from the fact that many of our fellow Americans can't see the real dangers that are threatening us.

I always thought that nearly all of my fellow countrymen would come together to fight against anything that threatened our nation's health and/or our nation's democracy, but it doesn't look that way.

Too many people think masks are the problem, ignoring the fact that we had an attempted coup by a twice impeached former guy that still gives hate rallies and wants to run again.

It's very understandable that feelings of dread would come from such a situation.

[LuckyCharms]

24. Just talking with my wife.

She started to say "How can these people..."

I cut her off and said "DON"T".

I told her you have to be insane to understand insanity, and she's not insane.

[Ohioboy]

29. It's just disheartening to find out how insane our population really is

I always thought the smart people way outnumbered the dumb. I think they still do, but the ratio is too close for my comfort, and the dumb have a loud voice.

[LuckyCharms]

31. I view them as gnats.

[Ohioboy]

36. Yes, but it's hard to view family members as gnats

I have Trump supporting family members. I blame it on right-wing media. It's sad to think they will be part of ruining our democracy.

[LuckyCharms]

37. It wasn't hard for me.

We don't speak.

Combo of being TFG supporters and some other hideous bullshit.

Well, I take that back. It is hard.

[hibbing]

23. I broke down in front of my partner about the country I love

I try to live in the moment, but the future is terrifying me. Only one party believes in democracy and people go about their daily lives like everything is okay or support the fascists.

Peace⁰]

[LuckyCharms]

27. Mine breaks down in front of me all of the time...

Sometimes I break down with her, but I usually go in another room and break down myself.

Hang tough...peace.

[BannonsLiver]

97. I stopped loving it years ago.

It’s easier that way. I’d leave tomorrow and never come back if I could. Aside from a few years from 1941-45 we’ve always been a little overrated anyway.

[SammyWinstonJack]

100. Feel the same way.

[PatrickforB]

138. Well, we have been exceptional at killing lots of people really fast!

Genocide, conquest and slavery: the three pillars of our current republic.

I love this country, too. I do - or to put it more precisely, I love what this country COULD BE if we could actually grow up and put people over profits and stop policies that enrich a few billionaire parasites at the expense of all the rest of us.

You know Stephen King? The writer? One of my favorites is the Gunslinger series, featuring Roland of Gilead, the last Gunslinger, Jake, Eddie and Susannah, as they seek out the Dark Tower in the hope they can fix the world, which has 'moved on.'

Sometimes I feel like this world has moved on. God knows, it is not the same country it was when I was a kid (self-disclosure, I'm white, male and suburb-raised).

I often ask myself what was that moment, that instant, where things started accelerating down that slope toward 'worse.'

I think it was Kennedy's assassination. I always have seen that as a successful coup by the Military Industrial Complex. We could talk a long time about the pros and cons of that, but JFK's death allowed the chicken-hawks like McNamara, Rusk and Westy to talk LBJ into sending 500,000 people over there.

That did it. That war cost $1 trillion in today's dollars ($168 billion then), and most of that went to the MIC for weapons, ammo and other military gear. All so the little boys could dress up in their Generals' uniforms, spend our money, and play a game of dominoes that killed 1.35 million people, and maimed millions more, including 1.3 million Vietnam vets that are paid disability.

Now, oh joy! we have the Prison Industrial Complex and the War on Drugs. Just as bad.

[Brainfodder]

26. Some strains do force me to work through THOUGHTS.

I do see a future where I might have be armed with a baseball bat when outside the house.

Mask wise, all they had to do was mind their own business and follow the rules.

The basic tenets are too much? Then you are 100% assholes! CASE CLOSED!?!



My sense of fairness and humor are mine, not available for sale, and apparently less common than one who thinks, would think?

[LuckyCharms]

30. It's a matter of their own self-importance.

Each one of their arguments against masking has the words ""I", "my", or "mine" in it.

[Brainfodder]

38. I saw the clip with protestors calling it child abuse, that is when all gloves should be taken off!

Last edited Mon Oct 11, 2021, 07:24 PM - Edit history (1)

CHILD ABUSE for wearing protection/preventative during an open air spread virus pandemic?

That there is stupidity 101 obvious dumb shittery?

If I made the rules that deserves 2 punches if you push/yell it @me.

Meanwhile the brain damaged by rhetoric are a little too easily triggered to attack (something) at any second?
A big chunk of them I fear are life long misery sufferers and obviously are still oblivious to it and leadership tells them what they want to hear for the vote, and then rinse repeat, nothing changes, but are told it's the others fault!

...and more pathetic perhaps, some of them are just being paid bad actors?

[walkingman]

28. Don't feel like "The Lone Ranger"- I live in Texas also. It can feel and is quite depressing. I

am not a native Texan but I was transferred here (Houston) in '74 at the age of 24 and at the time I thought it was a wonderful place. I noticed things changing after Reagan got elected in '80. Not that dramatic but people began to take sides based in politics. I think the entire country began shifting around that time.

I noticed a pretty dramatic shift in the late '80s or early '90s. The GOP "Contract with America" brought about a big divide. Family values, Religious superiority, a general "Holier than thou" attitude permeated work and even friendships. Then along came George "W" Bush who defeated Ann Richards and the urban/rural divide began to really become a dominant topic. It was a real shitshow that affected young and old alike. After that we saw the emergence of Rick Perry and the shitkicker mentality permeated Texas politics ever since. That is were we eventually got Abbott, Cornyn, Cruz, Paxton, and a boatload of "Louie Gohmert" like characters everywhere.

By the time my DW and I were in our middle 40's (around 94/95) it sucked.

It has gotten even worse since then. I truly wish I had left the state then but my DW family is all here and we thought it would improve.....wrong.

Now it feels like we are living in the "Twilight Zone" but it is not just Texas (maybe never was).

We feel your pain....you are not alone...don't give up....surely at some point things will improve?

Peace and Love!

[LuckyCharms]

33. Things will improve.

Somehow.

I never give up on anything, and you won't either.

[48656c6c6f20]

34. Lately no, just the past 25 years or so.

I'm still kicking myself for trying to give America a second chance. Should have stayed an expat.

[LuckyCharms]

35. Where were you living then?

[48656c6c6f20]

41. Where hadn't I lived is a better question haha

At that time I was living in Germany. But I had actually worked outside the USA for the previous 18 years. I miss my wunderlust years.

[Paladin]

43. President Fuckface scares me more than the virus.

With his nut-case following, he will pose a mortal threat to our democratic republic until he draws his last breath.

[NullTuples]

54. McConnell scares me even more b/c he's setting the pieces in place for years, including TFG

[Paladin]

77. I always new there were bad people in government.

It's the genuinely evil ones we're dealing with now that keep me awake at nights. There ought to be more of a public response against them.

[NullTuples]

95. It's the scale of their organized plans that terrify me.

They're playing a long game that started when they were just congressional aides in Washington DC and I get the feeling all they care about is that they "win" before they die. After that, whatever ruins are left in their wake are no longer their concern.

[Paladin]

105. Makes me wish LBJ was still alive, advising Biden.

That's the sort of hyper-intelligent, hyper-vicious input we need, right this minute. Current Democratic leadership is way too soft, and way too slow.

[634-5789]

44. Every. Fucking. Day.

[Joinfortmill]

46. Especially today.

I think a bomb is about to drop.

[John Ludi]

47. Most of my life

due to what I saw on the horizon in my teens...

and now it's much worse as that horizon gets closer and closer.

[emily333]

48. Unfortunately, yes

My feelings of doom and gloom seem to be centered on the economy. The supply-chain issues and the fact that local businesses can't find people to fill their jobs sounds alarm bells for me. I can't help thinking, "Is this what it means for the economy to collapse?"

[rockfordfile]

89. There's nothing wrong with the economy.

[Amishman]

133. Their isn't... Yet. Several very worrying storm clouds on the horizon

My worries for the short term for the country are primarily economic.

Inflation is worrying, but that's secondary to the supply chain issues.

How many holes can you punch in the combined logistical weave of the infrastructure that supports our daily lives before it all grinds to a halt?

Something like this:

company 1 can't produce widgets because they lack materials.
Company 2 can't produce the raw materials because they can't maintain their equipment.
Company 3 can't produce parts for the equipment because they have no power
Company 4 is rationing power usage because they have no fuel
Company 5 can't produce fuel because they need more widgets

[malaise]

49. Here's what you do brother

Make sure you're exercising to keep your body and mind in check. We're all facing the reality of things we miss. We sometimes have Zoom Dinners or talk to family and friends after watching movies.
A group of us walk and we actually had breakfast one morning last week right at our walking spot. Everyone brought something for the meal.
We can survive this -cheer up man!

[luvs2sing]

57. My morning walks..

have kept me sane for many years. It’s better than medication.

[malaise]

62. Way better than medication - the fresh air, the sun rising, birds singing

and regular folks greeting one another - they keep me healthy and sane

[LuckyCharms]

106. Hey malaise!

I'm a woodworker, so my way of coping is to work with wood and make old wooden things prettier!

I was walking everyday with my dog in a certain park, until people started reporting on and posting pictures in local forums of Cottonmouths being in the park (and I don't live in an area where they are supposed to be). Oh, and a mountain lion...someone snapped a pic of a mountain lion standing next to a series of picnic tables that I walk by everyday lol.

Next, it will be a rhinoceros or something.

Thank you for your words of encouragement, but all in all, I'm good, we're good. Just venting a bit.

[malaise]

108. Glad to hear that you're both good

These are rough times

[LuckyCharms]

109. .

[electric_blue68]

141. Cottonmouths, and mountain lion...oh, my! ...

I love watching lathe turning project videos.
Fascinating, and very relaxing!

[Nictuku]

52. It is ever-present

A lot has to do with the fact that I was forced into early retirement (after working for the government for 21 years in IT) and don't think I have enough in my TSP (kind of like a 401(k)) to last long enough (if I live into my 80s-90s. ) I'm good for /maybe/ 10 years.

Yes, I should probably go look for a job, but at my age (60) that is very overwhelming. My health is not the best, it is a 2 hour commute on public transportation to the nearest big city. each way. I was able to work at home for the last year due to covid and I don't miss the commute at all.

I could probably get a job working at home, and that might be what I end up doing, but again, who wants to hire a 60 year old woman with health issues? It is demoralizing to think of taking a job at low pay after a very decent career.

I am getting a pension, but it is half of what I need for monthly bills. At least the mortgage is paid.

I don't have any kids, so I'm thinking that when the 401(k) money runs out, I can get a reverse mortgage on the house maybe. I still owe a lot on it, seems the last 10 years my payments are mostly going to interest, not paying down the actual mortgage.

So instead of enjoying not working for the first time in 45 years, my gut is in knots about my future. I am caring for my 80 year old mother, who is in good health (thank god!), she lives with me, so if I get a reverse mortgage, what happens if I die before she does? I want her to have a place to live. I don't know how that works.

I never took risks with my 401(k) in the 21 years I was adding to it, but now I'm kicking myself. It would probably be double what it is if not more had I not been so afraid of the stock market. So since I've retired, I have been trying to see if I could make money off it, so that when I draw from it, it can be replenished and then last longer. I need to take about $2K a month from it until I turn 62 and can get SS (a big fuck you to my former employer right here, for not letting me work until I was 62) -

Anyway, the first couple of months were good, I was up by $4,000, and I was feeling Great! I can do this! I can pay my bills! No vacations or home improvements or other expensive things, but I had a roof, food, energy, directtv, etc. And then the last month the stock market turned to shit and now, after today, I have less than when I started! I'm feeling panicky.

So I'm constantly depressed, stressed, and that is not even mentioning all of shit happening on the political stage. It is so damn depressing.

Thanks for letting me vent. I will be alright. I have it a LOT better than a lot of people. I have my mother here (she is the best, I would do anything for her). I'm good for maybe 10 years so maybe I should just relax and enjoy the retirement life. I live in a beautiful place and feel safe and close to nature. I just need to have faith that it will all work out and I won't end up alone, living on the streets when I'm in my 70s (no wonderful daughter to take care of me). At that point, I think I would rather just not. But that is a long way off and I shouldn't go there now. If I outlive my mom, I can rent out part of the house, or sell it. There are options. It is just a lot to deal with right now.

[ARPad95]

70. There are a couple of personal finance forums that I frequent that are very good at helping

people. Hopefully, you'll be able to receive some reassurance that you're doing better than you think. Both are pro-FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and give sound advice about how to achieve FIRE no matter what stage of life you are at.

Mr Money Mustache - Ask a Mustachian forum is all about living below one's means and may provide great ideas on how to cut your expenses.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/


Mr Money Mustache - Case Studies forum is where you may want to start off because it will probably have posts from people in situations similar to yours

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/case-studies/


Bogleheads Personal Finance forum is about "non-investing personal finance issues including insurance, credit, real estate, taxes, employment and legal issues such as trusts and wills"

https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

Here's the link to the Bogleheads Getting Started wiki page:

https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started

Hope this is helpful!

[Nictuku]

72. Thank you for all that information

I appreciate it.

[ARPad95]

74. You're welcome!

[FakeNoose]

53. Are you psychic or do you believe in psychic predictions?

I try to visit a favorite psychic website periodically - once every 6 months or so - to see what their latest predictions might be. I'm not psychic myself but I sometimes have these "feelings" I can't put into words.

Anyway this group of psychics are predicting that the Democrats will win the Senate next year AND keep the House. Kamala Harris will take over more of a leadership role next year, and AOC will have a major impact on legislation for women's rights. Louis DeJoy will be gone and the USPS will be saved. There will be a vacancy on SCOTUS, however they don't say why. There will be some weather & climate upheavals, which is an easy thing to predict. There's tons more on there and I can't repeat them all because some are conflicting, and there's no way to know what's accurate.

We do have reasons to be hopeful, my friend.

https://www.jeannemayell.com/world-psychic-predictions-2021-beyond/

[calimary]

55. I know the feeling.

I’m on the leadership team in my Indivisible group. And I do a lot of work in activism. And yet it’s really frustrating because more than a few times I’ve found myself wondering if it even does any good. Sorry to have to admit that’s happening, but it was never that way before. And I’ve been involved in activism literally for a few decades.

I don’t ever remember conditions being this bad. And I was around during Nixon.

[luvs2sing]

56. Since November 2016..

I have high-functioning complex PTSD from a very chaotic childhood. I swear these past five years have pulled every trigger in my psyche over and over again, and my functioning has slowly decreased to where, when things shut down again in July, Hubster got really afraid for my mental health. I listen to this man, so I found a therapist who specializes in trauma.

I started EMDR last week, and I already see improvement in my mental state. I still have a ways to go, but I’m feeling more hopeful about my ability to recover.

We also miss going out to both perform and hear live music and eat out, two of our biggest pleasures. We did a little bit of that in June, but not now. Luckily, we have a group of close friends who are just as careful as we are and have big patios and porches, so we have been able to socialize throughout the pandemic. But no hugging, and that sucks.

Medical care is kinda wonky right now, but I have good communication with my docs and know they are doing their best, as we all are.

[secondwind]

59. I don't know anyone who hasn't felt this way once in a while, or even every day...............

It just angers me to think that we could have been over this if everyone had been vaccinated... and that is where the dread comes from...... the not knowing WHEN this will be over.

[doc03]

60. Yes but it has little to do with COVID. It is like everything is coming to a head, inflation,

reports of an energy shortage, hundreds of ships that can't get unloaded, shortages of everything,
we have 4.8% unemployment and apparently jobs can't be filled. Then we have politics, we have the presidency,
congress and can't get anything done because of a couple senators. I am afraid if things don't change soon we are going to suffer a real blood bath next year. Yes I have a feeling of dread, I am 73 years old and have never seen things so uncertain in my
entire life.

[Richard D]

61. For sure . . .

. . . it's that either understanding and/or fear that the pretty amazing life I had pre-covid is likely gone forever, to be replaced with grinding mediocrity. Too much has been destroyed, including my innate desire to recreate it all again from scratch.

[LudwigPastorius]

63. All's I know is that...

I’ve been putting off renewing my expired passport.

No more. I want to have my travel options open if the country goes full fascist over the next two big elections.

[rwheeler31]

64. We are in a red state, and like you I have been feeling very isolated and fearful. but I

also have this nagging thought that something fantastic is going to happen soon and Republicans will be in a daze for months.

[UCmeNdc]

65. Yes!

Trump might succeed in 2024,
The GOP might win in 2022

[paleotn]

67. No. Absolutely not.

[Crunchy Frog]

68. YES!!!

For me it's all about the impending fascist takover that I feel is probably unstoppable at this point.

I wake up early every morning with my heart pounding and a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I'm only able to sleep with the help of clonazepam and propranolol.

I'm not as anxious about the Covid, since my mother and I are now both triple vaxxed, and my sons are fully vaxxed. It's really the fear that this country is moving headlong into a dystopian hellscape that really has my anxiety going.

[gordianot]

69. If the creature would disappear not much would improve.

Denial of health measures and science would not stop, the Republican Party would not abandon trying to sabotage American Democracy and rule of law, Justice will continue to be under assault. Something as bad or worse than Trump will emerge and those who defend the remains of the Republic will continue to have to beg for money.

I am tired and am in a bad mood.

[Frasier Balzov]

71. I have seasonal affective sympathy for early humans.

What dread they must've felt when the sun kept sinking lower each day.

Within days of realizing that the trend was reversing and the sun was rising again, they celebrated.

A winter solstice celebration. Known by some today as Christmas.

[appalachiablue]

80. +1

[LuckyCharms]

91. NOW you tell me.

[TeamProg]

75. Yes, some dread. And then my two houses on our 5 acres both got CRUSHED by trees during the Mono

Winds event on Jan. 19th..

We had / have insurance and the damage was mostly covered, but man, lying in bed at 2:30 am when hurricane winds are snapping 140 ft ponderosa pine trees outside and then you hear a loud CRACK and a tree crashes into your bedroom and the tongue n' groove ceiling boards and ceiling fan and fiberglass insulation and wooden trusses falls on top of you. You quickly know that NEITHER yourself or wife are hurt so you just start cussing "" sh*t f*ck god-dammit, f*ck shit. what a pain in the ass this is going to be "". Then you go out in gale force winds to see how our next door rental house is and it's also got a big tree stretched across the kitchen, laundry room through the master bath.

So, how was your year?

Oh yeah, and MAGATS were threatening OUR local health care workers over COVID issues... yes, threats. WTF is up with people?!

At least Biden won and we have the Congress, right? Right???

[electric_blue68]

139. Good graciousness! 😲

[Dopers_Greed]

76. Yeah, it's been horrible recently

COVID ruined my life.

Most of my friends moved away during the pandemic. And the lack of social events completely killed whatever life I had.

And the people that are still around I can't even see. Everyone's employers have basically made them indentured servants during WFH.

Everyone in my circle is fully vaccinated. So I'm not even worried about the virus anymore. But the pandemic is still worse than ever.

The fact that the country and planet are doomed are just icing on the cake.

[Dreampuff]

79. I know the right thing to do here is to be positive and give you hope.

But honestly, I fear many of the same things that were mentioned on this thread. The political division has been insane and I'm sure we have all lost several people in our lives because of it. Covid has also taken its toll on many families and thankfully, up to this point no relatives have been lost to it, although many have had it.
I am fortunate to live where we don't truly get winter and the Sunshine and warmth helps me a lot. Next month we have an election and I live in a red County/ red City and there is a crazy woman running for mayor and if she wins, life will be even worse and there are a lot of signs Supporting her. So even though the crazy president is gone, I have a crazy governor and I might just end up with a crazy mayor who would fit right in with the crazy City commissioners. She is a Ron DeSantis twin.

[CanonRay]

81. Yes. Daily.

Have been since January 6th.

[tiredtoo]

83. Still worrying about

The loss of Democracy in America. Other than that my fears are minimal.

[colsohlibgal]

84. Oh Yes

I keep thinking of a backup plan if things go really south soon. I don’t wish to live in an Autocracy.

Columbus is not all that far from Canada if push comes to shove bad enough.

[SharonAnn]

85. Oh yes! I'll keep fighting but I see people doing things that will destroy our country.

[moonscape]

86. My dread was so out of control that

a few weeks ago I basically stopped watching and reading news. I scan headlines here but that’s about it. My Tivo records the whole MSNBC evening line-up and every night I delete them all, same with the few CNN shows I record, and even DW, BBC and France 24.

I’m doing more outside, exploring new walking places, accomplishing more inside, reading non-political things, and have found relief, and even smatterings of peace. I know it’s fleeting, but grabbing what my old body and brain can.

[DET]

87. Oh, Yeah

I’ve certainly been having feelings of complete dread lately - especially for the last four days. My husband has stage four cancer and he went in for his quarterly blood tests Friday morning. This is a terrifying time under the best of circumstances. We normally get the results almost immediately through his online portal. Nothing until the next morning, when some results finally came in. But not the primary test that will tell us if his cancer is progressing. Nothing on Sunday. We were convinced that we’d hear terrible news during the video consult with his oncologist this afternoon. Turns out that the lab had lost the results. They were later found and posted, and the results are what we’d been hoping for. So we can breathe. I’m both grateful and pissed off at the same time.

Other than that, I share the same fear for our country that most of us do. We live in Northern Virginia, which has a critical upcoming election. Most people here are highly educated, but I’m continually amazed that so many are completely ignorant of current events. I’ve been sounding the alarm for over five years, but most people just shrug. Fascism is right around the corner and nobody seems especially concerned.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent. I’m still optimistic that honor and decency will triumph in the end, but it gets harder by the day to stay positive.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

88. Nope, not at all.

But I'm an incurable optimist by nature, and I don't have a conventional TV so I don't watch very much of that crap. Honestly, the very best thing to do for yourself is find the "off" button on your remote.

[LuckyCharms]

92. As I said upthread...

I hardly watch TV. I get most of my news from DU.

That being said, I have many interests that serve as pretty good distractions. Usually.

[mvd]

93. Kind of

I have been down about the inability to pass both the reconciliation bill and infrastructure bill. I do not like the fact voting rights and abortion rights are in peril. I hate the way the media is portraying President Biden after they normalized a loon in Trump. I am disappointed that Americans remain so changeable in polls. I am afraid of the extreme right wing that is still lurking out there, egged on by TFG and most of the Qpublican Party.

I also feel there could be a major earthquake out west, but maybe that’s just because they have been due.

But I feel better knowing that President Biden, Pelosi, Schumer, Sanders and others are still working hard for progress in this country.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

94. Thanks for your post

Yes been pretty anxious.

Oh how I wish tfg would just stroke out abd croak and all the republicans go to
party on Manchins boat and they all get washed out to sea with a huge rogue wave. And no one rescues them.

Because they won't be missed.

[BannonsLiver]

96. No.

Is that okay? I was told it wasn’t in another thread.

[LuckyCharms]

103. They are feelings.

It's how you feel.

Of course it's "okay".

[Kaleva]

98. No. I sleep easy at night knowing Biden is President.

I don't worry much about things that I have no control over.

[betsuni]

99. No.

I had strong feelings of dread around 2005-6 when I thought Dick Cheney and the neocons would start a war with Iran to complete their Project for the New American Century.

I assume things will go on pretty much the same as now without Democrats having big enough majorities to do anything or Republicans gaining control of Congress and nothing gets done. Media will make sure everyone blames Democrats. Meanwhile, other countries will make the century theirs.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

101. Most of my feelings of dread are caused by Manchin and Sinema

not supporting President Biden's agenda.

[FoxNewsSucks]

131. Yeah, every time I think things might get better,

I remember that those two are standing in the way of the For The People Act. Those two are holding the door open for a near-future permanent republicon fascist rule.

Then I realize that any improvement will just be short-lived, until they undo it.

[milestogo]

102. Only when reading General Discussion posts at DU.

[LuckyCharms]

104. I wouldn't read them then. n/t

[GoneOffShore]

107. Existential dread, free floating anxiety, and grand ennui are part of the pandemic of idiocy

that was unleashed on the world in 2015 when #LOSER45 aka #IMPOTUSx2 made that escalator ride, made even worse by the arrival of SARS-Covid19.

You are not alone.

[DownriverDem]

113. Yes

My fear is that left leaners aren't taking the Midterms of 2022 seriously. Attacking the Dems thinking that will help is politically naive. Get election wins and then push for your issues. Without the votes nothing will move forward. Punishing the Dems because they don't have the votes shows how folks just don't get how it works.

[McKim]

114. Yes, of Course and Here's How I Combat It!

Yes, of course! Everyone I know has these moments or these days. It is a realistic response to our reality. Don't put yourself down for it! It can go away too.

Here's how I cope with winter during COVID: Reach out to others by cooking fabulous desserts and taking them around to friends. Go out to a produce farm stand and bring back fresh flowers and veggies and fruit and take them around to old friends and neighbors. Collect kitchen items from friends and neighbors for an Afghan refugee family. Start taking antidepressants. Put up an outdoor tarp and make an eating area and string it with lights, at a patio heater and now you can have guests over!

Take classes on line at the local university. The Great Courses are now on line and you can stream any of them for a mere $14 a month. We are halfway through a class on The History of India and we watch it every night before bed. Learning new things is good for you and better than watching the Great Battle of the Cultures on TV Cable News.

Scour the internet for local outdoor events that you can attend safely and get out, invite some friends and pack a picnic.

Get a daylight light and sit under it in the early morning to avoid Seasonal Affect Disorder.

I still get a lot of news, but on line only. I believe that the visual images on TV are more impactful and get into your soul doing damage. I daily read these sights: DU, The Guardian, NYTimes, Washington Post, Oregonian, France 24 and Aljazeera. I am well informed but don't let it into my soul. I do one political act every day: Donate to Democrats, Letter to the Editor, Volunteer for a local campaign for city council.

Fighting hopelessness takes ACTION!!! Some days it doesn't work but just keep doing it until it DOES!!! At least you will come out ahead in life for trying. If this list helps just one more person, I will be happy today! Love you All!!!

[GusBob]

116. No, not even a little bit.

It has to do where I live and where I work. I love both. I decided on this lifestyle after TFG got elected. Some folks talked about leaving the country, I sorta did ( I live and work on sovereign land), but headed FOR the country.

I live in the middle of nowhere which reduces the risk of COVID and the eliminates things you miss: there are no concerts, no going out to eat or movies, and all my friends live far away and in the past. I spend alot of time outdoors. Its beautiful and healthy. I pay less and less attention to politics and more attention to nature. Once a week into town for supplies early in the morning, limited exposure to other people. I'm so glad I live the rural life.

Where I work everyone who walks in the door is masked (mandatory) and most are vaxxed. I'm one of few people in the country that can provide the services I do and handle the remote lifestyle. I help alot of people that are in great need. It pays well, country life is cheap, and the outdoors is an inexpensive hobby fer' sure. I am able to pay for our children's higher education which gives me more joy.

Personally, I am experiencing the opposite of dread. From the sound of things, in that I am alone

[piddyprints]

117. Yes.

Sitting here waiting for my Covid booster and terrified of all the maskless people.

On top of the whole mess TFG left and continues to whip up.

And my pension is still being held up because some nitwit declared me dead.

I just want to go home and take a nap.

[Loge23]

118. Are we reaching the fifth stage of grief?

Acceptance.
Acceptance that this virus will never go away and the only viable hope for living with it - massive participation in vaccines - is probably unattainable in this country.
Acceptance that our justice system is irreversibly broken.
Acceptance that at least 30% of our fellow Americans are hopelessly deluded with hatred and lies.
Acceptance that our best efforts at a Blue Wave have been just a little short.
Acceptance that our political system, also broken, is actually a pendulum swinging between the sane and the insane and not a reliable vehicle for governing the country.
Acceptance that our biological world, our planet, is also in a seemingly irreversible decline.

That's the thing with grief isn't it? You have to go through the stages, but what we lost never comes back.

[Cozmo]

119. Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, I feel it all the time

I also realize that there are others out there who share the dread that I feel as well. I'm so very sorry and I commiserate with you. The best thing I can think of to do during these times is just look to brighten the day of a total stranger
by sharing a positive thought or observance with them.
Don't know if it works for them, but it works for me. Peace, love and kindness to you all.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

120. MSNBC is well intentioned, but falling for the same crap.

RFG's mug is ubiquitous now.

[Picaro]

122. Yes

It pervades my life.

[Texin]

123. I'm with you, LuckyCharms.

I too feel a great deal of dread about the future. I'm also feeling inchoate rage about having such a sense of powerlessness that no one can stop all the crap the rethugs are pulling, together with their Q-anon cultists.

[LymphocyteLover]

125. Not dread, but I'm more worried and tired than usual

[brooklynite]

126. Nope, I feel fine...

Had a nice vacation in Italy, helping my MIL move this week, and am focusing on ordinary life. What I’m NOT doing is watching endless hours on cable news (whether it agrees with me or not) and spending all my time thinking of politics.

[reACTIONary]

127. Not at all. nt

[traitorsgalore]

128. Yes, in N.Virginia but go 10 miles south and it's the confederacy

Lots of civil war talk from covidiot/maskhole/fascists. When they talk "civil war" what they're really saying is they'd love to see all liberals die. Needless to say, living close to traitors like that is depressing, confining and exceptionally worrisome.

[DET]

134. So True

Both south and west. Cross into Manassas and it’s an endless stretch of used car lots, check cashing services, gun stores, low rent fast food joints, trashy strip malls, shacks with couches on the porch, jacked up pickup trucks, and rednecks. It’s like a completely different world.

[MyMission]

129. October brings surprises

So there's that dread.
And shorter days, dying leaves, Halloween...
The cold and flu season coming.
Lack of noticeable progress in investigating 45 and his coup attempt
The economy, the supply chain problems

Covid still circulating.
And a 60/40 split in the country means there are a lot of red idiots to deal with, with many believing they won!

Many reasons for dread.

[Glaisne]

130. Yep, me too

I am dreading permanent Republican fascist rule starting January 2025.

[wryter2000]

135. Just about every writer I know has been blocked

I used to joke I didn’t have time for writer’s block. Since March of 2020, it’s been a huge struggle. Every other writer I know has faced the same. Some have bounced back. Others are still struggling. I’m making progress, slowly.

I finally started making calls for the DNC. I have to do something to save our government.

[Nay]

137. You are definitely not alone. I wake up feeling dread in the early morning hours, and

sometimes at periods during the day. And for all the reasons you state. I quit the gym again about a month ago because of the resurgence of Delta. I miss it terribly -- I did water aerobics and it does wonders for my arthritis. There's no replacement for being in that pool. I use my treadmill, but it's nothing like WA.

It's just awful.

I'm beginning to throw myself into craft and sewing projects to keep me sane. I've started withdrawing from most online shit because it makes me more anxious and keeps me sitting too long. I've begun spending more time on my Spanish lessons, too.

[electric_blue68]

140. Moments (and big sadness) off and on...

-pontential medical issue from a condition
-45 & Rethuglicans (cruelty, exasperating racism, sexism etc)
-Roe v Wade, Texas 😤 (my poor women sisters)
-Covid (booster at end of month 👍 99.8% careful masking, distancing, and staying in so much - instead of being out and about in my big (though somewhat less bustling city) make for the Covid blues 😔
-Climate change
-SAD approaching esp when daylight saving time ends


Counter measures
•Living NYC really helps - being a stronger blue/Dem city💖
•Looking at gorgeous Nature photos
•TV & Movies on line (need to buy a new TV)
•FB time w friends, family and non-political interest
groups
•Music
•Drawing, hoping to get back to painting
•Making unique silver plated wire jewelry
•Crocheting, and kniting
•Reading fascinating articles in my many interests
•Remembering my 2 big across the US trips - including the high desert of AZ , The Rocky Mountains; a trip to San
Juan, PR; a 3 week paid for trip to French speaking Switzerland to make art with my Aunt in her studio in her & my Uncle's beautiful house in a wmallish village, and in the middle of my stay she took me and one of her grand kids to Paris for 4 days, 3 nights (a city I wanted to visit for decades)!
•hoping to do more cooking, and try some new things, too

So I have a lot of good stuff, experiences I concentrate on.