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Am I alone in this feeling? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago by ProfThadBach@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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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?

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[-] narr1@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago

I can assure you you aren't alone in this.

It seems in fact that your girlfriend is right there with you, but like it was already said here I feel you need to communicate it to her in a way that she actually understands that you are trying to limit your news intake because of your mental well-being. Maybe advice her for you and her to try to do it together or something? Like that neither of you would read as much (political/economical) news so that she wouldn't even feel the need to try to alleviate her panic by sharing it with you, as I'm assuming that's the reason she's sharing her panic with you. Then maybe try to spread this "ideology" of sorts to your immediate surroundings, if all you hear there as well is just the doom and gloom of late-stage capitalism. Rather talk about good things, like the inherent beauty of ever-present life if all else fails.

Things that have helped me in the past with my personal mental health problems was to not push myself too hard to achieve beyond my current capabilities. If you feel worn down by everyday life too much maybe you can reduce the amount of physical activity at the moment? Don't get me wrong running AND exercising 3 to 5 times a week is amazing, especially for a retired person and something I have never been able to achieve, but I still think it's worth making adjustments as needed. But that's up to you to decide if you feel that's something you want to keep up.

Another thing could be community work. Current situation in the world seems hopeless on a grander scheme, but I have personally found much joy in volunteer community work, in my immediate community. I don't know where you are or what is available to you, but I suggest looking into something like that.

And of course, as you know already, stop doomscrolling. I removed my social media accounts some time ago, but still find myself occasionally mindlessly scrolling the feeds on youtube and lemmy. Which is still just doomscrolling. The short-form video is one of the worst – if not straight-up the worst – drug I have ever tried (and I've tried several) for ease of relapse. Maybe look into private DNS providers and internet content blockers if you haven't already to help you with avoiding the shit that's out there.

I'm guessing there will be many people in the comments who share your predicament and will have other ways of alleviating, here are some of mine. Good luck!

this post was submitted on 13 Jul 2025

145 points (96.2% liked)

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