Today, I would like to talk about exhaustion. I have a feeling, echoed in what I read in some of your comments to our posts here on Steady and elsewhere, that many of you, many of us, many here in this country and around the world, are exhausted. Now the trevails of life are often exhausting. Illness, sadness, work, or the loss of work, strained relationships, all the stuff you need to do but have put off, these are but a few of the many prompts for exhaustion. And many of you are undoubtedly dealing with at least a few of these, or other ordeals.
Thanks so much for this timely post. I am a Democratic committeewoman and worked hard in 2020, and again in 2021, to get Democrats elected up and down the ticket. My area of Southeastern PA was swept both years by Democrats in a repudiation of Trumpism. But it is a Sisyphean task. The PA Republican legislators - some of whom just voted 2 years ago for the introduction of mail-in voting - petitioned the courts and won a verdict on Friday that says mail-in ballots in PA are unconstitutional. Now we hold our breath waiting for the PA State Supreme Court to make its ruling about the future of mail-in voting. As someone who grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, characterized by an expansion of all sorts of rights, both legal and environmental, this constant threat of retraction of rights is maddening, depressing, and, yes, deeply exhausting. Thanks again for the salve of your post to acknowledge the feeling.
Dan and Elliot, you perfectly described what I believe is the source of my anxiety and depression! I also believe in your solution: relaxation, restoration, and subsequently rejuvenation. We often forget that in order to keep moving forward, we must regularly take a step back and/or remain still to regather our strength.
Oh how i miss Sunday being a day of rest. When shops were closed and the streets quiet. I resent the consumerism that is today. And I struggle to “turn off” I am exhausted.
So very true! Sometimes I forget to give my mind a rest, not to mention my body, always moving l, always thinking about the next thing to be done, rarely realizing there will always be something that has to get done! Thanx for the reminder! GOD bless!
Walking our dog is my way of escaping the daily stress and exhaustion. Everything has become so politicized it's sickening. I find myself searching for ways to stay positive.
Good words to someone such as myself. I am retired, had lung cancer this year, and my wife is ailing. Anyway I am mentally involved in the status of the world. Exhausted for sure but your words have been my R&R. Retirement sucks because I never get a day off! Thank you. I read and understand the post by Ann and wish her well.
It warms my heart when you suggest an approach or belief I'm already practicing. Because you are in the top 100 people I respect, seeing we agree on anything leads me to think I'm going in the right direction.
I would like to thank you for your inspiring example of successful aging, ongoing engagement and constructive contribution. Ever since I first stumbled on Steady, I have looked forward to your posts. It has been uplifting to see so many of my thoughts and feelings so lucidly and eloquently expounded and heartening to be shown a path of action and at least a small hope that things may, eventually and with much work, come around right.
I have been particularly touched by your words on exhaustion both because they recognize and validate the experience so many of us are going through and because you have had the compassion to support people's need to occasionally take a break from endlessly screwing ourselves up to cope with the ongoing awfulness of what is happening all over the world and the unending onslaught of negativity. It is so true that we have to save ourselves if we are going to try to save the world.
So, thank you again for your wonderful example, your powerful words and insights, your encouragement not to lose faith in a better future, and your basic decency , humanity and compassion. You help to keep me hopeful and engaged even while affirming the need for occasional breaks that are crucial to keep going but which I would certainly have felt guilty about taking were it not for your wise words.
You're comment gives great perspective of the exhaustion we live with daily. Life outside of news and politics is our "normal" life and that life has its sads and happys coming and going and that is what gives us the essence of being. Part of my early life was school then college. My parents, religion and schooling taught me values of respect, compassion and what is right and wrong. World and local events were interesting and captivating. There usually was a just outcome to events or most conflicts followed a just direction. But, experiencing what is news and politics today is exhausting. Seeing "wrong" succeed and "right" be maligned is exhausting.
Mr. Rather, I appreciate you're commentary. I really admire you for your journalism and your humanity. Thank you for sharing.
I use the word exhausted often, usually referring to the state of affairs in our country. Thankfully, I feel pretty privileged & blessed otherwise. I’m limiting my time on Twitter (the only social media platform I use). I limit my news time on TV. TV producers seem to prefer reporting only bad news. And I’m no longer sure who decides what’s news & what isn’t. And … so much of what’s reported (?) is more like opinion, regardless of which outlet one is watching. So, I’m doing those things you suggest. Thankfully, I’m a voracious reader…of all kinds of subjects. And, the holidays are upon us. Bring on the Hallmark Channel for some feel good, no thought required TV viewing! Thanks for the sanity check! You’re the best!
One of the many things I have learned as a 30-year recovering alcoholic and survivor of other things is that if you don't put anything in your own tank, you cannot help anyone else. It's not selfish to take some time for yourself and do some of the things you truly love - that's called living, and allows us to live to fight another day. Love you all!
I think despite, or maybe because of, all the technological advances we have today, we are living in one of the most difficult times in our country.
To care=exhaustion
I have loved this country I grew up in but am now disgraced and embarrassed.
I fear for our future. I hope their will be a peaceful rise of people who care and want the same values as many of us; the ones where matters are solved peacefully. There are so many issues at hand that threaten our freedoms.
Thank you, these words are much needed. For the past few election cycles I have thrown myself into the full-time job of helping overseas citizens vote from abroad, and also spent countless hours fundraising, letter writing, phone banking, and supporting get out the vote organisations in the US. I and many of my fellow volunteers are exhausted and some of us have taken days or weeks off, but it is so difficult to pause when there are now no off years in elections, and when antidemocratic actors in the US and around the world seem to have endless energy and resources. What pulls me back into the fray are the young people I work with who know what’s at stake. And inspiring writers who have the long view.
Thanks so much for this timely post. I am a Democratic committeewoman and worked hard in 2020, and again in 2021, to get Democrats elected up and down the ticket. My area of Southeastern PA was swept both years by Democrats in a repudiation of Trumpism. But it is a Sisyphean task. The PA Republican legislators - some of whom just voted 2 years ago for the introduction of mail-in voting - petitioned the courts and won a verdict on Friday that says mail-in ballots in PA are unconstitutional. Now we hold our breath waiting for the PA State Supreme Court to make its ruling about the future of mail-in voting. As someone who grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s, characterized by an expansion of all sorts of rights, both legal and environmental, this constant threat of retraction of rights is maddening, depressing, and, yes, deeply exhausting. Thanks again for the salve of your post to acknowledge the feeling.
I must be exhausted. I finally got around to reading this...
Dan and Elliot, you perfectly described what I believe is the source of my anxiety and depression! I also believe in your solution: relaxation, restoration, and subsequently rejuvenation. We often forget that in order to keep moving forward, we must regularly take a step back and/or remain still to regather our strength.
Oh how i miss Sunday being a day of rest. When shops were closed and the streets quiet. I resent the consumerism that is today. And I struggle to “turn off” I am exhausted.
So very true! Sometimes I forget to give my mind a rest, not to mention my body, always moving l, always thinking about the next thing to be done, rarely realizing there will always be something that has to get done! Thanx for the reminder! GOD bless!
Walking our dog is my way of escaping the daily stress and exhaustion. Everything has become so politicized it's sickening. I find myself searching for ways to stay positive.
Thank you for always being spot-on with your messages.
Good words to someone such as myself. I am retired, had lung cancer this year, and my wife is ailing. Anyway I am mentally involved in the status of the world. Exhausted for sure but your words have been my R&R. Retirement sucks because I never get a day off! Thank you. I read and understand the post by Ann and wish her well.
No one could say it better than Dan Rather. Wishing everyone strength and peace as we strive for a better place. Stay steady !
It warms my heart when you suggest an approach or belief I'm already practicing. Because you are in the top 100 people I respect, seeing we agree on anything leads me to think I'm going in the right direction.
Dear Dan,
I would like to thank you for your inspiring example of successful aging, ongoing engagement and constructive contribution. Ever since I first stumbled on Steady, I have looked forward to your posts. It has been uplifting to see so many of my thoughts and feelings so lucidly and eloquently expounded and heartening to be shown a path of action and at least a small hope that things may, eventually and with much work, come around right.
I have been particularly touched by your words on exhaustion both because they recognize and validate the experience so many of us are going through and because you have had the compassion to support people's need to occasionally take a break from endlessly screwing ourselves up to cope with the ongoing awfulness of what is happening all over the world and the unending onslaught of negativity. It is so true that we have to save ourselves if we are going to try to save the world.
So, thank you again for your wonderful example, your powerful words and insights, your encouragement not to lose faith in a better future, and your basic decency , humanity and compassion. You help to keep me hopeful and engaged even while affirming the need for occasional breaks that are crucial to keep going but which I would certainly have felt guilty about taking were it not for your wise words.
You're comment gives great perspective of the exhaustion we live with daily. Life outside of news and politics is our "normal" life and that life has its sads and happys coming and going and that is what gives us the essence of being. Part of my early life was school then college. My parents, religion and schooling taught me values of respect, compassion and what is right and wrong. World and local events were interesting and captivating. There usually was a just outcome to events or most conflicts followed a just direction. But, experiencing what is news and politics today is exhausting. Seeing "wrong" succeed and "right" be maligned is exhausting.
Mr. Rather, I appreciate you're commentary. I really admire you for your journalism and your humanity. Thank you for sharing.
I use the word exhausted often, usually referring to the state of affairs in our country. Thankfully, I feel pretty privileged & blessed otherwise. I’m limiting my time on Twitter (the only social media platform I use). I limit my news time on TV. TV producers seem to prefer reporting only bad news. And I’m no longer sure who decides what’s news & what isn’t. And … so much of what’s reported (?) is more like opinion, regardless of which outlet one is watching. So, I’m doing those things you suggest. Thankfully, I’m a voracious reader…of all kinds of subjects. And, the holidays are upon us. Bring on the Hallmark Channel for some feel good, no thought required TV viewing! Thanks for the sanity check! You’re the best!
One of the many things I have learned as a 30-year recovering alcoholic and survivor of other things is that if you don't put anything in your own tank, you cannot help anyone else. It's not selfish to take some time for yourself and do some of the things you truly love - that's called living, and allows us to live to fight another day. Love you all!
As always, perfectly written!
I think despite, or maybe because of, all the technological advances we have today, we are living in one of the most difficult times in our country.
To care=exhaustion
I have loved this country I grew up in but am now disgraced and embarrassed.
I fear for our future. I hope their will be a peaceful rise of people who care and want the same values as many of us; the ones where matters are solved peacefully. There are so many issues at hand that threaten our freedoms.
Thank you, these words are much needed. For the past few election cycles I have thrown myself into the full-time job of helping overseas citizens vote from abroad, and also spent countless hours fundraising, letter writing, phone banking, and supporting get out the vote organisations in the US. I and many of my fellow volunteers are exhausted and some of us have taken days or weeks off, but it is so difficult to pause when there are now no off years in elections, and when antidemocratic actors in the US and around the world seem to have endless energy and resources. What pulls me back into the fray are the young people I work with who know what’s at stake. And inspiring writers who have the long view.