You've written my favorite piece. Perfect. Your experience mirrors my own so closely that it weirdly makes me feel better. I've mostly stayed away from reading the news or talking about it for the last week, and this is my toes in the water. Yes, I have family and friends who have good reasons to be afraid of what's to come. I also have family and friends that I no longer talk to because this is what they wanted. It's scary and maddening. This is my tenth year making a daily comic, but last week was the first time I didn't want to do it. My fellow cartoonists have been a source of strength. You are a source of strength. Thank you. I will continue to stumble forward. (And I don't like asking for money directly from readers either, but this is where the industry is at right now and you are worth it.)
I’m with you too! I have my first Substack post scheduled to go out this Wednesday because it felt self-indulgent but also necessary? Self-preservation of some kind? I don’t know. I will not follow the old adage of no politics or religion in mixed company either. Not full throated politics but no more shying away. Too much is at stake in today’s politics. Wishing you as much hope and happiness as we can manage in whatever is to come.
Thank you for the support and for the comment and for subscribing! I will definitely check out your post when you publish. Wishing you hope and happiness as well :-)
Anne, I'm totally with you. Ever since the election, I have been living with anxiety, sometimes low, but mostly fairly high. Today I've been trying everything that used to work: meditation -- I cannot quiet my mind, just cannot; listening to music - yours, my grandkids' performances, old favorites; breathing - only short breaths will come, no long sighs. Nothing is working. My muscles are tight and tired.
I, also, have those friends and family who voted differently. They have been silent around me, but I can tell they are curious about me since the election. I have not shown any hint of what I'm feeling. You are very brave to do so. (And thank you for this chance to speak my mind!)
No, you're not fanciful at all. The whole world will change in the next few years. The only question is how fast will it change? How many countries will no longer exist? How much of our lives will change? Will anyone who voted for this ever realize they caused it, or will the bad guys convince them to blame someone else? Is there any hope that we will be pleasantly surprised?
Say what you are feeling when you post. It's probably what I'm feeling, too.
Becky, I feel I made a big mistake in 2015. I wasted the time between the election results and the inauguration. Every one of those days was a day that he was not yet actually in charge of anything and I spent too much time worrying about what he might do and not enough time enjoying the fact that, at that time, he couldn't yet do anything. It's one of the mistakes I hope not to repeat. If it helps you, please consider this mantra "He is not yet in charge. He is not yet in charge." It won't change whatever future we are facing but it can take the sting out of the present. I am also doing my best to tune out the news, turn off all unnecessary notifications and bury myself in the analog life I used to live before so much connectivity. My house is now much cleaner than it was two weeks ago. I also find that soothing music is not helpful to me at times like this - I need up tempo tunes. Back in April of 2020 I did a post about how music can help and posted some upbeat videos. The link is here: https://overbookedandunderpaid.typepad.com/overbooked-and-underpaid/2020/04/behind-the-scenes-with-anne-god-inspiring-music-for-tough-times.html. Finally, I'm trying to find every silver lining I can and be strong for the family members who are having an even harder time than I am.
I will send you a tip next month - I have spent my donation budget already on the ACLU Planned Parenthood and a couple of animal charities. Please keep on keeping on, as a lot of us are trying to do.
You've written my favorite piece. Perfect. Your experience mirrors my own so closely that it weirdly makes me feel better. I've mostly stayed away from reading the news or talking about it for the last week, and this is my toes in the water. Yes, I have family and friends who have good reasons to be afraid of what's to come. I also have family and friends that I no longer talk to because this is what they wanted. It's scary and maddening. This is my tenth year making a daily comic, but last week was the first time I didn't want to do it. My fellow cartoonists have been a source of strength. You are a source of strength. Thank you. I will continue to stumble forward. (And I don't like asking for money directly from readers either, but this is where the industry is at right now and you are worth it.)
Stephen, Thank you. And I've been meaning to thank you for putting me on your recommendations on your own substack. It really means a lot!
I’m with you too! I have my first Substack post scheduled to go out this Wednesday because it felt self-indulgent but also necessary? Self-preservation of some kind? I don’t know. I will not follow the old adage of no politics or religion in mixed company either. Not full throated politics but no more shying away. Too much is at stake in today’s politics. Wishing you as much hope and happiness as we can manage in whatever is to come.
Thank you for the support and for the comment and for subscribing! I will definitely check out your post when you publish. Wishing you hope and happiness as well :-)
Anne - thank you and blessings for your work. Guess I'll stick around and see what happens next.
Peter, Thank you for sticking around! And for the support and kind words!
I’m right there with you. Keep up the hard work!
Kurt, Thank you! It helps a lot to know I'm not alone!
Anne, I'm totally with you. Ever since the election, I have been living with anxiety, sometimes low, but mostly fairly high. Today I've been trying everything that used to work: meditation -- I cannot quiet my mind, just cannot; listening to music - yours, my grandkids' performances, old favorites; breathing - only short breaths will come, no long sighs. Nothing is working. My muscles are tight and tired.
I, also, have those friends and family who voted differently. They have been silent around me, but I can tell they are curious about me since the election. I have not shown any hint of what I'm feeling. You are very brave to do so. (And thank you for this chance to speak my mind!)
No, you're not fanciful at all. The whole world will change in the next few years. The only question is how fast will it change? How many countries will no longer exist? How much of our lives will change? Will anyone who voted for this ever realize they caused it, or will the bad guys convince them to blame someone else? Is there any hope that we will be pleasantly surprised?
Say what you are feeling when you post. It's probably what I'm feeling, too.
Becky, I feel I made a big mistake in 2015. I wasted the time between the election results and the inauguration. Every one of those days was a day that he was not yet actually in charge of anything and I spent too much time worrying about what he might do and not enough time enjoying the fact that, at that time, he couldn't yet do anything. It's one of the mistakes I hope not to repeat. If it helps you, please consider this mantra "He is not yet in charge. He is not yet in charge." It won't change whatever future we are facing but it can take the sting out of the present. I am also doing my best to tune out the news, turn off all unnecessary notifications and bury myself in the analog life I used to live before so much connectivity. My house is now much cleaner than it was two weeks ago. I also find that soothing music is not helpful to me at times like this - I need up tempo tunes. Back in April of 2020 I did a post about how music can help and posted some upbeat videos. The link is here: https://overbookedandunderpaid.typepad.com/overbooked-and-underpaid/2020/04/behind-the-scenes-with-anne-god-inspiring-music-for-tough-times.html. Finally, I'm trying to find every silver lining I can and be strong for the family members who are having an even harder time than I am.
I will send you a tip next month - I have spent my donation budget already on the ACLU Planned Parenthood and a couple of animal charities. Please keep on keeping on, as a lot of us are trying to do.
Mary, Thank you so much for the support. It means a lot!