Yes, Everything is Terrible But I’m Still Trying to Write

I’m not going to sit here and rehash all the present horror. You either think current events are a complete nightmare, or you don’t.

This post isn’t about THAT. And when I say THAT, I mean the ever-growing divide of reality itself. It’s impossible to miss and presently everywhere. So, if you’re looking for more of THAT, just scroll on. You’re sure to fall right back into it.

I’m presently trying, desperately, to find a few hours to remove myself from it. Not because I don’t care…but because I care so much my entire brain gets hijacked. Sometimes for hours, I’ve even lost whole days, to the worry, the doom, the horror. The newsarticles, the posts…the comments, these days they shroud every aspect of life at times.

I want to be aware. I want to be a responsible citizen. I want to know what is happening in this country and the world.

I also want to work. Create. Love and be loved. I want, desperately, to be present in this life as much as possible before it’s over.

I don’t want to put my head in the sand, yet every time I pull it out, there is rage, chaos, and destruction on every horizon. And while I know there is true horror, real-time reporting on unspeakable atrocities, cruelty, and the disintegration of life as we once knew it. I also know that some of it is the fear-and-rage bait specifically designed to keep us in perpetual fear and rage. Utterly overwhelmed.

We are so much easier to manipulate and control when we are disconnected and dysregulated.

So, where and how to draw the line? How does anyone stay informed, responsible, engaged in our world and all that is happening while also staying sane enough to show up to work? Take care of your kids? Love who and what you are capable of loving in this day and age?

I’m open to your suggestions. Is anything working for you? Particularly if you’re a fiction writer or a creative in another space. What strategies do you have to keep your creative spark and energy alive right now when it’s so easy for it to feel meaningless under the glare of our real world catostrophes?

Because the only thing I have right now is a set of personal rules.

Until my writing for the day has been accomplished:

No phone except to turn on the house lights, control the thermostat, or take more poorly lit and highly unflattering photos of myself, the pets, or myself with the pets. (See photo fig 1 above)
And don’t even think about opening any social media platform on your computer. Not even to “just check” something that is tangentially related to your job as a writer. You will get sucked into that vortex and lose both hours and that precious, small amount of dopamine you managed to wake up with this morning.
Please, for the love of God, Rebecca, just sit down, open your manuscript, and write already. You’ve done it before, you can do it again. Just. Write.
Have you actually read and comprehended rule #3? Try again.
Great! You wrote 212 words. Yes, it does feel good to focus and get some work done…what? No, you cannot have your phone now or open any social media platform on your computer. 212 words is a nice start, but we both know you can do more. Get. Back. To. Work.
1027 words? Amazing! So proud of you. Are you sure you’re done for the day? Like, really? Done-done? Yes? Okay, here’s your phone…are you sure you want to look? Make sure you really want to know. Yes? Fine, but remember:
Set a timer for 30 minutes.
Read only the news from that reliable news source that you subscribe to that actually employs real journalists.
Absolutely no comments. Do not even peek at them.
That timer went off…I know you heard it. Put your phone down right now.
Now grab your tennis shoes, leash up the dogs, and go for a walk outside.
No, you cannot scroll social media on the couch while eating a frozen pizza. Watch Netflix. Better yet, read one of those 4251 unread books on your shelf.
It’s getting late. Go to bed. Um, excuse me? I see that phone in your hand. Absolutely not.