Who else feels upside down right not?

[Anonymous]

Not super depressed and not normal, but like loopy and out of sorts and forgetting things, and then sometimes horrified by stuff that is happening, and then other times oddly calm and relaxed even though it seems like I shouldn't be.

For me it's definitely at least half driven by things going on in my own life. An elderly family member recently died, and I've been shocked at how heavy my grief is (this was not a parent or sibling) given their age and the fact that they went peacefully and I had a chance to say goodbye. Like I just haven't had a normal day since then. There's also weird/annoying drama going on at my kids' elementary school. It doesn't concern me directly but I get regular emails about it and when I interact with other parents, it's all anyone talks about. I find it stressful and stupid at the same time and wish it would just go away.

Then, you know, the fact that the country is now at war but it feels like it's happening in a parallel universe or something because no one talks about it except to say "yeah, it's crazy" or "I don't really understand what's going on," but then I'll check the news in the morning and it will be about Americans dying or a girls' school being bombed or the violence spreading to yet another country and people struggling to get out before the airports close. It is very surreal.

Also the other stuff, the other Trump stuff. You know what I'm talking about it.

Anyone else? Any ideas for how stay more grounded these days? I'm constantly distracted, not sleeping well, and struggling to stay on my usual schedule. Just feeling out of sorts.

[Anonymous]

Me! Work is crazy, the world is crazy..and yet my feeling upside down has to do with kid stuff. DD joined a dance team as a fill in for someone who was injured- and now she’s injured herself, skiing accident. I texted the instructor yesterday and haven’t heard back so I know she’s pissed, (since now she has to decide what to do about a routine). I feel so guilty since I think people will be blaming me for this…ugh.

[Anonymous]

Get off social media and consume less news for a bit. I’m serious. It’s what I had to do to get away from everything because it felt too heavy for a bit. Nothing is better now than it was a few weeks ago (in fact I’d say it’s worse!), but I’m not getting fed it all the time.

Also, watch your news sources. I was unconsciously in an echo chamber and it made it way worse. I find now I can read about what’s going on without any comment or bias and it helps. Still depressing, still scary, still sad, but less so on all fronts.

I’m sorry about your family member. Maybe try some sessions with a therapist? You could be projecting concern about losing your parents or other family members after that one death, which is a normal reaction.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been feeling this way since October 7, 2023.

[Anonymous]

I'm suddenly feeling very mortal. I'm 55 and DH is older and on the verge of retirement, and some friends have had serious life-changing health issues, and now I just can't stop thinking about how we have limited time left.

It's making me feel weird all the time. Combine that with fatigue over what is going on in the world and being in a bit of a work transition myself, and yeah -- I'm feeling not super stable/normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get off social media and consume less news for a bit. I’m serious. It’s what I had to do to get away from everything because it felt too heavy for a bit. Nothing is better now than it was a few weeks ago (in fact I’d say it’s worse!), but I’m not getting fed it all the time.

Also, watch your news sources. I was unconsciously in an echo chamber and it made it way worse. I find now I can read about what’s going on without any comment or bias and it helps. Still depressing, still scary, still sad, but less so on all fronts.

I’m sorry about your family member. Maybe try some sessions with a therapist? You could be projecting concern about losing your parents or other family members after that one death, which is a normal reaction.

Flood the zone so people tune out. Going according to plan.

[Anonymous]

OP here.

I think what is happening for me is that for about the last decade, each subsequent year has carried new stressors that I have acclimate to. And I have. Things have been tough in many ways but I've adjusted and figured it out, because I have to.

But I think I might have peaked and can no longer absorb more stress. I do the stuff I'm supposed to do -- I exercise, I get outside, I focus on quality time with family and friends. I read books for pleasure and funny movies. I let things go when I can. I practice mindfulness. I drink water. I take care of my health.

But it's like... not enough. I am at max capacity. I can't do anymore but the hits keep coming.

[Anonymous]

Mercury is in retrograde and it was a full moon. I have some people going full on crazy.

[Anonymous]

Me too, OP. I'm raising children and mindful of my parents, and with-he-who-shall-not-be-named, we've lost all the joy in this country...

[Anonymous]

Yes. I have cut off all news and newsy social media but still the insanity, incompetence and meanness seeps through. It is depressing as hell.

[Anonymous]

Yes, me. Spouse laid lff 6 months ago. Has had a bunch of interviews but never picked in the end. Severance ended and now we have unemployment. We are barely squeaking by and are cutting into savings
The longer this drags on, we may have to consider selling our house. We have two kids, both happy in their schools and do not want to move and uproot their lives.

And then add to this Trump and his BS. I am especially angry about his tariffs as it is impacting hiring and makes the job market incredibly difficult right now. Companies do not want to fill positions when they cannot predict what will happen next. I hate how he is destroying our country and our economy.

[Anonymous]

Sigh. Same here.y work related to all the drama in the world bc it’s kind of a political comms role, so it’s constant. U feel both super turned in and also like the world is playing on tv and I have it on mute, or very low volume. I realize it’s privilege that I can feel this way. I also have a sibling who’s been going through a dual mental health and health crisis. We don’t have our parents anymore, so now I feel respo him even though he’s older.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for all the typos!

[Anonymous]

OP I feel like this.
The dissonance between an actual war and having to focus on minutiae at work and whatnot.

It can be hard to feel connected to certain conversations. Have felt like this so much since the election.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mercury is in retrograde and it was a full moon. I have some people going full on crazy.

This is what my admin told me!

I, too, have had some employees acting flat out BONKERS since the end of last week.

I walked out to my admins desk this afternoon, and was like on earth is going on? She said with a straight face “mercury is in retrograde”

I don’t believe in any of this, but the level of crazy is off the charts. If things continue like this I may have to reevaluate my feelings about astrology!