Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Tuesday Slice: My head in the sand

Aside from posting my blogs, changing my Halloween Facebook cover photo and profile picture, and Tweeting out my library happenings, I have been staying away from social media and the news as much as possible since Saturday afternoon.

I have done my civic duty by voting.  My family and friends have done the same.  My daughter FedExed her ballot from Japan; my son drove home from college to cast his vote early.

I participated in this democratic process, but I will not play the waiting game. This year has been enough of a stressor to willfully put myself in a heightened state of anxiety, and to what end?  Watching and scrolling will not change the outcome.  There is sleep to be had, and students to be served, and laundry to be done.  That cobweb in the corner of the window must be taken care of.  

I wish I was full of hope, like I was four years ago.  But so many people have accepted the plethora of lies and misinformation as truths from the current occupant of the White House that I am disheartened.  And social media has been the weapon of choice for those who would like to see us divided, who count on our greed and need for instant gratification that keeps us from investigating sources of information, reading past the headlines and first paragraphs, thinking before sharing.  It's the modern day version of "loose lips sink ships"; instead of divulging secrets, it's the spreading of misinformation that our enemies are using to attack our country.  

So I am staying away from consuming social media and the news this week.  The drama will be played out by those with much bigger roles.  I'll wait until the dust settles a bit; then, like a teenager watching a horror movie, I'll peek from between my fingers to see if it's safe to engage again.

16 comments:

  1. I get it- I have been ostriching a bit too. I do not know if it is easier or harder to be so far away at a time like this. It is almost like I cannot imagine a world that does not right itself...

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    1. My daughter in Japan is feeling the anxiety across the ocean, too. Hoping she can avoid the news for a day or two!

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  2. I wish I had stuck my head in the sand as I am on edge. Today I plan on pulling out a puzzle so I can have a distraction available. We all need to learn how to best move forward, and I too hope moving on means a new start!

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    1. I hope so, too...but this week is dragging on, isn't it? I had to mute the TV last night and head to the other end of the house!

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  3. Laundry is part of my diversionary plan, too. I’m off Facebook and Twitter today. I’m thinking about a long hiatus from FB and will decide after the election results. I’m reading today and raking leaves. Love the metaphor of a teenager peeking from under the covers during a horror movie. That’s what we’ve been doing the past four years. Today we decide our fate in this slasher reality movie. Like you, I’m afraid to have hope after 2016.

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    1. I've been peeking at static live election results, avoiding any video or talking heads. It's easy enough to close out the window on the screen and go back to daily living. So much drama!

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  4. I agree! I have a new fiction book to start and a couple of garden books to finish reading. One that involves learning Latin. Oh boy I am really nuts but anything to stay away from the craziness of our world right now!

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    1. Those sound like noble pursuits, Joanne. Latin should definitely garnish your attention! We'll just all keep taking deep breaths together.

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  5. Love that your kids — and you! — made sure they casted their ballots. Fabulous!

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    1. I was so proud of my kids too, Stacey! Let's hope their efforts are worthwhile....

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  6. I totally agree! You expressed so much of what I feel in this slice. I already told my husband not to mention any election coverage or news to me. I'm going to be peeking through my fingers along with you, but I'm determined to keep my head in the sand for as long as I can.

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    1. We already have so much to be anxious about, and the news is definitely not helping. My husband had a special report playing on TV last night, and what little I heard riled me up (a poll on how people are feeling, without mention of the details of the polled group, which always makes me suspect of results). I muted the TV and headed to the other end of the house!

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  7. A friend of mine and her husband went to the coast for two days. I am limiting how much time I watch the coverage. Still hoping!

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    1. That sounds dreamy, Ramona; I could use some salty air myself right now! Yes, limiting news seems to be the key.

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  8. No judgment here, Chris... it’s a spectacle. I did my duty as well, honoring my citizenship. Yeah, now to rid ourselves of those cobwebs... literal and figurative...

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    1. Fran, I fear that the amount and type of coverage is only serving to rile up those who are already on extreme edges. I'm taking Monday off, if only to vacuum out the window corners!

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