Compiled from a thread on Bluesky from liberallibrarian.bsky.social:

As a historian and queer lefty who normally isn't very optimistic about the American people, I've actually got a lot more positive outlook on the fascist resurgence being defeated decisively at the end of four years. Like, actual real hope. But it'd take too long to explain. So, instead...

As a diagnosed PTSD and GAD sufferer, I'd suggest learning some grounding techniques like the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It makes it easier to process and enjoy nice things, whereas going straight to look for the nice stuff online can make you feel worse when it doesn't fix the panic.

There's things you can control and things you can't. I recommend you make any necessary plans and prep that you can manage, then try to relax and conserve energy for later. Make some short term and long term plans for fun things to do, to learn, to accomplish over the next four years. Look for hope.

This isn't facile, feel good, toxic positivity stuff. This is how to survive and thrive.

As much as possible, relax yourself and rest up. Don't bury your head in the sand, but don't doomscroll. Learn to glance for warning signs of danger, sure, but try to avoid falling into constant hypervigilance.
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You can change things. But you need energy for that. Wait for opportunities to stand up and make a difference. Look for efficient ways to do it.

Don't just constantly obsess and wear yourself out and tell yourself that you're helping the cause by doomscrolling, because you're just hurting yourself.

Athletes don't win by destroying their bodies overexercising in training. That just ensures that they won't be healthy enough to compete at all.

Same thing here. You won't get better doing that to your brain. So try to relax, do some deep breathing, read some books, have some fun. Recharge.

Finally, there's a time and place for gallows humor and for processing trauma. You can make jokes, and you should absolutely work out feelings of hopelessness and despair.

But as hard as it is, try to do it without sending others into a fear spiral. Don't lie or spin it, but don't make it worse.
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Oh, also, it's not just chuds and fascists who want you to spiral. It's also the resister grifters and others who profit from keeping you scared and then offering fake help. So try not to listen to them, either.

And don't eat too much pudding. It can make you feel a little sick on your stomach.

‪Liberal Librarian, Emotional Support Cuban‬ ‪@liberallibrarian.bsky.social‬