Life During Wartime
How I deal with unending headlines
I enter this year with mixed feelings. Sure. I want to be more disconnected from the news and social media. Catastrophize less. Build a world for my 4-year-old that feels hopeful and full of possibility.
But, then came the tsunami of headlines.
Never-ending.
When I speak to most left-leaning folks, the sentiment is pretty clear. Everyone wants to stick their heads in the sand for four years.
And brother, I get it.
Last year, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in my dealing or not dealing with that information, I slowly developed "TMJ-like symptoms" and ended up in physical therapy. Couple that with a kid, a real-ass job, the desire to write more novels, see friends. Family. It’s…a lot. I’m feeling the head-in-sand bit.
But, I believe there is another path.
It's something I've been doing a lot lately…
I pretend I'm an alien from another planet.
It's pretty simple, really. I read the news. All of it. But I read it as if I'm on a distant planet, dispassionate, cold, and disconnected.
My head is not in the sand! Nope!
I'm just a Goddamn alien you guys!
This may sound like a comedy bit. But, I'm telling you, viewing all of this from the cosmos allows me to see the grand absurdity!
And most importantly, I’m not stressed out in front of my kid 24-7. (I’m trying my best not to infect him with anxiety.)
Also: I’m not built for this! I’m not Jesus Christ! Or Superman from that Bryan Singer Superman movie.
You know that part where he goes up into space and gets real stressed out because he can hear everyone’s problems?
Wait, you guys don’t remember that part?
Oh, we don't talk about that Superman anymore.
Got it.
Am I a terrible liberal for feeling this way? Shouldn't I be out on the streets? Yelling about stuff on social media?!! Speaking truth to power!
I dunno. Maybe I am terrible! Or maybe I just want to be like the rest of the country. The one's who vote for the people they want and expect those people to do their jobs. Why do I have to lead a resistance? I can’t even sit comfortably in a chair for too long!
And listen, I have my pet issues. The things that make my blood boil in ways unimaginable. And I'll hit the pavement if need be.
Until then?
I live on a cold distant planet.
can you draw more please.
I feel this. Feeling like an alien these past months is apropos. Dr. Manhattan analogy is on point.