Hi, all, and happy Tuesday. I’m listening to Simon Rosenberg as I write, so pardon any typos in advance. Yesterday evening one of my activist friends sent me a text saying “Rachel Maddow is terrifying tonight!! 😥😥” I’d been relaxing after an end-of-day walk. Reading the text I felt my blood pressure surge. I didn’t immediately respond—I was trying to wind down!
I loved this, Jessica! And I too don't watch cable news, twitter, or doom scroll. You embody my philosophy of "don't whine/do something!" and make it easy to do it. Thank you so much for all you do, and for helping me to stay strong.
Jessica, you have done it again! You are such a kindred spirit. Turn off and tune out hatred and fear. I find writing in my gratitude journal and hiking helpful. My information sources are footnoted and on Substack. Together, working for justice and those who promote democracy will succeed. Sometime it just takes a little longer than we’d like. Don’t despair. You are not alone
I don’t watch cable news as much as I used to and when I do, I try not to be fearful. Doing something like calling my reps or writing postcards helps combat the fear and helplessness you can get from news. Reading your Substack and listening to Simon Rosenberg always makes me feel more hopeful and positive about what we can do collectively.
Thanks, Jessica, for your words of wisdom about turning off media when it affects your mood and mental health. I feel exactly the same way about listening to the doom on the news and no one offering a solution. There has to be an upside or we’ll all be so downcast we’ll get nothing done.
I am in activist groups because I believe in action and I subscribe to your Substack for the same reason. It always helps that voice in my head that says, we need to do something!
My goodness, thank you for sharing all of that. I really needed to hear it. You are absolutely correct. Thank you so much for always putting out the positive energy and information.
This is why I was so happy to find your TikTok (which then lead me to your Substack)! Your insight and constructive examples of ways to demand change (and push the envelope) are so helpful and appreciated. You're doing invaluable work, thank you for guiding us by the hand and helping us all fight for change.
Copy the following, make the print size larger but so it still fits on an 8-1/2x11 sheet of paper, and print it out. Make 2 or 3 copies. Then tape them up on your kitchen cabinet above where you prep food, on your bathroom mirror, and above your desk. Read them every day, in fact several times each day. Set an alarm on your phone for 3 times a day with the note "Read the Quote from Jessica!" And then pay attention to it and do as she does. The reason she is able to bring us all these tasks to do and all this good news every Sunday is because she follows her own advice. And we need to follow it as well. What is it? Here you go!!
THIS is why I don’t watch cable news. It’s why I’m off twitter. It’s why I avoid “doom scrolling” at all costs. It’s why, in fact, I have a zero tolerance policy towards media of any kind that makes me feel despair.
May 9, 2023·edited May 9, 2023Liked by Jessica Craven
I, for one, Jessica, am grateful for the tools you share with us so that we can keep our democracy afloat. I sometimes feel a little guilty that you are doing all the hard work while I get to reap the benefits.
“And so undaunted by difficulties let us push right on—instinctively—knowing that the only difference between the possible and the impossible is that the impossible takes a little longer.”—Mrs. William Tilton, legislative chairman of the National Congress of Mothers.
Love the opening photo w/ snarky message. He looks like Drew Carey!
Forgive me if this isn’t the best place to leave you a message, but I do hope you’ll take the time to read this incredible article by noted scholar Ruth Ben-Ghiat, about the actual (high) cost of gun violence. The stats are sobering.
Yes, yes and yes!! Could not agree more. As someone who seems to be the backstop for every doomer, I say this: when we tell you the good news, when we remind me you there’s so much we can do, we’re not naive. We see what’s happening, but we also see the enormous accomplishments and strides we have made in the last six years in the face of tremendous corruption and obstacles. We also are making a commitment to a better future today. It’s a commitment I have to make daily - sometimes hourly, sometimes by the minute. It’s not easy so please do not bring me your dooming. Tell me what you’re going to do about it. Being a doomer is the easiest thing in the world; committing to doing the work takes grit, resilience and a bare minimum of optimism.
I am also off cable news and twitter for the same reasons but finding myself losing hope occasionally regardless. Things are getting really bad it seems.
Don’t forget to self care too to ease this stress. Art and spirituality can bring centering, comfort and clarity - all sorely needed in this craziness we face.
Please check out my free blog - Joseph Campbell’s work in comparative mythology can an uplifting and unifying boost, especially in the face of this senseless moral vacuum. Cheers
I loved this, Jessica! And I too don't watch cable news, twitter, or doom scroll. You embody my philosophy of "don't whine/do something!" and make it easy to do it. Thank you so much for all you do, and for helping me to stay strong.
Jessica, you have done it again! You are such a kindred spirit. Turn off and tune out hatred and fear. I find writing in my gratitude journal and hiking helpful. My information sources are footnoted and on Substack. Together, working for justice and those who promote democracy will succeed. Sometime it just takes a little longer than we’d like. Don’t despair. You are not alone
I don’t watch cable news as much as I used to and when I do, I try not to be fearful. Doing something like calling my reps or writing postcards helps combat the fear and helplessness you can get from news. Reading your Substack and listening to Simon Rosenberg always makes me feel more hopeful and positive about what we can do collectively.
Thanks, Jessica, for your words of wisdom about turning off media when it affects your mood and mental health. I feel exactly the same way about listening to the doom on the news and no one offering a solution. There has to be an upside or we’ll all be so downcast we’ll get nothing done.
I am in activist groups because I believe in action and I subscribe to your Substack for the same reason. It always helps that voice in my head that says, we need to do something!
My goodness, thank you for sharing all of that. I really needed to hear it. You are absolutely correct. Thank you so much for always putting out the positive energy and information.
Appreciate you in so many ways, Jess!
This is why I was so happy to find your TikTok (which then lead me to your Substack)! Your insight and constructive examples of ways to demand change (and push the envelope) are so helpful and appreciated. You're doing invaluable work, thank you for guiding us by the hand and helping us all fight for change.
Copy the following, make the print size larger but so it still fits on an 8-1/2x11 sheet of paper, and print it out. Make 2 or 3 copies. Then tape them up on your kitchen cabinet above where you prep food, on your bathroom mirror, and above your desk. Read them every day, in fact several times each day. Set an alarm on your phone for 3 times a day with the note "Read the Quote from Jessica!" And then pay attention to it and do as she does. The reason she is able to bring us all these tasks to do and all this good news every Sunday is because she follows her own advice. And we need to follow it as well. What is it? Here you go!!
THIS is why I don’t watch cable news. It’s why I’m off twitter. It’s why I avoid “doom scrolling” at all costs. It’s why, in fact, I have a zero tolerance policy towards media of any kind that makes me feel despair.
Thank you!!
I, for one, Jessica, am grateful for the tools you share with us so that we can keep our democracy afloat. I sometimes feel a little guilty that you are doing all the hard work while I get to reap the benefits.
“And so undaunted by difficulties let us push right on—instinctively—knowing that the only difference between the possible and the impossible is that the impossible takes a little longer.”—Mrs. William Tilton, legislative chairman of the National Congress of Mothers.
Love the opening photo w/ snarky message. He looks like Drew Carey!
Forgive me if this isn’t the best place to leave you a message, but I do hope you’ll take the time to read this incredible article by noted scholar Ruth Ben-Ghiat, about the actual (high) cost of gun violence. The stats are sobering.
https://lucid.substack.com/p/we-need-to-talk-about-gun-violences?
Yes, yes and yes!! Could not agree more. As someone who seems to be the backstop for every doomer, I say this: when we tell you the good news, when we remind me you there’s so much we can do, we’re not naive. We see what’s happening, but we also see the enormous accomplishments and strides we have made in the last six years in the face of tremendous corruption and obstacles. We also are making a commitment to a better future today. It’s a commitment I have to make daily - sometimes hourly, sometimes by the minute. It’s not easy so please do not bring me your dooming. Tell me what you’re going to do about it. Being a doomer is the easiest thing in the world; committing to doing the work takes grit, resilience and a bare minimum of optimism.
Ok I will know step off my soapbox. 😉
Love love love this. Thank you.
I am also off cable news and twitter for the same reasons but finding myself losing hope occasionally regardless. Things are getting really bad it seems.
Don’t forget to self care too to ease this stress. Art and spirituality can bring centering, comfort and clarity - all sorely needed in this craziness we face.
Please check out my free blog - Joseph Campbell’s work in comparative mythology can an uplifting and unifying boost, especially in the face of this senseless moral vacuum. Cheers
https://radmod.substack.com/p/thus-answered-joseph-campbell?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2