Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Coronavirus
Twoapenny:
That's interesting, Hops, I've found that looking at the big picture makes me feel more anxious, whereas keeping an eye on my personal risk level (by seeing how many infected people are in the area) makes me feel better - although interestingly it hasn't changed my habits in terms of going out, it's still just once a week to the cinema. I think I've become very tuned in to what increases my anxiety and what doesn't at the moment, and I think maybe it's changed from normal for me? I did see that one of the hospitals is full and has no more capacity just now. It's odd that what I'm watching happen everywhere at the minute is all stuff that's affected us personally for years. Reporting, for example, is quite reckless, I feel. The headline about that hospital being full is very alarming. If it had said 'overflow hospital opening up to cope with demand' it's still clear that demand is increasing but it doesn't elicit the same panic because it focuses on what's being done about it. I've had that a lot with my son over the years - "we can't meet his needs" rather than "we can't meet his needs right now, but here's what we'll do about it long term and here's how we'll support both of you in the meantime". I've noticed in myself that the first induces panic and makes me feel very alone whilst the second makes me feel calmer and supported. It's just interesting to me to see that happening on a much bigger scale here at the moment (and I do think I've detached myself from it a lot - self preservation I guess). It's interesting to see how different people cope in different ways. One friend is like me; minimal risks daily, not going out, no visitors, whilst her husband is a news junky and wants the reports on constantly (they've had to compromise; he has the news on his phone, not the TV, and he has to ring his geeky science friend to talk about it, not talk to her lol). She calls me and we do the mum stuff of what the kids have been doing and what our most recent baking attempts have been like (hers are usually good, mine aren't). That feels normal for both of us.
Nationally I've no idea what's going on and neither does anyone else, by the sound of it. They've got different lockdowns in different areas for different reasons, different levels of support for different groups of people, different scientists saying different things, everyone's got a different idea of how this should all be managed. I've gone full on mad bird feeding lady and the tree outside our house is full of birds morning and evening now, with a line of cats sitting on the wall just waiting patiently lol. Our cat ignores all of it and just stays inside sleeping.
Hopalong:
It makes total sense to me Tupp that different focuses work best for different individuals. There's no "better" way to think about all this. Like you, I've just figured out what works best for my own mind.
BTW, I absolutely lovelovelove your comment about media.
--- Quote ---The headline ... is very alarming. If it had said 'overflow hospital opening up to cope with demand' it's still clear that demand is increasing but it doesn't elicit the same panic because it focuses on what's being done about it. I've had that a lot with my son..."we can't meet his needs" rather than "we can't meet his needs right now, but here's what we'll do about it long term and here's how we'll support both of you in the meantime".... the first induces panic and makes me feel very alone whilst the second makes me feel calmer and supported.
--- End quote ---
Even in the most mature and reliable media, I find myself writing letters expressing how frustrating it is to read casual click-bait headlines when the media could be doing SO MUCH to improve civic life.
When you tune into words and their meanings AND implications as we do, it's maddening. The Fourth Estate is so incredibly important to society rebuilding. Some of them do seem to know and try to reflect this responsibility. And I credit the best media with positive power, for sure. Good journalists are heroes to me.
hugs
Hops
Twoapenny:
--- Quote from: Hopalong on October 17, 2020, 12:55:48 PM ---It makes total sense to me Tupp that different focuses work best for different individuals. There's no "better" way to think about all this. Like you, I've just figured out what works best for my own mind.
BTW, I absolutely lovelovelove your comment about media.
--- Quote ---The headline ... is very alarming. If it had said 'overflow hospital opening up to cope with demand' it's still clear that demand is increasing but it doesn't elicit the same panic because it focuses on what's being done about it. I've had that a lot with my son..."we can't meet his needs" rather than "we can't meet his needs right now, but here's what we'll do about it long term and here's how we'll support both of you in the meantime".... the first induces panic and makes me feel very alone whilst the second makes me feel calmer and supported.
--- End quote ---
Even in the most mature and reliable media, I find myself writing letters expressing how frustrating it is to read casual click-bait headlines when the media could be doing SO MUCH to improve civic life.
When you tune into words and their meanings AND implications as we do, it's maddening. The Fourth Estate is so incredibly important to society rebuilding. Some of them do seem to know and try to reflect this responsibility. And I credit the best media with positive power, for sure. Good journalists are heroes to me.
hugs
Hops
--- End quote ---
Yes, nodding, nodding and nodding some more! Imagine the difference if reporting, in general, was fact based, with clear, contextualised opinion from people who genuinely know what they're talking about, with a good smattering of positive stories as well. Not Pollyanna, endlessly smiling stories but just reports on all the community groups that have sprung up to help people out and other good things that do happen, but that tend to be dwarfed by all the sensational stuff that happens. It's hard going, the media has such an influence, imagine if it were a more positive one! It would be so helpful.
And yes, I think everyone's found their way to get through this as best they can. Most people I'm speaking to just day to day are in 'let's get on with it' mode. They're taking whatever precautions they can or have to, they're all fed up with the Government and their lack of reliability and I think most people feel they just need to get through this as best they can now. Our numbers jumped again yesterday, and over a wider area. Still not right by our door but my little bubble burst quickly when I saw that. The only reassurance for me was that it shows they are still testing - I did have a moment of wondering if the numbers were dropping because they just weren't testing people anymore :) I did realise I need to structure my day better and I've struggled to work out how best to do that. Eventually I sat down and went through the TV and Radio guides and I've now got a list of shows that son and I both like to watch or listen to (together or apart, depending on what they are). I'm going to use that as a way of creating little breaks during the day and aiming to get certain things done before a certain programme starts. I just feel I need a little bit of an incentive or deadline to focus my mind a bit.
I went for a walk as soon as I got up; the river is high! I've never seen it that high before. Another couple of feet and it will be over the wall and into town. We're up hill from it so we'll be okay but I'm hoping that doesn't get any higher now as they've already had one flood this year. Beautiful to look at, though. Friendly dog ran over and wanted his belly rubbed. They do make me laugh the way they just launch themselves at anyone that looks like they might stroke them.
Hopalong:
I like that idea, of responding to the ongoing outside situation with a tweak in how much structure works well for you during the day.
I'm trying a bit more too, in my spazzy fashion. I have gotten sleep into a better pattern thanks to: SAD light (funny, at first I wrote ADD light, still caffeinating!) every morning including sunny ones, ashwagandha 2x/day, more active now that knee is 90% good to go....feels better. Tidying up patio and excited about fire pit.
Hope your river doesn't harm anyone as it rises, but how lovely to live near rushing water. I do too, a small bend in a small river is 5 minutes from my door, but I haven't gone down to it since I hurt myself. The path's a bit steep for a tricky knee.
Is your river good-sized? Big enough for bridges over it? Any barges in sight?
hugs
Hops
Twoapenny:
Big bridges over it, Hopsie, it's tidal so sometimes you get seals! Not very often but every now and again you see one. Lots of people fish along there and a couple of hundred years ago it was a very busy port so there's a lot of history - lots of old buildings, some parts of the town still have the old cobbles in the streets although much has been flattened over of course. It's lit up at night so the lights are still on the time I go out and it looks really lovely. People kayak along it but there isn't room under the bridge for big boats to get through. I think the current is very strong; there are old stories of people drowning in there, it's also quite dirty looking so people don't swim in it. Lots of rubbish unfortunately, I don't know why people litter like they do. But it's still nice to walk along there.
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