The short answer is that I am determined to cope and get through "this" and hope for better days to come. So, part of the "how" is my decision that I will cope. No matter what.
But that doesn't make it easy. It's been very lonely. I don't have anyone in real life that I can speak my true thoughts and feelings to, and get the kind of response I crave (willingness to listen, to be logical, to admit that they don't have all of the answers either, to express love and compassion towards others rather than knee-jerk derision, mockery and dismissal of "the kind of people" who actually share a lot of my views). I tried and tried and tried at first, coming from all angles, and where I'm at right now -- I have given up that I will ever redpill any of them, and I'm trying just to maintain and preserve relationships, because these ARE my loved ones: parents, siblings, adult children, lifelong friends, neighbors, coworkers. I don't toss out any bait and I don't pick up any they toss out. I change the subject. It sucks and it's not authentic. I hope it's temporary (even though 3 years is a long time -- but the TDS started long before that, of course).
Coping techniques include: substack (for validation and interaction with like-minded -- it helps but it's not a substitute for the real thing); go out to hear local live music at a dive bar; taking the time to do home improvements and dream of better days (this is a fantasy, I admit, so yeah I live in fantasyland sometimes to cope -- on purpose -- I always come back, though); learn some new subjects (not all world domination tyranny, all the time -- I take breaks); try to do a few good deeds; do some creative, art-like stuff; spend time in nature; immerse myself from time to time in novels or films or music made in the before times; short- and long-term tangible projects (not all on the computer, but things that are made with your hands that have some heft and utility).
Oh, and I talk to strangers frequently. In the normal way that everyone used to do. Except I avoid people who wear masks. I don't even meet their eyes.
Mostly when it is especially hard, I acknowledge my pain, do something nice for myself, give myself a pep talk and get myself back out in the game as quickly as possible. Wallowing is not helpful. Sometimes the only thing that works is to tell myself, "well hey, at least these are some interesting times, for sure. Let's see what is in store next!"
Do you have anyone in your life that shares your values? I would be completely lost without my like minded tribe. I think itтАЩs imperative that you build a local tribe that you can interact with to keep you sane. You canтАЩt live on an island with only crazy people - you will lose yourself. Wishing you the best ЁЯСНЁЯП╗
Thanks. I have people in my life who share my values, but not necessarily my views or opinions, which they find controversial or incorrect (to one degree or another). It is the case that I have a few friends who have accepted that I did not take any of these shots, even though they believe in the shots and being boosted and have no clue of the massive deaths and injuries which they continue to think are rare. They are not open to information..... they don't want to change their minds and so we talk about other things. We have a history of shared experiences and we help one another (drop off food when people are sick, give rides when the car is in the shop) and mutual interests in several non-controversial topics. They all have TDS though. If I may make an analogy, it's a bit like if your spouse of many years had a sudden stroke and their personality changed in frightening ways (not the same person in some ways) -- but yet, they are still that person and still your spouse. Your relationship changes, and it's sad and you grieve, but they are still a part of your life and you do not abandon them and you try to connect in the ways that you still can.
I am hopeful that I will meet some locals soon who are unvaxxed conspiracy theorists because we will have so much to talk about. I hear that 95% are jabbed here, but that still leaves 5% open to possibility.
I can relate! In the same boat. Where are you located? I am working on helping to facilitate local gatherings to connect with like minds - in real life. We desperately need that. IтАЩm not interested in making a dime, itтАЩs just a labor of love as I want to build relationships with more like minds myself and get people together. The web site is in progress now.
DC suburbs (VA, MD) is on the list! However, the first 3 areas we will be NY metropolitan area (NY-NJ-CT Tri-State, where I am), Austin TX and Chicago IL. If youтАЩd like to connect, you can drop me an email at jscandurra at gmail.
Hang in there. A few diehard vaxers in my social circle have cracked recently and know they were fooled. They just wonтАЩt openly admit it to me directly because...pride. ЁЯЩД
How do you cope? My family is liberal too, but I only have two members left. so...
The short answer is that I am determined to cope and get through "this" and hope for better days to come. So, part of the "how" is my decision that I will cope. No matter what.
But that doesn't make it easy. It's been very lonely. I don't have anyone in real life that I can speak my true thoughts and feelings to, and get the kind of response I crave (willingness to listen, to be logical, to admit that they don't have all of the answers either, to express love and compassion towards others rather than knee-jerk derision, mockery and dismissal of "the kind of people" who actually share a lot of my views). I tried and tried and tried at first, coming from all angles, and where I'm at right now -- I have given up that I will ever redpill any of them, and I'm trying just to maintain and preserve relationships, because these ARE my loved ones: parents, siblings, adult children, lifelong friends, neighbors, coworkers. I don't toss out any bait and I don't pick up any they toss out. I change the subject. It sucks and it's not authentic. I hope it's temporary (even though 3 years is a long time -- but the TDS started long before that, of course).
Coping techniques include: substack (for validation and interaction with like-minded -- it helps but it's not a substitute for the real thing); go out to hear local live music at a dive bar; taking the time to do home improvements and dream of better days (this is a fantasy, I admit, so yeah I live in fantasyland sometimes to cope -- on purpose -- I always come back, though); learn some new subjects (not all world domination tyranny, all the time -- I take breaks); try to do a few good deeds; do some creative, art-like stuff; spend time in nature; immerse myself from time to time in novels or films or music made in the before times; short- and long-term tangible projects (not all on the computer, but things that are made with your hands that have some heft and utility).
Oh, and I talk to strangers frequently. In the normal way that everyone used to do. Except I avoid people who wear masks. I don't even meet their eyes.
Mostly when it is especially hard, I acknowledge my pain, do something nice for myself, give myself a pep talk and get myself back out in the game as quickly as possible. Wallowing is not helpful. Sometimes the only thing that works is to tell myself, "well hey, at least these are some interesting times, for sure. Let's see what is in store next!"
Thanks for your thoughts. It is hard and lonely. Admire you.
Do you have anyone in your life that shares your values? I would be completely lost without my like minded tribe. I think itтАЩs imperative that you build a local tribe that you can interact with to keep you sane. You canтАЩt live on an island with only crazy people - you will lose yourself. Wishing you the best ЁЯСНЁЯП╗
Thanks. I have people in my life who share my values, but not necessarily my views or opinions, which they find controversial or incorrect (to one degree or another). It is the case that I have a few friends who have accepted that I did not take any of these shots, even though they believe in the shots and being boosted and have no clue of the massive deaths and injuries which they continue to think are rare. They are not open to information..... they don't want to change their minds and so we talk about other things. We have a history of shared experiences and we help one another (drop off food when people are sick, give rides when the car is in the shop) and mutual interests in several non-controversial topics. They all have TDS though. If I may make an analogy, it's a bit like if your spouse of many years had a sudden stroke and their personality changed in frightening ways (not the same person in some ways) -- but yet, they are still that person and still your spouse. Your relationship changes, and it's sad and you grieve, but they are still a part of your life and you do not abandon them and you try to connect in the ways that you still can.
I am hopeful that I will meet some locals soon who are unvaxxed conspiracy theorists because we will have so much to talk about. I hear that 95% are jabbed here, but that still leaves 5% open to possibility.
I can relate! In the same boat. Where are you located? I am working on helping to facilitate local gatherings to connect with like minds - in real life. We desperately need that. IтАЩm not interested in making a dime, itтАЩs just a labor of love as I want to build relationships with more like minds myself and get people together. The web site is in progress now.
DC suburbs.
DC suburbs (VA, MD) is on the list! However, the first 3 areas we will be NY metropolitan area (NY-NJ-CT Tri-State, where I am), Austin TX and Chicago IL. If youтАЩd like to connect, you can drop me an email at jscandurra at gmail.
Hang in there. A few diehard vaxers in my social circle have cracked recently and know they were fooled. They just wonтАЩt openly admit it to me directly because...pride. ЁЯЩД