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Hello friends. I'm realizing that one of the side effects of Seeing Shit in Portland since May is that I have de-sensitized myself to a lot of legitimately horrifying acts of terrorism.
You maybe haven't? And so you might be really struggling today.
I have some tips.
You maybe haven't? And so you might be really struggling today.
I have some tips.
I would gently advise NOT stewing all day in this.
It is important to be informed. It is also important not to despair / wallow. Because: knowing about something doesn't FIX it.
You knowing about things AS THEY HAPPEN isn't actually useful, because often they are "developing"
It is important to be informed. It is also important not to despair / wallow. Because: knowing about something doesn't FIX it.
You knowing about things AS THEY HAPPEN isn't actually useful, because often they are "developing"
"Developing" means: facts are not there yet.
Key events will shift, numbers of the dead or injured will fluctuate. etc.
It's also a time when people will insert rumor, predictions, assessments, or other info-noise and present them as verified facts.
Key events will shift, numbers of the dead or injured will fluctuate. etc.
It's also a time when people will insert rumor, predictions, assessments, or other info-noise and present them as verified facts.
Sorting through info-noise is doubly taxing to your faculties, because you have to add filters to normal intake.
Further: if any part of this is triggering any part of you, you are doing yourself a violence by trying to keep up.
STOP. You don't have to see it when it breaks.
Further: if any part of this is triggering any part of you, you are doing yourself a violence by trying to keep up.
STOP. You don't have to see it when it breaks.
I will say it again:
you don't have to see it when it breaks.
I know it's hard to resist. But trust me on this one.
Unless you are actually in a position to CHANGE something when it breaks you are giving yourself more work to do
you don't have to see it when it breaks.
I know it's hard to resist. But trust me on this one.
Unless you are actually in a position to CHANGE something when it breaks you are giving yourself more work to do
There *are* useful things to do.
You have 2 big tasks any day A Big Thing Happens:
1.) Rest up. Save your strength/stamina. You want to be able to use it once the opportunity arises. (Other people will find ways to plug in if you don't see them, and they'll put out the call.)
You have 2 big tasks any day A Big Thing Happens:
1.) Rest up. Save your strength/stamina. You want to be able to use it once the opportunity arises. (Other people will find ways to plug in if you don't see them, and they'll put out the call.)
Part of the reason terrorism works is They want you to be tired and strung out, so that you CAN'T act when called upon.
One of the biggest acts of resistance you can do is to RESIST their yanking your chain, RESIST feeling hopeless.
One of the biggest acts of resistance you can do is to RESIST their yanking your chain, RESIST feeling hopeless.
If you are in a high-key panic, take a "numbing out" approach initially. Watch stand up comedians, play a video game, get on the phone with a child or someone who helps you calm down. CBD. Hot shower. Sleep. Whatever helps.
Because, you need to be somewhat rested for step 2:
Because, you need to be somewhat rested for step 2:
2.) Find a way to process (not fester).
Numbing out is vital for deescalating panic, but it is not a good "process the feels" tactic. It actually buries the feels under debris, making it harder to unearth later.
So. Try (if you can manage) to do a wee bit of processing today.
Numbing out is vital for deescalating panic, but it is not a good "process the feels" tactic. It actually buries the feels under debris, making it harder to unearth later.
So. Try (if you can manage) to do a wee bit of processing today.
You don't have to unpack everything. (There's way too much!!) But like. For 30 mins. 15 mins. Address some of the "WHAAAAAT?!" you're feeling.
Journal out the verbal thoughts.
Listen to a sad song and cry if you are having non-verbal thoughts / if that would be more useful.
Journal out the verbal thoughts.
Listen to a sad song and cry if you are having non-verbal thoughts / if that would be more useful.
If you are having having trouble connecting to any thoughts, take a walk, or go up and down the stairs a few times and shake out your arms.
This can somatically break up the trauma shelves. We want
no new trauma shelves to get built if we can help it.
This can somatically break up the trauma shelves. We want
no new trauma shelves to get built if we can help it.
The nice thing about movement (any amount! It doesn't have to be "exercise"!) is that you DON'T have to think about the feels for it to help making the feels feel less scary.
You can even do this WHILE you're "numbing out", if you're REALLY struggling right now.
You can even do this WHILE you're "numbing out", if you're REALLY struggling right now.
So. To recap.
Your job as a regular concerned citizen today is:
1. Rest
2. Process a bit
Every little bit helps with either of these tasks.
And it will create space so that you CAN act, when the time comes, whatever that looks like for you. (/thread)
Your job as a regular concerned citizen today is:
1. Rest
2. Process a bit
Every little bit helps with either of these tasks.
And it will create space so that you CAN act, when the time comes, whatever that looks like for you. (/thread)
