How are you staying sane in 202X

[YellowKing]

I think I mentioned it in R&P, but I took a very localized self-improvement approach. Learning guitar, learning German, focusing on friends and family, planning vacations. Controlling what I can control and not worrying too much about the rest. I'm consuming MUCH less news - I keep up to date on the major points but I'm no longer watching endless clips and commentary on social media like I did before the election.

I am fortunate in that anxiety has never been a big deal for me. I tend to be pretty easygoing when it comes to things beyond my sphere of influence, and don't tend to worry about things that may or may not happen. I have friends, however, who have severe anxiety issues and this has been extremely hard for them. To the point of impacting health and relationships. I've been trying to be a support outlet for them but ultimately I can't fix them.

[Drazzil]

I smoke weed. Not as much as I used to. I listen to pirated audiobooks. Watch youtube.

I stack gold and silver. Most of the gold I bought was at 1800-2200 an oz. Silver was mostly bought at 18-28 an oz. I also buy numismatic coins, graded foreign coins (Sorry Imlawboy. American numismatics are boring )

If I sold RIGHT NOW I could just about double my money if I sold through reddits coinsales. The only issue I would have is that selling anything makes me feel deeply ill. I didn't buy to invest. I kissed that money off already. I bought because I enjoy metal art made by governments long dead. I enjoy big silver coins with lots of heraldry and stuff.

I also bought a new gaming PC and a 65 inch OLED. I don't make very much money doing parking, but I don't really do anything else for "fun" and I work ungodly overtime at a job which I find engaging and fun most days. Also my beloved cat Mister Duchess is always by my side, slightly out of arms reach.

[naednek]

I smoke weed. Not as much as I used to. I listen to pirated audiobooks. Watch youtube.

I stack gold and silver. Most of the gold I bought was at 1800-2200 an oz. Silver was mostly bought at 18-28 an oz. I also buy numismatic coins, graded foreign coins (Sorry Imlawboy. American numismatics are boring )

If I sold RIGHT NOW I could just about double my money if I sold through reddits coinsales. The only issue I would have is that selling anything makes me feel deeply ill. I didn't buy to invest. I kissed that money off already. I bought because I enjoy metal art made by governments long dead. I enjoy big silver coins with lots of heraldry and stuff.

I also bought a new gaming PC and a 65 inch OLED. I don't make very much money doing parking, but I don't really do anything else for "fun" and I work ungodly overtime at a job which I find engaging and fun most days. Also my beloved cat Mister Duchess is always by my side, slightly out of arms reach.

some things never change

[stessier]

Filed under "12 habits that are keeping you poor"

[Jeff V]

My resolve to remain here until the kids are done with school (daughter is in 2nd grade) has faded drastically. As someone who won't back down as a left-wing activist, things can become untenable here. We have an out with a condo in Manila, and soon a house in the Philippines as well. I don't prefer it, but at least it's an option. I probably need to start teaching the kids why this might be their future. While we are in a congressional district with a 3rd term democrat representative, I don't think it's our 'hood that's her greatest support. The kids tell me their classmates seem to support the shitstains, so I need to be careful in explaining why their friends are wrong.

And they seem ok with that.

[Drazzil]

I smoke weed. Not as much as I used to. I listen to pirated audiobooks. Watch youtube.

I stack gold and silver. Most of the gold I bought was at 1800-2200 an oz. Silver was mostly bought at 18-28 an oz. I also buy numismatic coins, graded foreign coins (Sorry Imlawboy. American numismatics are boring )

If I sold RIGHT NOW I could just about double my money if I sold through reddits coinsales. The only issue I would have is that selling anything makes me feel deeply ill. I didn't buy to invest. I kissed that money off already. I bought because I enjoy metal art made by governments long dead. I enjoy big silver coins with lots of heraldry and stuff.

I also bought a new gaming PC and a 65 inch OLED. I don't make very much money doing parking, but I don't really do anything else for "fun" and I work ungodly overtime at a job which I find engaging and fun most days. Also my beloved cat Mister Duchess is always by my side, slightly out of arms reach.

some things never change

lol

[RunningMn9]

mentally healthy stuff

I think I would be trying to emulate YK here, if the leopards weren’t currently trying to eat my face specifically. But they are, so my answer flips to “I’m not staying sane”.

[LordMortis]

I try. I fail. I try to fail better but I'm not succeeding at that either. I'm hoping as it warms I shift my approach. It's easier to fail better in warmer, less isolated and sedentary encouraging weather. Though there are large hurdles this year to failing better from new attack dog neighbors, to a crazy expensive year in home repairs, to the obviously political.

This too shall pass, right, even if there seems to a long line of things waiting to pass.

[Madmarcus]

I'm trying to focus my attention locally trying to build up a better network of friends, closer acquaintances, and well known neighbors. The doesn't come easy but I know it is good for me.

[LawBeefaroni]

I stack gold and silver. Most of the gold I bought was at 1800-2200 an oz. Silver was mostly bought at 18-28 an oz. I also buy numismatic coins, graded foreign coins (Sorry Imlawboy. American numismatics are boring )

If I sold RIGHT NOW I could just about double my money if I sold through reddits coinsales. The only issue I would have is that selling anything makes me feel deeply ill. I didn't buy to invest. I kissed that money off already. I bought because I enjoy metal art made by governments long dead. I enjoy big silver coins with lots of heraldry and stuff.

If you mean me, Eagles are the standard but I do buy Royal Mint as well. The 10oz Queen's Beasts and Tudor Beasts are gorgeous. Some of the Myths proofs too.

One thing I would say, don't be afraid to sell if you need to. It's just cash equivalent. You can always buy the exact same thing back again.

[Drazzil]

I stack gold and silver. Most of the gold I bought was at 1800-2200 an oz. Silver was mostly bought at 18-28 an oz. I also buy numismatic coins, graded foreign coins (Sorry Imlawboy. American numismatics are boring )

If I sold RIGHT NOW I could just about double my money if I sold through reddits coinsales. The only issue I would have is that selling anything makes me feel deeply ill. I didn't buy to invest. I kissed that money off already. I bought because I enjoy metal art made by governments long dead. I enjoy big silver coins with lots of heraldry and stuff.

If you mean me, Eagles are the standard but I do buy Royal Mint as well. The 10oz Queen's Beasts and Tudor Beasts are gorgeous. Some of the Myths proofs too.

One thing I would say, don't be afraid to sell if you need to. It's just cash equivalent. You can always buy the exact same thing back again.

Yeah but it's disgusting how fast gold and silver are going up. At this rate I really won't be able to afford to buy new gold at all, ever again. I *REALLY* throttled back my spending on coins and stuff the last year. What a silver oz go for was 18 a few years ago was 26 last year and is 32 now. I really really hope it won't go higher then it is. I get the sense that gold and silver and coins in general are sitting in a HUGE bubble. I bought ounces of gold at 1600-2200. It's broken 3k now.

I was hoping Harris would win to cool gold and silver prices off but precious metals do gangbusters in uncertain times and this is the most uncertain of them. I *literally* wouldn't care if gold went down to 25 an oz and silver to a dollar an oz. I would love it. More for me. I love coinage.

BTW: I pmed you a few questions. If you care to answer them great. If not that's cool too.

[dbt1949]

I've been watching a lot of videos on Portland lately. How do you like the city?

And yes, despite living with kids I'm getting into my olde self and becoming more of a loner. They pretty much ignore me except for buying my food and occasionally taking me to appointments at the VA. I usually miss them.

[hepcat]

Don’t go into hermit mode, man. You can always hit some of us up for an online board gaming night!

[Drazzil]

I've been watching a lot of videos on Portland lately. How do you like the city?

And yes, despite living with kids I'm getting into my olde self and becoming more of a loner. They pretty much ignore me except for buying my food and occasionally taking me to appointments at the VA. I usually miss them.

I like Portland well enough. I don't do much.

[Kraken]

Did I mention that I doubled my antidepressant dose? I ordinarily do that, with my doctor's blessing, to combat winter depression. Once we set the clocks ahead and daylight dispels my depression, I cut back to a half dose. Although we're only a few weeks away from that annual mood boost, I think I need to stay on the full dose for at least the next four years.

[LordMortis]

Seeing this thread bump and being at the longtime low I've been for over a month now, I'm going to attempt to force myself out to a monthly boardgame group with strangers on Saturday to see if it helps or hurts or does nothing to matters. I'd actually like to find something other than gaming because I think I need to be social and for quite sometime now gaming with friends has put me in strategy mode rather than a highly go with the flow social mode. The joking and laughing has given too much way to concentration and timely turn taking in games that often take hours to play a round.

[Skinypupy]

Not gonna lie, it's been a really rough month. Between the DEI Executive Order, USAID's shuttering, and Elon, 90% of my business has been wiped out in the past 30 days. I've been trying not to sink into self-pity mode (because that won't help much), but some days are better than others. Told my boss that it feels like I'm waking up to get punched in the face over and over again and the only answer is just to suck it up and deal with it. Thankfully, it looks like I may have a career escape route lined up, at least temporarily. I've got a really solid 20-year track record, so my company is doing everything they can to plug me in somewhere else instead of just letting me go. I'll be jumping over to another team, but it means basically starting over. That terrifies me, but at least I'll still have a job.

I've found that I'm struggling to enjoy many of the things I typically do to escape. Been really struggling to get up and run in the mornings, I can't get interested in any video games, can't focus enough to play board games, movies aren't interesting, and picking up a book just makes me fall asleep. I've been trying to focus more on things I can do to help around the house (mostly just cleaning) so I don't just sit around and doomscroll for hours once I'm done with work. Lots of days, the feeling of dread and worry for what's going to happen to both mine and my kid's future is overwhelming

I know these are all classic signs of depression, but I don't know that there's much I can do right now except try and power through. Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation. I don't really want to go the medication route unless I absolutely have to. My hope is that maybe once I stop getting metaphorically punched in the face every single day, that some of this malaise will crack and I can start feeling a little more normal. Guess we'll see.

[Smoove_B]

I've found that I'm struggling to enjoy many of the things I typically do to escape. Been really struggling to get up and run in the mornings, I can't get interested in any video games, can't focus enough to play board games, movies aren't interesting, and picking up a book just makes me fall asleep. I've been trying to focus more on things I can do to help around the house (mostly just cleaning) so I don't just sit around and doomscroll for hours once I'm done with work. Lots of days, the feeling of dread and worry for what's going to happen to both mine and my kid's future is overwhelming

This has pretty much been my daily existence since (checks watch) March of 2020. There are days or short stretches where its better, but generally speaking it's been never-ending for me. The last month has really just been an extension of an existing state.

I know these are all classic signs of depression, but I don't know that there's much I can do right now except try and power through. Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation. I don't really want to go the medication route unless I absolutely have to. My hope is that maybe once I stop getting metaphorically punched in the face every single day, that some of this malaise will crack and I can start feeling a little more normal. Guess we'll see.

I've been trying to power through now for about half a goddamn decade. Does it work? Yes. Is there a cost? I'm sure. Maybe it will be different for you, but I'm chiming in to say I haven't been normal in a long time. If you can initiate the process for therapy and you're into the idea, IMHO I'd be doing it.

[Madmarcus]

I hear you when you worry about gaming being potentially too focused on the games to be a great social connection.

Last year I started to get into the SCA in the hopes of finding a social outlet. It's tough because the weekly hangouts and other events are all annoyingly far away but it has been good at getting me interested in expanding my creative hobbies and turning what can be random internet time into focused research. The people are terrific but it seems the friendships get forged mostly in the sport fighting (I have little to no interest) so I constantly feel like an outsider. Nerding out about they history side of things (other than a few crafts that are easy to do while sitting around talking) gets a lot of nods and smiles but no real connection.

[Brian]

Traveling mostly. We went to Greece in 2023, Mexico in 2024, and we are two months away from an Alaska cruise followed by a return to Mexico in October and we also have a Caribbean cruise (Clothing Optional) booked for February of next year.

Considering booking trips to scout out possible retirement locations outside of the country. Belize, Mexico, Panama, etc are all on the "Possibles" list.

[LawBeefaroni]

Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation.

Schedule a consultation now. While you're waiting, try online counseling. There are seveal reputable providers.

[Skinypupy]

Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation.

Schedule a consultation now. While you're waiting, try online counseling. There are seveal reputable providers.

Thanks, will look into that.

Cost is the other barrier, tbh. I'm already paying nearly $500/month (after insurance) for therapy for all three kids. Our insurance covers nearly nothing for mental health care. With the impending work doom, adding yet another bill onto that pile seems like it may be unwise.

Perhaps better than the alternative though.

[LordMortis]

Last year I started to get into the SCA in the hopes of finding a social outlet. It's tough because the weekly hangouts and other events are all annoyingly far away but it has been good at getting me interested in expanding my creative hobbies and turning what can be random internet time into focused research. The people are terrific but it seems the friendships get forged mostly in the sport fighting (I have little to no interest) so I constantly feel like an outsider. Nerding out about they history side of things (other than a few crafts that are easy to do while sitting around talking) gets a lot of nods and smiles but no real connection.

I've yet to find an interest to engage me like that. I had tons of them when I was younger. I don't know what happened nor why I can't really remember what they were. I hope the SCA stuff works for you in the long run or opens doors to the right historical groups. If that's you jam, it sounds great.

[Blackhawk]

Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation.

Schedule a consultation now. While you're waiting, try online counseling. There are seveal reputable providers.

Do this, and don't be afraid of trying medication.

I 'forced' it for more than a decade. Twice. The repercussions are severe. It's like choking back anger that lasts 24/7. It might let you function for a little while, but it's miserable, and when the dam finally breaks (and it will), it's usually devastating.

[LordMortis]

Seeing this thread bump and being at the longtime low I've been for over a month now, I'm going to attempt to force myself out to a monthly boardgame group with strangers on Saturday to see if it helps or hurts or does nothing to matters.

It's a short day and the game is already going on and I'm still at home. So, defeated for the month on this matter. I have to now find and work toward the next thing now. Not sure what that is yet.

[Drazzil]

Any therapist that's covered by our insurance has a 3-4 month wait to even just do an initial consultation.

Schedule a consultation now. While you're waiting, try online counseling. There are seveal reputable providers.

Do this, and don't be afraid of trying medication.

I 'forced' it for more than a decade. Twice. The repercussions are severe. It's like choking back anger that lasts 24/7. It might let you function for a little while, but it's miserable, and when the dam finally breaks (and it will), it's usually devastating.

Morbid thought: May want to stock up on antidepressants now. Its not inconceivable that the supply chain for antidepressants and medical care may be disrupted.

[Unagi]

How does one stock up on a prescription drug?

[Isgrimnur]

[Sudy]

My morbid thoughts are far more morbid.

But concerns about drug availability are all the more reason to simultaneously learn and work on other coping and self-improvement strategies.

[Blackhawk]

I learned a lesson after having insurance suddenly cut me off from one med, and supply shortages cut me off from another. The first time was a very strong med and I was on a high dose. The result was a terrible couple of weeks of withdrawal that has been compared to heroin withdrawal. The second time I had just enough to start dividing them up (half-doses, then quarter) to ease the withdrawals. Not enough to properly wean myself, but enough to make it bad instead of awful.

Since I'm now on a non-controlled antidepressant, I've taken to filling them on the earliest day possible. That means I usually have two or three left over from the previous month when I get them. Those I pour into an extra bottle and keep stashed in my safe. Should the day come when I get cut off, I'll have enough to wean myself off of them properly.

[Sudy]

I have a couple similar stashes. I collected unused pills over the years until I eventually took them into the pharmacy for disposal. They made me open all the bottles and dump them into a paper bag.

SS/SNRI withdrawal is horrible. Brain zaps are a bizarre and unwelcome sensation.

[LawBeefaroni]

Since I'm now on a non-controlled antidepressant, I've taken to filling them on the earliest day possible. That means I usually have two or three left over from the previous month when I get them. Those I pour into an extra bottle and keep stashed in my safe. Should the day come when I get cut off, I'll have enough to wean myself off of them properly.

Make sure you're rotating them rather than just dumping into storage. They undoubtedly have expiry dates and while they'll still be somewhat effective, they may get more unpredictable the older they are.

[Madmarcus]

I hope the SCA stuff works for you in the long run or opens doors to the right historical groups. If that's you jam, it sounds great.

Thanks. In reality I suspect I'm never going to go to events regularly enough to really fit in because park volunteering and SCA events conflict on Tuesday nights and weekends. Then throw in the fact that my wife also does the park volunteering and has no interest in the SCA.

[Drazzil]

How does one stock up on a prescription drug?

Ask your doctor for a prescription for a six month supply of antidepressants, or whatever you think you're gonna need for six months and then go to a wal mart or a Costco and pay cash. At least that's what I did the last time I thought the world was gonna end. Am I missing something?

[Blackhawk]

Since I'm now on a non-controlled antidepressant, I've taken to filling them on the earliest day possible. That means I usually have two or three left over from the previous month when I get them. Those I pour into an extra bottle and keep stashed in my safe. Should the day come when I get cut off, I'll have enough to wean myself off of them properly.

Make sure you're rotating them rather than just dumping into storage. They undoubtedly have expiry dates and while they'll still be somewhat effective, they may get more unpredictable the older they are.

I plan to save a year's worth, mark the bottle, then start another bottle. When I get a year's worth there, I get rid of the first bottle. Rinse, repeat.

[hitbyambulance]

i don't want to go into it in a public forum here - if anyone wants to know my regimen, strategy and belief system go ahead and DM me - but let's just say i learned my lesson and am now doing many things _right_.

i will say i did do a lot of reading on Zen and Tibetan Buddhism and the Tao over the past few years - i have long aligned strongly with these, but i took my studies up a couple notches (and it never gets boring). i feel this has strengthened my sense of being _in_ the world while also re-recognizing the nature of Samsara and Anatta.

[Kraken]

Did I mention that weed is legal and cheap? Yeah, I'm smoking more of the devil's lettuce than I used to.

[Sudy]

i don't want to go into it in a public forum here - if anyone wants to know my regimen, strategy and belief system go ahead and DM me - but let's just say i learned my lesson and am now doing many things _right_.

Why don't you want to discuss it here? Not taking issue with it, just curious. Glad you've found something that works for you!

Did I mention that weed is legal and cheap? Yeah, I'm smoking more of the devil's lettuce than I used to.

Yeah, me too. Of course, I only started several years ago after legalization. I don't know if I'd say using it is a positive for me overall. An evening I smoke is an evening I don't get anything productive done. And if I don't distract myself it can intensify my existing anxiety. And then there are the munchies.... But it helps me create mental distance, and there's relaxation and a lightened mood to be found in it when I'm in the right place. The memory effects mean that it's not a good time to enjoy the new shows and movies I'm interested in, or narrative-heavy games. But watching favourites I'm already familiar with can be a lot of fun, as well as more mediocre films that I have less desire to give my full focus to.

I'm considering finally getting a vaporizer to cut down on smoking, though I'm a fairly light user as it is. I also don't want to feel compelled to use more than I want/need to due to the sunk cost. But it should make the experience more enjoyable and potentially safer. I had a Dynavap in my cart but it just seems like too much gear to set out on the balcony window sill. Will probably wait for something like the POTV XMAX V3 Pro to go on sale and stick one of their mini bubbler mouthpieces on it.

[Jaymann]

I'm surviving on dopamine hits.

[Skinypupy]

Did I mention that weed is legal and cheap? Yeah, I'm smoking more of the devil's lettuce than I used to.

Alas, the perils of living in a ruby red state.