Hey y’all.
Here’s a relaxing image!
I need that hammock plus some pillows, a blanket, and noise cancelling everything.
Today feels like being up to my neck in icy maple syrup: unpleasant and I can’t move very quickly.
And in a moment of complete hilarity, I scheduled my annual physical for today.
Wonder what my blood pressure will be like? (I think I can hear my blood pressure medication doing pushups in the other room, readying for battle.)
I know from traffic reports that many folks visit when Times are Stressful, so hi! Welcome! Yes, you should read whatever the heck you want.
You can read right here, if you like:
I love pictures like this because initially, and theoretically, it seems really lovely. Then I think about the practicalities of getting into a tub like that, being in the tub, and getting out, and I have imaginary sensory overload. I have plenty of actual sensory overload, so I’m not sure if this tub is for me — but if it’s for you, I hope hope hope you can make that happen for yourself.
I voted a few weeks ago, which means my texts and email have been pretty quiet, especially after I received confirmation my ballot had been counted. (And while I was writing this, my sister, who lives in Pennsylvania, just got word her ballot had been counted. That’s a good feeling! Also weird because I was actually factually typing about ballot counting when she texted me.)
I hope today counts in ways that we will look back on with relief and pride and a feeling of accomplishment.
I’m almost afraid to hit publish on that much optimism, my goodness!
Also it’s not lost on me that all the gifs are Reilly and Jonesy from Letterkenny, which is decidedly Canadian. (Hey, neighbors!)
I wanted to provide a space for y’all to hang out, since today and the coming weeks are likely going to be exhausting and hard and very a lot.
I realized yesterday morning that Past Sarah saved two of the Thursday Murder Club books and the newer Richard Osman book in audio, and I think Past Sarah made great choices. I have some cross stitch and fully charged ear buds. What about you?
What wishes do you have? What are you doing to look after yourself today?
I’m sending you the most warmth and gentle, soft comfort. Deep breaths. Fuzzy things.
It’s still yesterday on the west coast as I reply and I can’t sleep… I’m working on Nov 5th and planning to spend the evening after work with friends, Thai food, and imbibations… having people to hold on to in times like these are so important and I’m grateful for the people in my life that I can love and trust.
This is a thoughtful and kind post, and the SBTB community is one of the places I visit daily for my sanity. Thanks for this and for being here!
I sent this Ask A Manager post to a bunch of people
https://www.askamanager.org/2024/11/how-do-you-stay-focused-on-work-during-anxiety-inducing-world-events.html
Sympathies from across the pond.
Here in Australia I plan to get up tomorrow morning (Tuesday evening your time) and have the TV on all day. I always love watching election coverage and it’s interesting how the process in every state is so different from the national uniform standards we have here. But I may be biting my nails this time.
The results are not quite as life or death for non-Americans, but it feels not far off, since we are all tied to the US in so many ways that Americans are probably unaware of.
If I had a religious bone in my body I’d be praying hard. Take care of yourselves however you can.
All I can think of with that bath is my cat who has to investigate the bathtub every.single.time and falls in on a regular basis. What she would do with those floating temptations!
I am going to try not to obsessively check the news, but that will be easier early in the day when there isn’t that much to report. I’ll probably be checking back in here too.
@SBSarah:
The image of you up to your neck in icy maple syrup, just made me think of the molasses flood, which is both a bit cartoonish and actually kind of terrifying. So thanks for that? Lol.
I had my physical yesterday. My blood pressure was, indeed, high.
I have to work today & work with a bunch of people who are too nice to discuss elections. (they can’t vote) So I will keep busy with them.
I read most of the AAM post yesterday. I may recheck it today while at work. I may put one of the relaxing rainstorms from youtube on my speakers.
Tonight, when I get home, will be one of the challenges of staying away from the television. I will probably go to bed early with a book…. and a whisky.
remember to box breathe when your BP goes up.
This Canadian is praying hard for my neighbours south of the border! “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”
A group of us are going to a concert tonight because none of us can face sitting around at home, obsessively watching election returns and news pundits, as we get more and more wound up. The concert will be done by 10, so there will still be plenty of time to freak out at home afterwards.
this is kind and thoughtful and exactly why I love this place. thank you.
I have a few other stressful things going on in my life right now on top of the election so have thought about crawling into a hot bath with a cozy book a few times in the past week… and then I remember that the tub really needs a good scrub so the feeling passes 🙂
Is it possible to be full of hope and dread at the same time? Because that’s how I feel. I just came back from voting and I really wish I had that hammock to hide out in for the day.
Thank you Sarah for making and maintaining this space. This helps so much.
I have to work today so will do my usual: manage the inbox & take care of business. If I have any downtime, will probably start reading Mary Balogh’s ‘Always Remember,’ which I nabbed on sale this morning.
After work, I predict a binge of ‘911: Lone Star’ accompanied by the remainder of my birthday cake and possibly some alcohol, staying far far away from phone, computer, or any other conveyor of live news, followed by a sleep aid because I really need to not be completely stressed out by things I can’t affect.
It’s my birthday today so if any Americans want to give me a present, if you haven’t voted yet, vote! For my own blood pressure, I am avoiding the news until tonight and may watch with the sound off to only see results not commentary.
I voted which I didn’t know if I would be able to do due to sciatica. I went to Ulta and stress spent on Lancome mascara and a headband! Viva beauty stores. I have a stack of romances and cozy fantasies and am under my favorite blanket.
Trying to stay optimistic or at least grounded.
Toasting you all with chocolate and romance novels.
I plan to listen to news tonight on my local public radio station instead of TV, which seems less stressful somehow. Also, I got some Fromage d’Affinois (but forgot the crackers–LOL, guess I’ll be eating it with a spoon).
One of my favorite podcasters suggested “have a backup plan” and that he is getting a dog if his candidate loses. I haven’t thought of anything like this, though. I’m already participating in #FirstDraftFall (formerly #Nanowrimo), which might be enough to cheer me up for a few months at least, if it goes badly.
Already voted & will be staying away from social media & news sources until tomorrow.
I still haven’t worked out if being American, but living in another country is better or worse than being in country right now. On the one hand, very few political commercials and texts. On the other hand, when people ask well meaning questions like “how are you?” I end up trying to explain the American political system, such as it is. Because they know the two big names but everything else is not well reported on abroad. At least both my spouse and I got the confirmations that our votes made it to their proper places and were counted.
My plans for the rest of the day are to play cozy video games, watch Great British Bake Off while eating desserts, and hopefully get to sleep early. Then try not to check all the headlines the second I wake up tomorrow.
Just want to enjoy my upcoming birthday.
Vote with the passion of the women who fought for your right to vote.
Sending love and hugs to everyone. Dropped off my ballot last week, so today I saw the dentist (yay? LOL!) so my clean teeth and I took a walk with a friend, and I plan to keep the radio and TV off while I indulge in a book (and wrap up a proofreading project). Will probably check in with the kids–the youngest has been sick and thinks he might have an ear infection, boo. Be kind, especially to yourselves, peeps!
I early voted a week ago and will be at my little grandson’s birthday party. A perfect way to relax at least for tonight.
I’m feeling some of the anxiety even up here in Canada so I wish all of you to the south a peaceful evening as far as is possible. Hoping as hard as I can for the best outcome.
Up here in Canada, I am in a self imposed total news blackout until tomorrow morning. No social media where someone might meme something, no multiplayer games where people might bring it up in chat. Just cartoons and books and single player games. I treated myself to the third Steven Universe game and it is doing a good job of keeping me distracted and soothed.
I work for local government in an area where elections are… contentious. Been answering a lot of voter questions, and as of today it got much more stressful and more people were unpleasant. The next few weeks should be thoroughly awful. Please keep the comforting stuff coming, just trying to keep nose above water until this is (one way or another) over.
A friend suggested I take a look at #EnteredTheChat and #CompletedTheAssignment tags on Threads for some warm hugs. They were lovely.
Early voted two or three weeks ago. Working until 8pm, driving home and playing video games with my siblings (sister in Washington, her husband, and SIL in Colorado) until they pass out. Then getting up tomorrow to do storytime on autopilot. @_@
You’ll stress out more calories than you take in, so don’t count ’em. Hang in there, y’all. <3
Saved the Great British Baking Show for tonight..really enjoyed the first 3 episodes. Stress cooking and eating the past 2 days. News blackout. Thank you for this incredible and inviting space to be in. Onward we go!
Waving from Canada, Canadian here and watching anything on the telly except for poll results. The outcome of this election is unfortunately affecting us as well – global market and all – so it’s weighing heavily on us, and unfortunately also affecting our own politics up here. I am feeling very down right now, think I’ll just head for bed with a good book.
Hi. I worked and went for my annual eye appointment. Since my eyes were dilated I have streaming station playing the Ella Fitzgerald-Louis Armstrong station. Got my nails done earlier too. My blood pressure was way too high this morning. I check daily. So no news for me.
I voted weeks ago, went to rallies, hung signs and helped with mailers. Can’t do anything but hope now.
I was planning to work and go to a park after, but ended up taking a family member to urgent care. Staying at home is stressful because the news is constantly on and I feel rude with constantly changing the channel.
I started “Not Here to Make Friends” by Jodi McAlister the other day and have just finished it. I need another book, stat!
Voted early the second day it was open. Didn’t have a shred of doubt until last night, and even then, figured it was just the jitters….most people aren’t as ignorant and willfully short-sighted as the media portrays them… Now there’s panic again. But it’s early. There was a bubble before all the votes were counted in 2020 too.