Five To Help You Survive: Positive News For The Longest Week

Here's what I've been doing this week that helps me get by and beyond the constant noise all around me.

Decades ago, self-care was easier: this was all we needed to do to unplug from a chaotic world around us. Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

Most of you prime-timers are in the United States, so you know what I mean by the longest week.

The final week before Election Day on Nov. 5th is full of so much noise about so much stuff that’s full of fear about the future that it feels like it will never end. And it’s no longer easy to detach from all of the messaging.

• They interrupt the fun feeling you looked forward to from watching the season finale of “Only Murders In The Building.”

• They barge in on your morning coffee quiet time via text with a variety of guilt-laden requests for a donation.

• They persistently light up your phone with incoming calls. Even putting calls on silent mode and blocking numbers doesn’t stop the intruders from coming in like weeds pushing their way through my patio pavers.

I don’t like when these messages disrupt the routines I follow to ensure I maintain a positive mindset. I’ve worked hard for many years to be at this state of joyful living, hopeful views of my future and anxiety-free thoughts. I do not want to go back to a life where I was full of doubt, fear, and negativity.

While the information about the candidates and issues is important, and I take my responsibility as a voter very seriously, I’ve also got a responsibility to myself to take care of my well-being and not allow fear over the future ruin my present.

This week I’m leaning hard into the routines I’ve created over the last several years that make me view my life now as “my prime.” I’m fighting back on the negative messaging to focus more on content that is helpful, inspiring, and humorous. I hope sharing what’s working for me to stay positive and joyful might be helpful to you, too.

1.I seek laughter. This week, I can’t seem to get enough of watching old Saturday Night Live skits. I’ve been a fan of the show since it launched in the mid-70s and one of my 8th-grade classmates told me then that to be cool, you must watch it. I’m glad I took his advice and that I kept watching it long after I cared what was cool in junior high school.

Thanks to the internet, I no longer stay up late to watch this current 50th season- I can catch any great skit highlights online for days after. But what I’m loving now is digging back through the old seasons with cast members like Will Farrell, who portrayed Jeopardy host Alex Trebek dozens of times and always failed to keep his crazy celebrity contestants in line. Check it out below:

I love watching the duo of Fred Armisen and Bill Hader doing just about any skit together during their tenure. (Not sure why my current favorite is the duo playing Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as raunchy Cockneys, but they have me laughing out loud).

What makes you laugh out loud when you watch or listen to it all by yourself? Find the YouTube videos, the TikTok stories, or the binge-watching seasons of your favorite comedy sitcom from years ago and queue them up daily. It will replace the heavy, anxious thoughts with lighter ones of joy and you’ll find yourself better able to focus on the present.

2. I read about topics that inspire me and keep hope present.

I’ve cultivated a great list of sources for inspirational, upbeat news and information that does not usually make anyone’s top story “feed” on social media. I like features about people doing research to advance treatment for Alzheimer’s, for example, and I like to hear about authors and their new books that help us all live longer, healthier lives.

Below are a couple of the sources for inspiring information I tap into every week. It gives me an amazing boost to my positivity to learn all of the good that does happen in the world that we often don’t see behind the heavy, black cloud of bad news.

The Sunday Paper (mariashriversundaypaper.com)

Reasons to be Cheerful

Optimism.com

3. I’ve turned away from social media.

Today is Day 6 of my Facebook fast. I’m doing the “quick start” fast by removing the Facebook app from my phone. Scrolling through Facebook is a daily habit I’ve developed over the last few years and I usually enjoy keeping in touch with many friends far away via their shared life events. For this reason, I haven’t completely closed Facebook, I’ve just made it harder to get sucked into every day.

Unfortunately, Facebook isn’t all fun and family now. It’s a breeding ground for dumb arguments and nasty comments flung safely from the shield of an anonymous profile.

I may miss a few fun celebrations of friends' good times, but I feel it’s a worthwhile tradeoff for keeping myself secure from a lot of online bickering. Whether it’s about politics, sports, or the best flavor of Dorito’s, social media posts can and do affect us too much. Ask yourself if the scroll is worth it- what would it feel like to not get sucked into the scroll for just one day?

4. I’m spending more time doing what I love.

I sure miss Tom Petty but he still brings me so much joy through his music.

I learned a long time ago that whenever I surround myself with my favorite music, I feel good. Listening to music by my favorite artists feels like going home again. I’m also a college football fan, so this time of year I can immerse myself in multiple three-and-a-half hour performances showcasing the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. When watching a game with neither a favorite or despised team playing, I enjoy rooting for the underdog. It’s like tapping into the feeling of hope with every contest.

Whether you love taking long walks, re-organizing your closets, visiting the home improvement store to dream of future projects, scouring flea markets, making beautiful fall wreaths, or planning your holiday menus for guests, just do more of what you love right now. Bringing joy and satisfaction into your life will improve your well-being immensely.

5.I’m planning to make dreams a reality in 2025.

I’ve got a very deep well of dreams when it comes to travel destinations. I’ve made so many happen that I’ve just added a section here on my Substack publication to share my travel stories, including how I have embraced solo travel by choice. If you want to pick up on my planning tips, itinerary ideas and travel along with me as I discuss my next adventures, look for the articles I’ll be sharing here (click on link to view).

I’ve already booked a mid-winter escape from the cold and dreary Midwest to the warm and colorful Southwest in January 2025. I’m finalizing the itinerary for a trip to northern England and the area around Edinburgh, Scotland for next May.

I remain positive in my view of the future and making dreams a reality. What is on your wish list to do in 2025? It may not be travel-related but perhaps some home improvement or big celebration of a family milestone. Spend more of your daily thoughts looking forward to events and activities next year that fill you with anticipation and excitement and then notice how your general outlook on life gets more positive.

Looking forward to talking with you again, thankfully, after the end of this longest of weeks!