

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ted Eytan

I really can’t believe it’s been a year already. And when I take a step back and think about how life has changed over the last year – the immediate answer that comes to mind is anxiety. I’ve never felt so anxious in my life. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night thinking about North Korea, immigration, taxes, net neutrality, attacks on the press, sexual assault (where there’s plenty blame to go around on both sides), medical coverage, whatever the topic du jour is (update: “Shithole countries”.) I used to sleep like a rock.

It’s hard to explain because I remember being frustrated in earlier administrations but this time I feel like I’m suffocating when I think too deeply about every tweet and statement and the madness of it all. [And I do recognize the privilege I have to be stressing about this and not about where I’m gonna get my next meal etc.] I try to focus my brain on local/neighborhood news, the animal fixes, my family, music but even that doesn’t always work. Though this month I’ve started reading books again, which has already calmed me a bit.

But enough about me – I’m curious about you guys. How has your life changed in the last year? Has your job changed (especially for the feds out there)? Has your health changed? Have your relationships changed? And how exactly are you coping with it all? Have you joined a gym? Are you drinking more/less? Eating better/worse? Going out more/staying in more? Have you gotten more/less politically active? For fellow folks who are feeling stressed – what advice do you have for getting through year two? Personally I think a massive snow storm or a new baby panda would do wonders but I’m open to the other suggestions!