With all the horrible news this week

[samplegirl]

I've felt sick all week. Acid reflux, insomnia, depression. I watercolor here and post to D.U. And I can feel myself consumed with worry.
I live in Ohio
Which is depressing anyway and some of the worst maga and republicans possible!

I like to watercolor and post in D.U. what I paint... but I am truly struggling. I can't even paint.

[Nanuke]

1. I too am struggling. Made an appointment to see a therapist. It's that bad.First time ever at age 67.

[samplegirl]

8. I'm upset called my Dr.

Can't get in till June!

[hlthe2b]

2. I have no miracle answers, but getting outside is so soothing to me..

I walk right at dawn with a group of other dog walkers, then we watch them play a bit at the dog park. It is hard to get up every morning, but I am so glad afterwards. Watching the ducks and geese with their young on the lake and the baby rabbits at nearly every turn is so healing. And we even have a breeding pair of Pelicans and Blue Herons. Yes, in Colorado!

Granted, the rest of the day after the news bombards me feels like a deadly barrage. But, getting outside a bit and walking does make a difference--maybe for you too?

[samplegirl]

9. It's raining here all week

making it much worse.

[hlthe2b]

20. Ahh, too bad... Well, you could bundle up like the Morton salt girl with your umbrella...

and make the best of it? Find your silly side?!

[Karadeniz]

3. Get the acid reflux over the counter pill....take a sominex or two...paint up some

big anti corruption, pro due process, etc signs for your yard or a protest... don't deprive me of the daily water colors that I always look at !!!!

[samplegirl]

11. Thanks I just needed

to hear something good.

[magicarpet]

33. Try a 5mg Melatonin 1/2 hour before bed,...

.... to help with sleep. Available over the counter at most drug stores or WalMart.

[summer_in_TX]

43. Good News Network is still publishing great stories.

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/

Headlines over the last few days:

World’s Tallest 3D-Printed Structure Rises 4 Stories into the Air Like a Wedding Cake, Inspired by Local Bakeries

Trees Can Warn Us When Volcanos Are Ready to Erupt–and NASA Satellites Can Read Their Signals

Stray Dog Rescued from the Streets Visits Dozens of Countries with Woman Who ‘never liked dogs’

🫂🤗

[North Shore Chicago]

45. Thanks for this!

Only had time to read about Butch the dog. Heartwarming! Now, I want a tuk tuk, lol.

[samplegirl]

46. Thank you for this

Also sent it to a friend who is in bed not well.

[samplegirl]

51. This is great!

[Dear_Prudence]

4. Dandelion

I turn to your beautiful paintings when my heart is heavy. Thank you for sharing them with DU. Take care of yourself.

[samplegirl]

12. I'm trying but

this week is hitting me hard.
Republicans had a choice, democracy or dictatorship. Project 2025 full speed ahead.

[samplegirl]

47. Painting and then sharing

Seems to be my calm and then my exit to bed at night
hoping we all find kindness and inspiration in terrible times.

[Deuxcents]

5. I can see and hear the change in my friends' dispositions..mine, too. We are not quick to be optimistic

Last edited Thu May 22, 2025, 10:18 PM - Edit history (1)

Even tho we try to lift each other up, someone is more depressed than usual. Even my niece tonight was complaining and she’s mostly upbeat and only in her 40’s! I can say we’re all in this together, which we are, but that’s an understatement when it’s so pervasive these days. I hope your painting gives you as much joy painting them as it does us when you share them. Thank you 😊

[samplegirl]

13. It's bad when I can't even paint

Then on top of that rain all week so I haven't been able to get outside and garden or just get my mind somewhere else. So I guess the best thing for me to do is to come here and vent tonight. A friend called me this morning and all I did was cry

[sprinkleeninow]

25. I broke down the other day with 2 acquaintances and one

customer service representative stranger.

[samplegirl]

48. I've done that

one lady that heard my conversation with a friend in her consigment shop. The stranger then chimed in and I cried as her son in law was big on Trump and she started to cry.

[Walleye]

6. I know how you feel. I've been having health problems this week myself most of the ones you mentioned.

[samplegirl]

14. I truly am struggling walleye

This whole month I have felt so much anxiety. These Republicans just do whatever they wanna do now they're all in Trump's corner. The rest of us can all just go to hell.

[Walleye]

18. They sure don't act like politicians facing another election

[Grim Chieftain]

7. Right there with you

We are living in terrible times and it's taking a toll on many of us. If it helps, you are not alone.

[samplegirl]

15. I know I'm not alone. I just feel like I just can't even do one more thing.

Yesterday I spent the biggest part of the day making soup for a friend going through radiation therapy. I texted him and told him to let me know when I could drop it off. He read the text but never got back with me so I put the soup in the refrigerator and I ate some of it tonight. You try to do something good and it's never enough.

[Grim Chieftain]

21. We call a couple of our friends once a week

They used to live across the street but moved to another state a few years ago. We call the phone calls therapy chats. We can talk about the many struggles we are now facing and the incredible challenges we face each and every day. It's good to share with like minded people who understand and care. I hope you have good friends as well, samplegirl, who can help you and whom you can help as well.
Take care.

[samplegirl]

49. I'm the nurturing type

Always have been. Miss my old neighbor girls they were right across the street.
Been here at my new house 10 yrs and still miss both of them. We text and call.
Here neighbors on both side love trump. We don't speak. All of my good friends got the hell out of Ohio!

So it mainly just me my hub and the cat.

[electric_blue68]

10. {hug} I enjoy your watercolors. I'm worried about being kicked out of assisted living place bc Medicaid. That being..

said, and I am a "worry wort" I do manage to distract myself w TV, movies, crafts, digital art, trying to get back to physical drawing, reddit fun stuff. Etc

Yeah, I do have like a spike worry I have to beat down sometimes more than 1 x day, other times every few days . A few tears here, and there every several days.

For my mental health unless there's a very big news event I must follow I now take Sat & Sun off from politics, sometimes Fri, too. It often helps me cope much better. This happened bc back in late Feb or so i found my face hurting from tightened up anxiety, anger etc. Gone now. 👍

As for your acid reflux. Had a stomach issue decades back. Found out boiled green plantains [about 45 mins] were helpful for stomach issues. Since I live in NYC near back then a Hispanic area it wasn't too hard to get some.
Helped, and it went away, never came back! 30+ yrs ago!

Good Luck!

[samplegirl]

17. Well for your sake, I hope you get to stay where you're at.

It's all so overwhelming. It's like there isn't a damn thing we can do to change anything and they're all rejoicing. They literally prayed to God in a circle to cut Medicaid for this belt pass. What a bunch of sick people.

[electric_blue68]

44. Many thanks! Oh, I hadn't heard about their "prayer circle" ....

Jesus might slap them silly for their cruelty.

I hope only somehow The Senate can stop it

[samplegirl]

64. That's what I want

reading so much crap about how bad omerprazole is!

[LoisB]

16. It is the danged uncertainty of the times. No one knows what fresh hell will befall us

tomorrow. All we can do is the best we can do with what we've got. Your paintings give us a breath of beauty in these troublesome times.

You are most assuredly not alone. Breathe and regroup.

[LiberalLoner]

19. I'm so sorry. I'm right there with you. Want to cry most of the time. Really hard to find any

Happiness when I honestly believe there is a real chance 90% of us will be unalived by the time Trump is done with us.

[samplegirl]

50. Yes and the worrying creates a

Revolving door of more problems I can't deal with.
Ohio is full of red maga idiots. Our politicians are corrupt and so is our board of elections!

[LiberalLoner]

62. I'm so sorry. 😭😭😭. I hope better times will come someday.

[sprinkleeninow]

22. I hear you.

💖 🙏

[ALBliberal]

23. FWIW I absolutely look forward to your

watercolors. They inspire me and remind me of a gentle power we can impart outside of politics. In short it helps me recenter and breathe.

[samplegirl]

53. Yes and for awhile

I was watching some good classics on Turner Classic
but can't seem to find anything good to watch on there lately. Need diversion!

[justaprogressive]

61. I'll bet your library has dvds for rent...

Host your own classic movies night

[Trueblue Texan]

24. Hugs and therapeutic distraction, Sample Girl...

Sometimes the best thing to do is simply look away until you feel stronger.

[samplegirl]

54. When it gets real bad

I call my paint partner in NY and she just lets me cry
over the phone and then that brings some relief.
Horrible to have anxiety to this point.
I don't watch news anymore. Unless I catch Rachel on Monday nights. I read what I want and it seems to upset me so try to find outlets from it all.

[littlemissmartypants]

26. ❤️

[orangecrush]

27. ...

[Bayard]

28. I don't know what part of Ohio you live in,

But when I lived in Cincinnati it was a majorly red city. It was depressing. Now, I can't believe they elected a Dem mayor!

Hang in there, samplegirl. Interacting with Nature can be wonderfully rejuvenating. Taking walks, playing with the dogs, working in the garden, riding, taking care of all the other animals is what keeps me from totally losing it.

Your art is a bright spot here, and uplifting for the rest of us.

[samplegirl]

55. That's good to hear

As it keeps me painting!❤️

[3Hotdogs]

29. You know we're here for you. Originally wrote this, "You know we're hear for you, then corrected it,

But maybe , hear is the correct word.

Maybe turn off the tv or radio for two weeks. Knowing what's happening generates feelings of helplessness and depression because we can't do anything about it that feels meaningful.


Then I want to give you an assignment if you will accept. Two years ago, I was on a hike through a meadow and came across a sprout of Crimson Clover. I liked it so much that I ordered seeds to spread in my suburban yard. So far, about 20 have sprouted and they give me great pleasure, especially when Sun shines on them.

Please paint a single or a bunch of Crimson Clover.

[samplegirl]

56. I can try that.

I planted money plant and I love that I harvested enough in a big vessel. It's nice at fall.

[hamsterjill]

30. I follow this one holistic nurse practitioner on YouTube.

No, I don't take medical advice, but I do like his perspective on some things. He did a video the other day about how we are all so stressed in this time and it's causing illness right and left. The nervous system never gets the opportunity to rest and be calm these days. And it's totally unhealthy, as we all know. But he wanted to put words to it, and it all makes sense.

I totally believe that nervousness (i.e., the fear, the over stimulation, the anxiety, the health issues, etc.) are elements of the plan to whittle down anyone who dares disagree with the current crap. I think it's orchestrated in many ways for their specific purpose.

We all need to do our very best to make sure we don't let them have the satisfaction of hurting us. We all need to watch over one another, help one another, vent to one another, and keep our sanity.

So, find something that you want to paint but never thought you'd be talented enough to do - and TACKLE it! I'll be you will surprise yourself and, when it's done, you'll be empowered. I'll wait to hear what you come up with, and would love to see that project posted on DU!

Take care, my friend.

[samplegirl]

57. Thanks hon

I'm usually better once we get outside and plant flowers and such. But so much rain prevents us yet.

The best picture I've painted and am so proud of was accepted in a local art show. I had never painted a portrait bu somehow with the direction of painting friend in India she told me what to mix and do.

Still look at it and can't believe I did it.

[justaprogressive]

59. I like it.

The viewer desperately wants to know the object of his gaze. It's delightful.

[hamsterjill]

67. Now THAT is incredible!!! I love it!

You have real, genuine talent. I'm so glad that you have been doing these and are getting enjoyment from doing them. Keep 'em coming!!!!

[Bev54]

31. I hope you can find a release

Being Canadian, I was like that after your election and still have not watched any US newscast, only get news from here and Canadian news (which still has too much of Trump) and I have to turn it off. I did not realize how much it affected me until our own election was over and now I sleep all night and have gotten back into an exercise routine. I wish for all of you some kind of relief but I just don’t see it on the horizon. Just don’t stop fighting but take care of yourself first, if you can travel do, you are welcome in our country anytime.

[Ol Janx Spirit]

32. I--no, we all--feel your pain. You may have read this already, but whenever I feel overwhelmed...

...I turn to the most powerful memoir I've personally read: Night, by Elle Wiesel. You can read it for free here:
https://www.renaissanceacademyschools.com/uploads/1/5/2/9/15294762/night_book.pdf

It always reminds me of the resilience of the human soul; and how--no matter how bad things may be for me at the time--my situation is still relatively fantastic in the scheme of human history.

For some odd reason it spurs my creativity. Perhaps that comes from looking at the world just that little bit differently.

The other thing it always reminds me is to not despair. No matter how bad things seem they can always change for the better.

We must find strength where we can. History will not be written by the current set of losers in the Administration.

[Solly Mack]

34. Love you! Feel better soonest!

[samplegirl]

63. Oh Solly

Last edited Fri May 23, 2025, 11:33 AM - Edit history (1)

you are loved too! And you have helped so many people. I still worry about my dearest friend Bob as you know. He's at treatment now.
But we talk daily.

[stillcool]

35. I'm on my third day of weepy's

I do have a virtual therapy appointment, which usually helps, but that was all weepy too. I haven't spent this much time on DU, in a long time. I'm just on this computer flitting around trying to keep my head too busy to go places. This too shall pass! It's a crazy, whacked out world we're living in. Can't look, can't stay away.

[samplegirl]

65. I know you want to stay informed, and then it gets to the point where the information

Is overload anxiety from so much bad stimulation.

[JMCKUSICK]

36. Thanks for your honesty post Samplegirl,

Please know how much beauty and awe you offer to us most nights and the delight that you bring to us is priceless. Thank you!!

[Collimator]

37. My heart goes out to you.

And like so many others I want to encourage you to engage in any self-care activities that work for you. That being said, I know how it feels when you don't even have the energy to do one of the important things that you know will make you feel better.

I once described my depression like this:

You have accidentally cut yourself. It's a big gash and you're losing blood and you KNOW that you have to do something to stop the bleeding. But you are already so weak and woozy from loss of blood that you can't take action to stop the loss of blood.

What works for one person may seem an impossible goal for another. I watched NOVA last night on PBS. It was about Dark Matter and Dark Energy and I find that being caught up in thoughts about the literal Universe helps to put the drama and events of this puny planet in perspective. I felt better for a couple of hours. Sometimes a couple of hours of peace and contentment in one given day is the best that I can manage. Then, the next day starts and I have to come up with something else.

Anyway, at this point, I don't know if I am helping, but please know that I wish you well. May you find the healing that you need.

[Laffy Kat]

38. You are not alone, samplegirl.

My doctor had to almost double my duloxetine dosage. I'm also getting weekly phone calls from the mental health department of my HMO just to check up on me. I'm trying to walk as much as possible because that also helps.

This is weird, but several times a day I bury my face into my doggo's fur and take a long inhale because her smell comforts me.

DU helps, as well.

On edit: Please keep posting watercolors. They are soothing.

[HeartsCanHope]

39. Sending you a hug!

[cate94]

40. Your paintings

Are very good and also very calming. I hope you can let go of the worry and breathe.

[Figarosmom]

41. Keep painting

Last edited Fri May 23, 2025, 12:21 AM - Edit history (1)

And even if it's raining take a walk or just sit outside under an overhang. The negative ions outside does wonders for your state of mind. Paint en plein air combining 2 things that are good for your minds peace.

I'll add, it has been raining here all week too, but during lulls in the rain I have gone out and sat on the glider and watched the birds pulling worms out if newly dug garden beds. It brought a smell to my face that I was providing to a new generation of birds in the nests in my bushes around the yard.

[Iamscrewed]

42. 1930s Germany

I'm vomiting every morning, nosebleeds, headaches, can't sleep right, won't communicate with MAGAts but I'm keeping my powder dry and my Doctor says that there isn't anything wrong with me?

[bucolic_frolic]

52. Do something that produces value for you

Plant string beans, weed, paint, repair, cook, clean. Clean a closet, a drawer, dust. Purge what is baggage. Organize your stuff, you may have the opportunity to flee. Improve your bottom line iow, what feeds your future.

[Hope22]

58. Oh samplegirl I am so sorry to hear this.

You are right that the rain and storms just add to the trouble. It’s going to clear up this weekend but be cooler so hopefully you can sweater up and get outside. A trick I use when I’m stuck on painting is to sit or stand in front of my paper and do a little meditation by closing my eyes and taking some easy breaths. When I’m ready to begin I pick up a pencil and write on the watercolor paper. Large or small, dark or light, in any direction that feels good. Anything goes. When I have said enough I put the pencil down and take a cleansing breath. At this point you may know what you will paint or you may simply use color to tell the story. It may become a background for a future painting. Time will tell. No pressure, just move the paint. Sometimes just moving the paint calms the nervous system. I’m sending you extra love and a gentle hug. Be easy with your beautiful self! 💗💗💐🙏🏼

[justaprogressive]

60. If the Melatonin doesn't help..

You could get some generic Benadryl (Diphenhydramine), it's cheap. A side effect of the antihistamine
is it makes you sleepy...don't use to excess tho'

Ret. nurse