Post-Truth Politics and Coping Mechanisms

Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips

Brexit, Philippine Elections, US Elections, Marcos Burial...all have caused much ado. And the 2016 Oxford word of the year is aptly post-truth.  Whilst on the train, I had a surge of ideas about post-truth politics until I had to remind myself that I'm not a pundit of politics, law, legislation, and everything within that realm. Politicking also appears in everyday life particularly in workplace dynamics. I suppose I'm being slowly and subconsciously sucked into this milieu of suspicion and subterfuge--and I am relieved that there are people in my life who occasionally hit a gong/ throw a pie on my face/ hose me down/ tell me off and put me back into perspective. My father is one of those people. And he has a habit of citing his references--and I think I've imbibed that habit. The citing of references. Not the zen/objective/calm/optimistic disposition. 

To make light of things, I've decided to write about various coping mechanisms that I've developed in order to be resilient and still functional. Let's face it, emotions can make us less productive. Oh, but the desire for our emotions to be provoked is addictive--I think we all want to be immersed in one form of emotion or the other. I will enumerate, in random order, doable coping strategies in order to get by in spite of the hurly-burly of human existence:

1. Dip regular rippled potato chips in Nutella
2. Drink alcohol moderately--preferably (reasonably priced) red wine (for the antioxidants)
3. Put full fat cream on your coffee
4. Make a chocolate bar sandwich...as in put e.g. Nestle Crunch in between two slices of bread
5. Take a walk alone and find a spot where you can tunganga (or gawk) at nature
6. Have imaginary conversations in the shower
7. Watch a slapstick film or romantic comedy of your choice
8. Blog (harhar)
9. Run a bath (whenever applicable)
10. Do something mechanical: staple, shred paper, do some chores, etc.

Yes, I stuck to the wholesome coping mechanisms, friends. Go forth and do whatever shoots up your happy hormones as long as you "do wrong to none." You can choose to interpret or misinterpret these final statements--I had two glasses of Cabernet because it's a Friday.

Be real, be honest, don't deceive, love everyone, Merry Christmas---on December 25th.
Oh boy, this post felt good.

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I had to edit this post a few times, my clouded brain has made me incoherent.

perspectives and potato chips

 

Apparently, what I see matters. It matters in terms of how it affects my mental and emotional state. I'm sure it's the same with majority of folks. I always understood the pragmatism of a minimalist and clutter-free work environment, but there should always be that little piece of something whether a window, a framed picture, a work of art, a knick-knack, real/fake plant, etc. that I feel I should be able to glance at even for a few seconds so that I can have a brief respite. That probably applies to people whose occupations and vocations require constant mobility--a professional driver, hospital worker, door-to-door salesperson (not sure if I'm behind and whether salespeople are now working through online platforms), educator, field worker...maybe a small photo or token that reminds them of why they are doing what they do.

Apparently, what I feel matters. It matters in terms of how I am able to go through a day. And that I am entitled (I know the word "entitled" has become a negative term, but let's use its traditional positive version here) to little, invaluable joys. The photo above is of a tree that I see when I wake up in the morning and that I am staring at right this moment while I use my digital muscle memory to locate the letters on my keyboard (thanks to my high school typing class). I deliberately took a photo in that awkward angle.

My adrenaline levels have been on heightened alert for the past few months. I should be grateful for the ability to contribute to society and for being an independent and relatively healthy person. But I still acknowledge the small and large day-to-day challenges. I'm exhausted, to be frank. And again, I realize this powerful and accessible thing we all have which is "perspective". I had a conversation yesterday about the benefits of "reframing". The issues that I think are causing me anxiety; some are really "happy problems"--a term I learned from my late father and a term that I seem to overuse these days to spread motivation to others. Happy problems. 

Let's think about the things that are causing us various degrees of stress. What if something drastically unexpected happens (knock on wood)? For the sake of this exercise, let's say we broke a leg or became afflicted with something? What would be our knee-jerk reaction? Those things we are losing sleep about--would those still matter? No, right? Obviously, this is me talking to myself. 

Here's a photo of a lightly salted rippled potato chip with hazelnut spread and a can of generic sparkling water. Judge me all you want---these things make me happy! I just discovered sparkling water and I enjoy the glorious burps I unleash as a result. Unattractive yet liberating. Believe me when I say that this little snack made a positive impact in my mood. And since it's Friday, here's a little #flashbackfriday post for light reading which I called "Post-Truth Politics and Coping Mechanisms"...