It's definitely the money. I had money once, and it was similar. It also makes me wonder what it's like for the oligarchs -- for us, some money is like breaking the sound barrier and feeling the calm after all the buffeting and commotion of getting there. For the oligarchs I imagine it's like the end of 2001 A space odyssey. Anyway, enjoy.
Sounds like you have hit the acceptance phase of greif over the election. I too am past the point of caring and am comfortably numb, but I don't like it because its too close to feeling depressed.
Perhaps "it's the economy, stupid" affected your disposition. You have a job you like, you do well at it, and feel more secure with the renewed HIGNFY paychecks. This may have opened your mind to the peace of all you describe here.
Financial uncertainty in any degree can squeeze our thinking. I always feel more open to life when the reports on "my vast wealth" (eye roll) look good. Of course, also good health, loving family, and friends. (I have stopped reading about what you-know-who has planned for all that.)
This is funny, because I've been listening to music a lot more, since the election. I can play moldy oldies that a lot of people listened to in the 1970s and 80s, and just not think about how the world is going to explode--or worse, it isn't going to, after all.
Alot of what you wrote resonates with my experiences. I am a recent empty nester entering the front end of the final 3rd re of my life. What I got out of it is acceptance, being present, and embracing impermanence. The exception being that I am not in a job I love but due to age there aren't many options available to me. I have to ride out the next 5-6 years hopefully.
Okay, one, huge difference between dysthymia and depression, and also, sensory overload of the technical social media madness that has become our dystopian daymare. Shared here for anyone who may have never heard of dysthymia or may be considering that some burn-out phases may indeed be the spectrum of nuero-diversity that wasn’t diagnosed or med-respondent to like millions of Gen X and Xennials.
2) Billie Eillish is purely amazing, and the product of really good and smart fame-adjacent parents. Her and her brother’s documentary on Apple TV+ was one of those brilliant lights in the deep winters of La ‘Rona. Her newest album is gonna have to battle against Tyler’s, K-Dot and Doechii! (< check out her Colbert and Tiny Desk performances from this past week on YT!)
3) you’s a writer. You need long walks and the sounds of mental silence. The Balance app on iPhone has really helped with meditation, but I find the best mediations I have are in music-less long showers or walking (preferably away from foot or road traffic) to instrumental music like lofi, chillhop and good ol’ classical. Listening to classical while a pedestrian in a city is pretty damn epic, especially if you play it from the speaker. It soothes the savage beasts.
Fourthly and I will shuddup after this, early December are the darkest nights of the year, before the Solstice. Embrace the cold and dark or barren field of which you have sown your fucks. Now is the time to peer into the hibernation hole, sleep long, eat deeply and worry about nothing but merry and light for those you most belove, even if they aren’t on this plane anymore.
Happy Holidaze, Michael and assorted cool-as-fuck fam that merry meets here. 💜❄️💜❄️💜
It's definitely the money. I had money once, and it was similar. It also makes me wonder what it's like for the oligarchs -- for us, some money is like breaking the sound barrier and feeling the calm after all the buffeting and commotion of getting there. For the oligarchs I imagine it's like the end of 2001 A space odyssey. Anyway, enjoy.
Thanks for sharing. These journal-like posts are my favorite of yours
Music it is - I’ll try anything to shut off the constant bombardment of thoughts for a few minutes. (He Got Game is fucking awesome)
Sounds like you have hit the acceptance phase of greif over the election. I too am past the point of caring and am comfortably numb, but I don't like it because its too close to feeling depressed.
Perhaps "it's the economy, stupid" affected your disposition. You have a job you like, you do well at it, and feel more secure with the renewed HIGNFY paychecks. This may have opened your mind to the peace of all you describe here.
Financial uncertainty in any degree can squeeze our thinking. I always feel more open to life when the reports on "my vast wealth" (eye roll) look good. Of course, also good health, loving family, and friends. (I have stopped reading about what you-know-who has planned for all that.)
Thank you for this, Michael. I am feeling you, bro.
You ahhh....you don't have to acknowledge or recognize the stillness. You don't have to do anything.
That's why it's stillness :)
💯🦥
As a wise man once said:
"Sometimes I sits and thinks. Other times I just sits."
Same
Jealous. :)
This is funny, because I've been listening to music a lot more, since the election. I can play moldy oldies that a lot of people listened to in the 1970s and 80s, and just not think about how the world is going to explode--or worse, it isn't going to, after all.
Listening to "Eve of Destruction" and realizing we are somehow still here, is oddly reassuring.
Yes, enjoy and absorb the quietude as long as it lasts. What you’re experiencing is healthy and will fortify you.
Alot of what you wrote resonates with my experiences. I am a recent empty nester entering the front end of the final 3rd re of my life. What I got out of it is acceptance, being present, and embracing impermanence. The exception being that I am not in a job I love but due to age there aren't many options available to me. I have to ride out the next 5-6 years hopefully.
The peace in which to nurture yourself before the chaos starts. Nurture yourself well, my friend.
Okay, one, huge difference between dysthymia and depression, and also, sensory overload of the technical social media madness that has become our dystopian daymare. Shared here for anyone who may have never heard of dysthymia or may be considering that some burn-out phases may indeed be the spectrum of nuero-diversity that wasn’t diagnosed or med-respondent to like millions of Gen X and Xennials.
2) Billie Eillish is purely amazing, and the product of really good and smart fame-adjacent parents. Her and her brother’s documentary on Apple TV+ was one of those brilliant lights in the deep winters of La ‘Rona. Her newest album is gonna have to battle against Tyler’s, K-Dot and Doechii! (< check out her Colbert and Tiny Desk performances from this past week on YT!)
3) you’s a writer. You need long walks and the sounds of mental silence. The Balance app on iPhone has really helped with meditation, but I find the best mediations I have are in music-less long showers or walking (preferably away from foot or road traffic) to instrumental music like lofi, chillhop and good ol’ classical. Listening to classical while a pedestrian in a city is pretty damn epic, especially if you play it from the speaker. It soothes the savage beasts.
Fourthly and I will shuddup after this, early December are the darkest nights of the year, before the Solstice. Embrace the cold and dark or barren field of which you have sown your fucks. Now is the time to peer into the hibernation hole, sleep long, eat deeply and worry about nothing but merry and light for those you most belove, even if they aren’t on this plane anymore.
Happy Holidaze, Michael and assorted cool-as-fuck fam that merry meets here. 💜❄️💜❄️💜