Aura V. @auravulpes@computerfairi.es

To be fair, I've not done *anything* to resist Trump due to overriding mental issues and a lack of information on options, so maybe I'm not someone you should listen to, especially when it comes to what we should do if Trump wins in 2020...

The US 2020 election is pretty much the last hope at this point. If Bernie gets in (or, hell, at this point I'll take Biden), things aren't all bleak, especially if Dems can win a majority in both houses. If Trump gets reelected, particularly if the Dems also lose their majority in the House and fail to take the Senate, it's time to replace the milkshakes with far more...lethal...projectiles

P.P.S. I also left out some of the obvious self-care tips. Make sure you're eating well, drinking enough water, are taking your meds and taking them *consistently*. The absolute basics. *Definitely* make sure you're doing those.

P.S. And, yes, of course we need to dismantle all these oppressive systems. But you can't do that if you're stressed out, burned out, worn out. You can't fight if you're in bad shape. You'll get knocked out the moment the fight starts. You need to keep yourself in shape if you want to have any chance of getting through this, much less winning. So keep yourself well taken care of, so you can better care for others.

And remember:
You can't help others until you care for yourself. If you're burned out and worn thin, how are you supposed to help anyone else? It's okay to take some time to focus on caring for yourself. It's necessary, even.

And remember, through this all, I still love you and I want you to be well. Things may look grim, but we can get through this, one step at a time.

Love,
Kat 💗

Something else that may help you is journaling. You might grab a spare spiral notebook, or just create a folder on your desktop or in your documents, where you can just write down thoughts. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. It can literally just be a text file where you ramble on about whatever's on your mind. That's okay, as long as it helps you.

Recognize your limits. Sometimes, you need to push limits to improve yourself. Other times, you need to back off from a limit to avoid harm. If you're getting too close to reaching a limit, don't be afraid to do what it takes to back away from it.

Try to relax. You won't be thinking as clearly if you're constantly tense. Relax so your brain can work better to figure out what's next. Take a hot bath, or a stroll. Get a hobby you enjoy.

Try not to be too hard on yourself. A large chunk of the world is being hard enough on you. Don't give yourself extra negativity to shoulder. I know it can be hard, but try to look at your good side. Though you may not believe it, you have one. The world may be a bad place, but you aren't a bad person in it. Try to believe that.

Try to do something at least once a week that's just for you, even if it's just taking a walk in the park.

That last part includes using stimulants to make up for your lack of sleep. Obviously, stimulants you've been prescribed are okay, but try not to rely on caffeine to replace sleep.

If you have a support system you can talk to, use it. If you don't, I can't really offer advice on getting one, but you should do your best to do so. If all else fails, there are plenty of people on the fediverse willing to help and support you, including me.

Try to keep exercising. Even if it's just some pushups and jumping jacks when you wake up in the morning. Keep something going.

Make sure you're getting enough sleep. Everyone has a different amount of sleep they need, but if you're getting less than 7 hours a night, you probably need to be getting more.

If you can at all avoid it, don't use drugs or alcohol to *cope*. I know it can be hard, but at least try.

I'm not gonna lie. I cried writing that last post. Just earlier, I was getting depressed over the future of this planet, and now to see all you beautiful people in the UK have to deal with the nightmare of an overwhelming tory majority? The prospect of a world where we can all truly be happy just seems to be getting further and further away...

Hi. It's me, Kat. Things look grim, don't they? I'm not gonna lie, things are looking really bad for y'all over there. But, please, please, please don't give up. I can't give you much advice, but please. Keep taking care of yourselves, try to hold off the depression, regroup, and figure out what's next. If you at all can, please keep fighting. Fight for your neighbors who can't. And that starts with taking care of yourself.

I love you. Please keep going.

Kat 💗