4 Ways To Cope When You’re Tired of Existing In 2020

Summary

The article "4 Ways To Cope When You’re Tired of Existing In 2020" offers strategies to manage the stress and fatigue of living through a challenging year.

Abstract

In the midst of a global pandemic, economic downturn, social unrest, and environmental concerns, the year 2020 has been particularly trying for many individuals. Bre, a part-time writer from Orlando, shares four coping mechanisms to help navigate the relentless existential dread. These include engaging in therapeutic scribbling, taking restorative naps, conversing with animals for emotional support, and finding solace in productivity through tasks like cleaning. The article emphasizes the importance of catharsis and self-care during tumultuous times, encouraging readers to find what works best for them and to share their own coping strategies.

Opinions

The author believes that scribbling can be a form of emotional release, suggesting it as a method to vent pent-up frustration and rage.
Napping is seen as a beneficial way to temporarily escape problems, with the potential to return to them with renewed energy or a fresh perspective.
Animals are considered inherently comforting and their simplicity and predictability are preferable to human complexities.
Productivity, such as cleaning, is recommended as a distraction from larger, more daunting tasks, providing a sense of accomplishment and control.
The author admits to suffering from executive dysfunction, implying that small, manageable tasks can help overcome the inability to start larger projects.
There is an open invitation for readers to contribute their own coping methods, suggesting a community-oriented approach to managing mental health.

Them: “What’s wrong?” Me: *gestures vaguely to everything*

It is a fact universally acknowledged that everything in the year 2020 is objectively the worst. The economy is a mess, there are no jobs, white people are cool with just being blatantly racist instead of trying to be coy about it, we can’t leave our houses, and also climate change is still a thing. Literally everything is exhausting, and sometimes you lose the ability to deal. So, in light of all of that, I’ve found four excellent ways of coping with the constant existential dread that many of us have been swimming through for the past 7 months or so. Hopefully, at least one of these works for you as well.

1. Scribble.

No, I don’t mean draw. No, I don’t mean write. I mean take a piece of paper, the writing implement of your choice, and just go to town. Wreck that shit. Make your 2 year old niece’s art look like amateur hour. Hell, get a cheap notebook and just dedicate it to rage scribbling if you need to. Scribble with a bunch of crayons if the colors make you feel better. Go multimedia with it. Mix in markers or paint or ink or whatever you want. Scribble on wood or canvas or an old t-shirt if you’d like. Seriously, this technique works absolute wonders, especially if you’re hoping to then go on to create something that’s actually legible. Emotional vomit can be very cathartic, and goodness knows I’ve got a lot of pent up rage right now.

2. Nap.

Napping solves almost no problems, but it does push them off until later, and sometimes that’s all you need. Let your brain shut down for an hour or two if you need it. When you wake up, you’ll either be refreshed and ready to face whatever nonsense you’re putting off, the nonsense will magically disappear, or nothing will change at all and you’re no worse off than you were a few hours ago, except now you’ve had a nap. Never underestimate the power of a good nap.

3. Talk to Animals.

It’s a proven fact that animals are by and large better than people. Animal nonsense is logical and easy to deal with, and also probably way less horrifying than any human nonsense you’ve had to deal with today. So get in touch with your inner Disney Princess, go hang out with your cat, tell them your problems, and you’ll definitely feel better. Don’t have a cat? Talk to any animal you have handy. Dogs, rabbits, goldfish, hamsters, any of these will do just fine. If you don’t have a pet at all, step out into your backyard and see what’s around. I’ve always got a handful of lizards scurrying around my patio right now — one of the very few perks of living in Florida — but perhaps you’ve got a squirrel or a sparrow or something hanging out nearby. All animals are good animals, that’s just science.

4. Do Something Productive I Guess?

Okay if none of the above tactics are helping, you can always just do something productive. I’m a very big proponent of procrasti-cleaning myself. It’s great because you can always justify having a clean kitchen, or bathroom, or whatever, so really who can fault you for ignoring them when you have Important Real Things to do instead? No one, that’s who. So, if you’re tired of people, go scrub your toilet. That way, you can avoid society AND have a clean toilet! It’s a win-win, really. I personally suffer from extreme bouts of executive dysfunction, so if there’s a task that you need to complete but it just seems too big, find another task that seems manageable! Doing a load of laundry seems like too much? Empty the dishwasher instead! Can’t bring yourself to vacuum the living room? Tell the carpet to wait and take out the trash!

I know, 2020 is not the best year for mental wellness. Even waking up seems daunting some days. These are just four ways that I’ve been trying to cope with the stress of every day life while living through a pandemic. If you have any that have helped you, let me know in the comments!

Bre is a part-time writer with a day job in the fitness industry. She is based in Orlando, FL along with her handsome fella and two cats. She enjoys writing about social issues, politics, spirituality, mental health, gaming, and, every so often, fiction. She’s still working on her personal website, but you can find her anytime on Twitter or Instagram.