Last year I started to really worry about my job and about the money I'd saved up for retirement. I'll retire in about 10 years. I assumed the economy was going to crash and I'd be totally fucked. I was convinced we were headed for a second great depression. But I ended up shocked at how well the economy (and me) did.
At my peak last year I started to drink a lot. I got scared I was headed for alcoholism but my thinking then was "Fuck it - what does it matter? I'm a happy drunk and at least I feel amazing when I'm drinking." But I didn't actually feel amazing. I still felt dread.
To save money - whenever I could - bought a bunch of bottles of the cheapest Trader Joe's brands of bourbon or whiskey. I didn't keep track but at times I was surely drinking a bottle a week. I don't have an addictive personality but I realized that I very easily (and very quickly) succumb to temptation. And I didn't do myself any favors by having all that booze around.
Starting in March I got strict with myself. I've been keeping track and I cut down to one bottle every two weeks. It disturbed me how much I missed the booze. The middle of last month - I ran out. I bought and drank some beer but haven't bought any of the hard stuff. I'm in the process of deciding how much I will allow myself to drink. A bottle every 3 weeks is probably best. In any case - when I go grocery shopping - it'll be one of two things. One bottle. Or no bottles.
If I have to spend more because TJ's is out of the cheap stuff - so be it. More expensive Irish whiskey it is. I'm super-cheap but I only have one liver and one body. Also I can't have more than one bottle around. Next year will likely be a true horrorshow for America. December 10th will probably be the death knell for American democracy. If the dems haven't killed the filibuster and passed voting laws by then - we're fucked. But such is life. I have to focus on my own well-being. And not my own escapism.
we’re all going to fucking die of climate change
I wish I had helpful and hopeful news. But I don't and I can't lie to you. The future looks black as soot to me too. You just have to soldier on, entertain yourself, and laugh as much as you can.
Last year I started to really worry about my job and about the money I'd saved up for retirement. I'll retire in about 10 years. I assumed the economy was going to crash and I'd be totally fucked. I was convinced we were headed for a second great depression. But I ended up shocked at how well the economy (and me) did.
At my peak last year I started to drink a lot. I got scared I was headed for alcoholism but my thinking then was "Fuck it - what does it matter? I'm a happy drunk and at least I feel amazing when I'm drinking." But I didn't actually feel amazing. I still felt dread.
To save money - whenever I could - bought a bunch of bottles of the cheapest Trader Joe's brands of bourbon or whiskey. I didn't keep track but at times I was surely drinking a bottle a week. I don't have an addictive personality but I realized that I very easily (and very quickly) succumb to temptation. And I didn't do myself any favors by having all that booze around.
Starting in March I got strict with myself. I've been keeping track and I cut down to one bottle every two weeks. It disturbed me how much I missed the booze. The middle of last month - I ran out. I bought and drank some beer but haven't bought any of the hard stuff. I'm in the process of deciding how much I will allow myself to drink. A bottle every 3 weeks is probably best. In any case - when I go grocery shopping - it'll be one of two things. One bottle. Or no bottles.
If I have to spend more because TJ's is out of the cheap stuff - so be it. More expensive Irish whiskey it is. I'm super-cheap but I only have one liver and one body. Also I can't have more than one bottle around. Next year will likely be a true horrorshow for America. December 10th will probably be the death knell for American democracy. If the dems haven't killed the filibuster and passed voting laws by then - we're fucked. But such is life. I have to focus on my own well-being. And not my own escapism.
I wish I had helpful and hopeful news. But I don't and I can't lie to you. The future looks black as soot to me too. You just have to soldier on, entertain yourself, and laugh as much as you can.