Sitting at work rn on break and having a rough one. Since lockdown has started, it feels like all I do is wake up for class, go to work, then sleep. I truly feel like I am not existing for myself, and I have never felt more alienated from the people and things I love. I try to play music to produce something just for myself, and that helps, but I always have the crushing dread of knowing what a horrible oppressive system we live in. My tiny Canadian city had an antimask rally today and I honestly think that was the final straw for my hopefulness. I just feel like all I'm allowed to do in this world is be a consumer , everyone seems to suck and despite me being typically optimistic, I truly think we may be helpless now.

  • sailorfish [she/her]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Crocheting and sewing. Creating little things by hand instead of having to buy them. I crocheted myself a little pouch for my phone to attach to my hiking backpack. And felt so absolutely relieved that I didn't have to go on Amazon and buy a Protective Bag For Samsung Galaxy s6/7/8 Or iPhone 5/6/7 Attachable To 20 Types Of Backpacks Available In 5 Colours. I think that's part of the reason the DIY and crafting movements are growing - people wanting to feel less like consumers and get back some older skills.

    • superlinc [none/use name]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      I am extremely into DIY music for a very similar reason, but maybe I should learn a new skill.

  • superlinc [none/use name]
    hexagon
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    edit-2
    4 years ago

    Hey everybody, things maybe aren't so bad. My coworkers at literal capitalist hell fast food restaurant drafted a petition to replace our horrible manager with the cool manager everyone likes. Maybe things do get better

  • Bread_In_Baltimore [he/him]
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    4 years ago

    Be a lazy worker unless helping your fellow workers, stealing time at work, generally getting away with as much as possible without getting fired

    • Bread_In_Baltimore [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      I unironically think about you a lot because you live the life that I wish I could live, even if it isn't perfect.

      • coeliacmccarthy [he/him]
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        edit-2
        4 years ago

        being able to sort of escape the mode of production is pretty neat but you have to hate living in the world so much that you're willing to shorten your life expectancy to do so. i am

        • Bread_In_Baltimore [he/him]
          ·
          4 years ago

          I mean I already shorten my life expectancy via cigarettes and alcohol exactly because I'm alienated from my labor. Not to mention all the disgusting processed/fast food I eat because i don't have time to cook real meals because I have to drive to Virginia or wherever at 5am to work 12 hours

  • Gay_Wrath [fae/faer]
    ·
    4 years ago

    steal time from work as much as possible, and do non-productive things most of the day. Monkee brain like relaxation time and make crafts

  • PermaculturalMarxist [they/them]
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    4 years ago

    Being a member of an org is kind of invaluable to me. It means having a lot less free time and sometimes being exhausted but that is my connection to likeminded people in real life and the international struggle. Without it I would just feel incredibly restless and prone to bouts of doomerism.

  • WhatAnOddUsername [any]
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    edit-2
    4 years ago

    Masturbation. I'm only half-joking. It's free, harmless, makes me feel good for a little bit, doesn't take too much time as long as I only do it once a day, and reminds me that I have a physical body capable of feeling pleasure without directly participating in the marketplace (I don't look at porn when I masturbate, and I suspect it would make me feel a bit more like a consumer "cog in the machine" if I did.)

    If you have someone in your life who will have sex with you, I suspect that would work too. But I have to work with what I have.

        • superlinc [none/use name]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          I feel the same way playing guitar or the drums. It's doing something just for me. That being said , I don't see the composition of music as innately capitalist either . Writing tunes for me has always been a great escape from the horrible real world.

  • Adventurejane [none/use name,use name]
    ·
    4 years ago

    Anti mask protest? ever consuming dystopia? MAN I'm just trying to grill over here! But in all seriousness take the fuckin grill pill, find a hobby find something to distract you from it all, something that makes you happy. For me its buying model trains, and playing video games. I just enjoy having cool trains, just bought a Budd Metroliner model, my favorite Amtrak train. I don't even have a layout yet, I just think they're cool. And as for games, they are an EASY distraction from it all, just find a game you like and is fun to play. I got Fallout 76 on a sale and its pretty good now. Just make sure its a game that won't stress you out, like dark souls, a fun casual game you can just enjoy, like A Hat In Time, that games cute and fun as hell!

    But of course it doesn't have to be either of those things, it can be any hobby, just find something that brings you joy!

  • kristina [she/her]
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    edit-2
    4 years ago

    idk i go home and die a little every day, commodities dont feel suicidal