The Daily Effing Grind

[BryceC]

Ignore the news and politics. If it's truly important you'll hear it.

I exercise but I don't like it, so I'm not sure that is meaningful for everybody. I basically didn't work out during COVID and didn't miss it at all. I've worked out basically all year this year and I don't really feel any better or worse for it. I'm not a nature guy either, no desire and I don't really get anything out of strolling in the woods.

I am energized by people so I like being around people. I like to compete but don't really care if I win at this point if that makes sense. I love games. So I like coaching and running around to things. I don't like being bored.

My wife is the opposite - she needs alone time and goes crazy without it.

My point is it sounds like you're in a rut and you need to find what's meaningful to you. I don't think anybody can answer that question for you.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all of time:

The truth is that the heroism of your childhood entertainments was not true valor. It was theatre. The grand gesture, the moment of choice, the mortal danger, the external foe, the climactic battle whose outcome resolves all--all designed to appear heroic, to excite and gratify an audience. Gentlemen, welcome to the world of reality--there is no audience. No one to applaud, to admire. No one to see you. Do you understand? Here is the truth--actual heroism receives no ovation, entertains no one. No one queues up to see it. No one is interested. -David Foster Wallace

 

[Cyclonepride]

Do you ever just get tired...I don't mean like you need sleep, but the constant drone of everything...

media, politics, kids, parents, school, sports, work, people, pets, house, bills...I mean, FFS, it's just God damn exhausting

what does everyone do to kick this **** to the curb and feel no weight...I'm curious.

I only allow myself to focus on one issue at a time, because that's all I can deal with anyway.

When I have decided how to proceed with an issue, I forget about it, as I have done all I can up to that point.

I will not listen to, watch or read anything in mainstream media (without seeking context).

At the end of the day, I play a video game (literally going to another world for a while), drink two beers (I'm old, and that's all it takes to make me sleepy) and then go to bed and read a book until I drop the Kindle on my face.

 

[Clonefan32]

This. It's amazing what an hour of aerobic activity will do for your demeanor. It makes a big difference.

I have started in the last few months playing basketball over my lunch hour and I'm amazed by what it does to my psyche. My nights are pretty well spoken for, and I struggle to wake up early and exercise. But I love having my day broken up by some activity over lunch.

 

[CycloneErik]

I just make time for stuff I enjoy. I'm in a spot where there are no days off and rarely hours off, so it just comes down to putting stuff away, doing small things, or whatever.

 

[Yaz]

Cycling. Recently started doing free weights and core so I am stronger on gravel. I stopped watching the news 1 year ago and FB is going away....tired of the ******* negativity via FB.

 

[madguy30]

I'm a big fan of:

--consistent schedule if possible or at least something consistent within the day, even if it's getting out of bed at the same time.

--doing things that are nearly impossible to do quickly, like a walk or hike, paddling, biking, yoga etc.

--focusing on improving health seems to help too but doing so for something that works internally.

 

[Gossamer]

Let me be clear...I got nothing wrong...not in a bad spot...but let's be honest, it's a busy world when you work, have kids...you know, responsibilities....

what I would give to have my apartment back in Ames, go to the bar, work a couple of shifts waiting tables and my only worry was if I had enough money to pay rent/buy beer an cheap bourbon. I mean, it would be nice for a few days anyway.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

The answer is fix society and it's norms. Not that hard considering we determine them. Stop telling people working 40 hours a week is lazy. Stop pushing people to work weekends and holidays just to get a little ahead. Stop forcing people to pick between healthcare and their job. Stop proliferating lies on social media. Stop engaging with negativity to reinforce it's hold over social awareness. That's the philosophical answer.

What you complain of is the very thing that has made me depressed for the better part of my life. Nature is about the only thing that helps me, that and weed.

 

[Cyched]

I don’t really schedule this, but taking some time to just decompress helps. Can be reading, games on the iPad, Netflix, etc.

Also pick an exercise you can do regularly. Can be running, cycling, weights, classes, etc. Even walking is good. Will do wonders for stress levels & clearing your head

 

[madguy30]

Imo decluttering is helpful too.

Living within needs and allowing an empty space to be an empty space.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

anyone else burnt out of drinking at home???

 

[RealisticCy]

Do you ever just get tired...I don't mean like you need sleep, but the constant drone of everything...

media, politics, kids, parents, school, sports, work, people, pets, house, bills...I mean, FFS, it's just God damn exhausting

what does everyone do to kick this **** to the curb and feel no weight...I'm curious.

Simplify your life; less quantity, more quality

Be direct and honest with people, it's much more efficient.

Don't worry one iota about what anyone else thinks about you, and don't do things just because you think it's expected.

Find a few people that you like to be around and develop a reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationship with them.

Find a way to completely detach from the world from time to time.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

This.

I go on a Nature walk every Saturday from 5 am - 8 am.
I stay away from crowded paths and go to Ledges State park.

I'd love to be able to do this. I have a problem where I stay up too late, like 11-12, and never want to wake up before 6:30 when the kid-alarm clock goes off.

 

[cyclone4L]

I'd love to be able to do this. I have a problem where I stay up too late, like 11-12, and never want to wake up before 6:30 when the kid-alarm clock goes off.

Go to bed early then

 

[amishclone]

Buy a smoker and burn some pig!

 

[cyrocksmypants]

Try out a high end hooker and see what kind of difference that makes for you.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Do you ever just get tired...I don't mean like you need sleep, but the constant drone of everything...

media, politics, kids, parents, school, sports, work, people, pets, house, bills...I mean, FFS, it's just God damn exhausting

what does everyone do to kick this **** to the curb and feel no weight...I'm curious.

Yesterday and Monday, yes, 100%.

Today, better, the fact that it's actually sunny and looking nice outside and not cloudy, overcast, rainy, gloomy, icky helps a lot. I think I am solar powered.

 

[cyfan92]

Go for a walk outside to start your day. It's low impact exercise and I love to listen to podcasts that challenge my brain or are cyclone sports..

I've completely turned off cable news and it's amazing how little I miss it.

Keep one vise bit find a way to moderate yourself. I only check twitter when I crap or after the little guy goes to sleep.

 

[Clonefan32]

Travis Hines posted this article a week or so ago and I thought it was spot on:

Feeling Blah During the Pandemic? It's Called Languishing - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

I though it was pretty dead on. Covid has definitely not help escape that monotonous "blah" feeling that you can get. One thing I'm also trying to do is schedule trips. Some with the kids, some without. Not only the trip, but the excitement and lead up does a great deal for a positive attitude.

 

[cyfan92]

Sex is great therapy if you have a willing partner.

Going for a slow drive to nowhere is also a blast. If you haven't been to Ames to see the performance center. Go drive there. It'll blow your mind how big it is