Coping Mechanisms

We’re coping with a strange balancing act right now.

On one hand, the news cycle continues to deliver a steady stream of anxiety, frustration, and outrage. On the other hand, life keeps happening. Summer arrives. Festivals pop up. Families gather. Dessert appears. The sun finally comes out in Berkeley around 1:30 PM.

This week on A Couple Thinks, we talk about how we’re trying to navigate that tension without either becoming numb to what’s happening in the country or completely consumed by it.

We discuss:

* the idea of “hedonic adaptation” and how humans return to emotional baseline

* the challenge of staying informed without staying traumatized

* guilt, helplessness, and figuring out what we actually can control

* why joy and rest are not the same thing as disengagement

* summer bucket lists, local adventures, and food festivals as battery recharging strategies

* postcards, voter registration, and preparing for the midterms without burning ourselves out

Plus:Greek festival recap, loukoumades discourse, weather complaints, Monster Truck Jam memories, and an alarming number of festival recommendations.

Sometimes surviving difficult times means protesting.Sometimes it means organizing.And sometimes it means eating fried dough with Nutella while listening to live music in Oakland.

We think all three can coexist.

Resources we mention:

If you’re looking for ways to stay engaged without burning yourself out, here are a few of the organizations and tools we mentioned during the episode:

* Postcards to VotersWrite handwritten postcards to encourage voter participation in key races and districts.

* Oath.vote (founded by Brian Derrick)Helps identify strategic races and opportunities for donations, volunteering, and organizing.

* 5 CallsMakes it easy to contact your elected officials about current issues with scripts and phone numbers.

* A Couple Thinks SurveyShare topic ideas, feedback, and questions for future episodes.

* We always love hearing your ideas, thoughts, and local recommendations.

And as always: shop small and local when you can, support community organizations, and remember to recharge your batteries along the way.