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I was raised in repressive states in Latin America, and I had a lot of anxiety and depression that I thought was just normal until I came to college in the US.
Everyone is different, but I think I could have benefitted from the following advice: Defend yourself like a boxer against the ropes. Build up your strength and look for your moment. Always have a plan.
Luigi
To establish my surviving shitty states credentials: I grew up as a queer kid in the rural Bible Belt during the Clinton and Bush (both of them) years. The current environment may not be exactly the same, but IMO in many ways it’s very similar to the community I grew up in (extremely conservative, racist, and vindictive).
So, here are the things that kept me comparatively sane:
Watch subversive media, whatever that means to you. Being reminded that there is a wider world with people who aren’t like the ones surrounding you (whether it’s your family or wider community) is a powerful hope generator
Connect with similarly minded people in your local community, if you aren’t already. You might need to drive to a college town for this one, depending on your area. Having IRL connections with people who aren’t bastards will keep you sane
Find the joy you can, and make it when you can’t. If you don’t find things to be happy about it will seriously kill you. There’s always stuff to be miserable about, so don’t worry about overdoing it in the joy department
Do something you find meaningful. Volunteering, clean ups, whatever you feel drawn towards. Doesn’t even have to be anything official, like checking in on your loved ones
Get some healthy eating and exercise in when you can, too. If it doesn’t improve your mood it’ll at least let you sleep and poop better
Remember that no regime, no matter how strong it may appear is ever able to last forever. No democracy, no autocracy, no kingdom has managed to stand the test of time in absolute. Often all it takes is a few dozen people in the correct points to set the dominoes to fall
Also remember that most (if not all) times a regime falls, the common people suffer. Don't glorify the decay of a nation, but work to change it for the better.
Sadly, that is sometimes via regime fall.
Only downside is I don’t care about time immemorial, I’m more interested in time I’m alive and stuck in it.
Vote and move if it’s that bad, in that order.
don't. be angry. show your anger. let it out in productive, constructive ways to support those who can't
how so?
ftat if i'm tired already?
what I should do
There are always ways to resist, even in repressive environments. Sometimes it might not be as obvious or as heroic as what we might imagine. It might even be as simple as a nearly invisible act of non-compliance. But these things still matter. In extremely repressive countries, it’s often these small actions, when widespread, that can interfere with their power at key moments, even sometimes leading to the regime’s downfall.
We often imagine that the most effective resistance is some dramatic violent act. But real life isn’t a marvel movie. The most important axis of resistance isn’t how impactful your individual acts are, it’s how widespread and organized this resistance is.
We can’t give you specific advice because the most effective actions are specific to the context, and some forms of resistance that effective in some places may be too dangerous in others. But there are people in your country who have the answers. You just need to find them. In most countries they’re active resistance groups but if that’s not safe than any community orgs that aren’t actively supporting the regime and building independent power can be important. Finding them and supporting one another is the only solution to your problem. But be sure to find groups that respect you and your safety because some can be abusive or cult-like as well.
You’re tired because you’re alone. Many of us feel this way, but the support of allies is what will energize you and find you a productive and safe outlet for your anger. Because you should be angry. We should all be angry. Shit is fucked everywhere.
Keep in mind, there are issues in life that come without any solution. Usually you either fight something... Or get used to the situation and make ends meet somehow... If you're out of energy, it's going to be the latter. Or you find a way to flee and go somewhere else, away.
There are a few articles written directly after Trump got elected, telling you how to manage your anxiety etc. I always recommend stoicism if you can't change how things are. Theoretically you should at least try to change things to your liking.
There are so many negative emotions and comments here.
You are in a weak position, so yes that means you have to work harder.
Elon has money. You don’t have that kind or money to buy influence. so effort and time ; organize, vote, and get out the vote.
And yes. If needed have a plan. Are you a woman or have one in your life? Order Plan C Do you have family out of state or country? See about moving there.
And don’t give up. Fight the whole way. And
Nolite Te Bastardes Carborundorum!
Find little pockets of people with similar views and contribute.
save your money and GTFO
Let the anger out, and fear no more.
Don't contain it. Redirect it.
What repressive state ?
Nice try Republican Government.
