Feeling Gaslighted By The Entire World
I wake up every single day scared of getting sick or getting those around me sick and losing absolutely everything. And it makes me wonder why it seems as if everyone else is going about their lives as if this pandemic we are living in isn't real.
Thousands of people are dying every single day and all that's being asked to do is to be considerate. Some people think it's too big of an ask to care enough to protect other people from dying.
The numbers are only getting worse as the days go on and it's sickening that the thought of thousands of people dying every day leaves some people unbothered.
It feels as if I'm the only person living in the reality that fully understands what's happening. All the while anytime I go on social media I'm getting laughed at by others who are vacationing, going to weddings, or going out to bars & restaurants without a single care in the world.
This constantly being safe and protecting everyone around me from getting sick is exhausting and feels as if it's for nothing. It messes with my mind how someone can do everything they're supposed to, but somehow tragedy can still strike.
It feels unfair that I have to be overly responsible while others don't have to spend a second of their day thinking about how their actions can affect other people. I am physically, emotionally, mentally drained from the constant trying to stay calm, cool, safe, and aware of everything happening while it's as if no one else is doing the same.
All this anger bubbles inside of me when I think about it and sometimes I can feel it consume me entirely. And I know that there's a line where anger can be useful and where it isn't, but gun to my head I wouldn't be able to tell you where that line is.
And maybe those of us, myself included that care so deeply about what is happening is because we all have way too much to lose. One fell swoop and I lose every single thing that I've ever known, and that is the one thing I'm not willing to risk.
Maybe one day all the pain and sacrifices being made during these hard times will mean something and be a distant memory. As for now, I'll keep telling myself all of this isn't for nothing although it feels as it is.
Opinions and Perspectives
I feel this so deeply. The mental exhaustion of being constantly vigilant while others seem completely disconnected from reality is overwhelming.
While I understand the fear, we can't live in perpetual panic. I've found ways to safely socialize and maintain some normalcy while following guidelines.
The part about feeling gaslighted really hits home. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the crazy one for still being cautious when everyone else seems to have moved on.
This article perfectly captures my daily struggle. I've lost friends over disagreements about safety measures.
Your anger is valid, but letting it consume you isn't healthy. We need to find balance between staying safe and maintaining our mental wellbeing.
I actually disagree with the overall tone here. Yes, we should be careful, but the fear-mongering needs to stop. Life must go on.
The line about having too much to lose really resonates with me. I have vulnerable family members and I couldn't live with myself if something happened to them because of my choices.
This piece beautifully articulates the frustration of watching others party while healthcare workers continue fighting this battle.
I've found myself withdrawing from social media because I can't handle seeing people acting like everything is normal.
The author's point about being physically and emotionally drained from constant vigilance is spot on. It's exhausting being the responsible one.
We need to acknowledge both perspectives here. Some people are being reckless, yes, but others are finding safe ways to maintain social connections.
I understand the sentiment, but living in constant fear isn't sustainable. We need to find ways to adapt while being mindful.
The metaphor about anger consuming you really struck a chord with me. I've had to work hard to channel that frustration into something productive.
As someone working in healthcare, I appreciate this article. The disconnect between what we see daily and how some people are behaving is mind-boggling.
I wonder if those posting vacation photos realize how their actions affect others or if they're just willfully ignorant.
The mental health impact of constant vigilance can't be understated. I've started therapy to deal with the anxiety.
There's definitely a middle ground between complete isolation and reckless behavior that we need to find as a society.
The author's dedication to protecting others is admirable, but we can't control everyone's actions. Focus on what you can control.