Scripting for upcoming upset: next two weeks.

[oak]

While I hope I'm wrong, I can see considerable upset in the next two weeks. In addition to the national tension, I've noticed the older/crabbier people in my small town getting a bit crabbier.

I don't want any part of that aggression, for two reasons:

1. I have enough negativity in my life, and can't afford to get offended from someone else.

2. I have dreams and aspirations that will take all my energy. Specifically:

a. Conducting a job search
b. Going for my higher-grade orange belts
c. Enjoying carnitas tacos most days
d. Improving my job prospects by resuming teaching myself code/web, which is a love/hate relationship

A job search is a personal crisis, even in the best of times, and these are not the best of times. That is reason enough to not engage: none of these people will get me closer to these fine goals.

Though it can be tempting and easy to respond to, or get mad about an old crab, here are phrases I can have ready should some stranger start to talk negatively to me:

"I can't help you with that."
"I don't know."
"Don't come any closer."
"I have to go."

(btw I've had to say each of the above to troubled people who have accosted me.)

My main goal is to always walk away from aggression, so I can arrive home and enjoy my carnitas and pico de gallo. Nothing out there is worth the pico.

I'll let you know how I do!

[rivergirl]

This sounds like a great plan, Oak.

You don't know what kind of background people have, or what trauma or pain they may be dealing with, but you have the right to protect yourself first and maintain your personal space in this time of pandemic.

It's good that you have a personal goal in addition to your job search goal, and that you included a bit of a reward for yourself as well (carnitas & pico).

Keep us posted.

[brownblob]

If someone says something about the election I normally just tell people I don't really follow politics but other good replies are "When is that anyway?" or "Who's running this year?" I find acting stupid and disinterested turns angry people off.

[snoringdog]

Hello Brownblob,

Your post made me laugh out loud! Thanks for that.

Hope you're OK.

SD

[oak]

Very true, SnoringDog: Brownblob has it right when dealing with people acting in bad faith.

Update!

1. I've chosen to firmly create boundaries in the last week with two acquaintances who who pushed the limits of what they could ask of me.

2. I've not run into any troubled/deranged/angry people IRL since first posting here, though I've of course been staying in mostly.

3. With all the upset and violence I am certainly over the national news. It is like a virus of anger. I better not say any more, but I've seen the virus of anger in people, especially older people. I've already said too much (but feel free to read between the lines).

So, friends, I'll minimize my time out IRL this week, and if I do go out, I remember that I am not there to argue with troubled souls.

Thanks for listening!

[Beany Boo]

Oak,

Do not doomscroll.

[oak]

Word!

I’m doing well with it, and I hope you are too.

[Beany Boo]

It feels presumptuous to have written that apropos of nothing but it occurred to me that that might have been preoccupying you at the time. It’s reasonable that it would be. I’m glad you’re managing.

[rivergirl]

I'm glad you're safe and doing okay with doomscrolling, Oak. I hope this is a good week for you.

[oak]

Thanks friends!

While my doomscrolling remains low and my hope for the future remains high (details soon!), I am deeply sorrowed to see that passions are getting inflamed nationally.

For some time I’ve considered it 50-50 that society will be shut dow again due to covid (and I have on excellent authority that things are already really bad in the hospitals). That I can deal with: no in-person tae Kwan do and avoid the coffee shop are very reasonable actions I would immediately embrace.

But to face the social (or worse, asocial violence) of unrest really exhausts me. Just the thought of it.

So my plan, FWIW, is to focus on my mid-term future: six to twelve months out. There is excellent hope for an effective vaccine, and when society reopens for real, I want to be ready. I want to see this future.