Just casually preparing for the apocalypse… anyone else? 😅

@FridgeMagnet I hear ya. Sorry your nice holiday plans went south.

I also feel ott (over the top) anxious because *gestures at everything you did*.as well.

I have restricted my own news & socials access. I'm reading books again. I put down fb on 27 nov last year and posted again for the first time just yesterday to share about my upcoming surgery.

I have stockpiled toilet paper. 😗 but that is my only nod to the bunker mentality.

Do you watch tv or read? What genres do you like? Could you do a staycation where you are with a few day outings, fav meals and movies?

Moongal🌙

Hello @FridgeMagnet!

Firstly, this post is brilliant. 😂

5 stars for authenticity, engagement, and creativity. ⭐️👏

I think many people are feeling how you are, because you're right, the world is chaos at the moment and that is absolutely cause for anxiety.

I am sorry to hear that you cancelled your trip and traded sipping coconuts for stressed squirreling (this is a real mood btw)... it sounds like a big part of you is needing some stability, certainty, and safety right now?

I know you have very proactively started ✨ Apocalypse Preparation Lite™and honestly, this is very forward thinking of you. You've now got me considering how I would prepare for the apocalypse 🤔 (I don't think my current coping strategy of doomscrolling to escape the horrors will be very adaptable 😅)Hmm, maybe we can stick to coordinating snacks? What shall I bring?

PS: I love that you're also being savvy when considering how you charge your anxiety - very eco-friendly. 💅

PPS: Dark humour is a perfectly valid coping strategy and I think they should add it to counselling training manuals.

PPPS: In all seriousness, thank you for your candour and know that all your feelings are welcome here, even the more vulnerable ones. Shall we brainstorm some ways to create a little more inner safety with all that's going on in the world? 💛

@FridgeMagnet

That was a great read. You embrace anxiety with great personality, which is a superpower to be honest.

yeah, it sounds so cliche and lame, but I went through a breakup 18 months ago and since then the world has seemed so ugly and chaotic. Love definitely smoothed the corners considerably. It has felt like the end times ever since then- there’s this apocalyptic grey to everything, and this… desperation. I don’t know how much of my internal state I project on things, but yeah the news that comes in certainly reinforces an instability. Ai depresses me no end, too. I feel it in my soul, as a creative.

Hey @MoonGal, thank you… I really appreciate this reply. It genuinely made me feel less like I’m the only one side-eyeing the world like it just did something suspicious.

I really like what you said about limiting news and socials. That feels like such a calm, intentional way to look after yourself. Meanwhile I’ve gone with the slightly more chaotic approach of “buy a solar panel and emotionally spiral, but sustainably.” 😂

And honestly, toilet paper is a solid bunker choice. You’ve chosen wisely.

I don’t really watch much TV or read at the moment. My usual “switch off” thing is playing WoW, but I haven’t been on because I’ve been too anxious to even engage with it.

But… small win: tonight I jumped into Discord and chatted with a few guild friends. It actually felt really nice and normal for a bit. I said I’d go back tomorrow, so I’m cautiously optimistic my brain will allow that plan to exist.

I love the staycation idea too. That sounds like a really gentle way to create something to look forward to without the stress of travel. “Apocalypse, but make it cosy” might be the vibe I need right now.

Thanks again for your message, it really meant a lot. And if things do go full bunker mode, I feel like between your toilet paper and my solar panel, we’re basically a functioning society.

@AuntGlow, I feel like I’ve just received a 5-star performance review for my anxiety and honestly… I will be adding that to my resume. 😂

Thank you though, that was such a kind and thoughtful reply. It really landed.

You’re definitely onto something with the “needing stability, certainty, and safety” part. I think my brain has gone, “hmm, the world feels unpredictable… what if we simply tried to control everything instead?” and here we are, one solar panel later.

Also, I fully support us pivoting away from doomscrolling as an apocalypse skill. I don’t think “excellent thumb stamina” is going to help much in the wasteland. Coordinating snacks, however, feels like a critical survival strategy.

I can contribute:

• chocolate (morale officer reporting for duty)
• tinned food, including the elite survivor item: spam
• dried fruit (for when we pretend we’re being healthy)
• nut bars
• crackers + peanut butter (honestly a complete meal if you believe in yourself)

Between that and your contributions, I think we’re less “bunker” and more “unexpectedly well-catered end-of-the-world picnic.”

Also, I really appreciated what you said about dark humour. It’s kind of how I hold all of this without getting completely swallowed by it.

I’d be open to brainstorming ways to build a bit more inner safety too. In all honesty, my aunty isn't really speaking to me since I told her and that's tough since part of my routine is talking to my aunts every day and I really, really didn't want to hurt her. A positive sign was that she sent me a text today saying she needs a couple of more days, so it's not forever.

Thanks again for your kindness (and for validating my eco-friendly anxiety charging practices).

Hey @cozy_726 , I respect the “just go fishing” survival plan.

I actually really get what you’re saying about prepping increasing anxiety. I think I’ve discovered there’s a fine line between 'practical preparedness' and 'spiral with accessories' and I may have tiptoed over it with enthusiasm.

Also, your comment did make me reflect a bit… I might try leaning a little more into the “one step at a time” approach and a little less into “prepare for every possible timeline simultaneously.” Baby steps. Possibly snack-assisted.

Appreciate your perspective. Thanks so much for your response.

Hey @papermoon

What you said about things feeling more chaotic after your breakup really stayed with me. It makes sense though… when something grounding like love disappears, it’s like the world loses a layer of softness. The edges feel sharper. More exposed. Like you’re suddenly experiencing everything without a buffer.

That “apocalyptic grey” you described is such a vivid way of putting it. I think I get what you mean… it’s not just what’s happening out there, it’s how it lands when you’re already feeling a bit untethered.

I’ve definitely been wondering lately how much of what I’m feeling is 'the world is objectively chaotic' versus 'my brain has turned the contrast all the way up'. Probably a bit of both.

Umm, as you should - anxiety works hard out here to pay very thorough and thoughtful attention to every detail. 💅 @FridgeMagnet

I am glad, and many apologies for my delay! I took some time off to complete some creative work, but I am back now. 👏

It's so, so understandable that your mind would be looking for ways to maintain a semblance of control with all that's going on in the world. And frankly, solar panels are a great eco-friendly step forward either way!

YES here for all those snacks - I feel like you've covered everything?! Maybe some dried herbs and spices to make tinned food taste better? (I put chilli and garlic on everything)

The chocolate won't last long with me, so I will definitely bring extra. 😂 Do you have a favourite? 👀

In addition: Perhaps I can bring coloured pens and journals for us to get creative? Maybe even some dumbells to maintain stamina and strength (to prepare for whatever the apocalypse evolves into; Zombies, etc).

Humor is a great coping strategy and I think you've got a knack for it too. I can absolutely see you writing a blog or creating videos - people would love them!

How are things going with your Aunty? And how are you feeling overall at the moment?

We can definitely brainstorm inner-safety strategies.

What kind of things connect you to yourself, your joy, or allow you to enter that 'flow state'? 🫶

Hey @AuntGlow

My aunt is speaking to me again, so that is good. Funny you should mention creative stuff, I have once before entered the Sulman prize competition - with a really bad piece of art I might add, so it didn't get anywhere....but they let through a couple of dodgy ones each year so I started painting in the last few days in the hopes of being one of the dodgy artworks they let through next year #goals. I'm hoping to go and see the exhibition this year.

In my prep news....my case manger called in the fire department to do a safety inspection because I bought a camping stove and butane canisters with it. While they said what I had wasn't illegal, they don't want the butane canisters in my home so I agreed to get rid of them. They were nice though, the officer who came called the fire station and got them to come down immediately and install 3 free fire alarms....so prompt service!