A Pre-Election Survival Guide

Less than a year from now a momentous event will take place across the United States.

A Presidential election. 

I am already tired of the constant, incessant beating of the election drums. My ears and my mind are numb.

How to survive the bombast without losing my mind? I want the rhetoric to STOP! But the noise won’t cease for another year. It won’t end after Election Day, but right now I can’t dwell on that sad fact. One year at a time.

The only way I will survive until Wednesday, November 6, 2024, the day after Election Day, is to studiously ignore the ranting from everywhere around me. If anyone else feels as I do, I have some suggestions for a Political Avoidance lifestyle over the next few months.

In no particular order:

• Buy a pair of earplugs or earphones. Whenever anyone around you turns on a news channel or local news show or begins to talk politics, put earplugs on, make an excuse for leaving (I must join an important meeting or conference call), and walk out of the room. 
• Wear a T-shirt with an appropriate message such as I Don’t Talk Politics, Allergic to Politics, Don’t Talk Politics to Me, If You Want to Talk Politics There Will Be a Two Drink Minimum, I Bought This Shirt to Save Time Don’t Talk to Me. When someone mentions a political subject, flash your T-shirt. (Interested in one of these T-shirts? Google the saying and you will find it on Amazon, or somewhere online.)
• Leave the country. Rent a place anywhere around the world. If English is not commonly spoken, that’s a bonus; less chance of a political discussion when you can’t understand the language. Safe, affordable places can be interesting long-term stay alternatives. But any amount of time outside America’s political bubble offers a mental break.
•  If leaving the country is not an option, consider temporary relocation to a place far off the beaten path. Make sure the area provides poor internet service. And avoid contact with folks who recently arrived from connected areas. They will undoubtedly want to talk politics and ‘catch you up on what you’re missing’. Don’t start the conversation! Whip out your T-shirt.
• Unsubscribe from all political subscriptions, online and paper copies. You might consider canceling newspapers and news magazines for the next year. Immediately toss out political snail mail. When magazines are delivered, place them in a safe place. Next winter when you want to couch potato, bring out all kept materials, indulge in a favorite drink, alcoholic or not, and catch up on your reading. That is if you remember where you hid all the stuff. You will probably find you didn’t miss much – on any topic. 
• Speaking of written material…use your library this year. Whether you prefer to read or listen on a Kindle, audio, or hard copy source, borrow items on your must-read list, whether new novels, classics, or suggestions from friends. DO NOT, however, indulge in ANY books written about politics over the last 30+ years. 
• Binge-watch series. If not connected to at least one streaming service, do so now. You can cancel after Election Day. Think of this as not a waste of time or money, but a means of calming mind and body during a politically charged, divisive period in the country, and therefore in all our lives.
• Take up a new hobby or sport, or increase time spent on favorite pastimes, as long as they have nothing to do with politics. Set yourself a challenging, motivating goal. I plan on increasing my walking regimen. If participating in a joint effort, ensure that one of the requirements is no political discussions while together.
• If some of your friends are politicians, I’m sorry. If living with a politician, consider a temporary separation.
• If thinking about taking courses or returning to school, this might be the right time. Classes and homework will keep your mind active, and limit time spent on mindless matters – like politics.
• You can always clean your house, drawers, shelves, boxes, closets, tasks you thought you would undertake during the pandemic, but never got around to, or never finished. 
• Don’t totally avoid political issues until after Election Day. A couple of weeks before the big day take a big breath and plunge ahead. Inform yourself about the candidates and the issues, do your own research, and decide for whom you will vote. VOTE!

I am sure I will think of additional ways to pass the time in non-political mode in the coming year. If you have additional suggestions, let me know. I will pass them on. Meanwhile, mute the TV and settle in for a muddled and messy year.