I finally took the Winnie the Pooh quiz that Kae and Elisabeth have been talking about, Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You? And I got… Winnie the Pooh.
My first reaction was- “Oh for GOD’S SAKE. This is even worse than when I took the Hogwarts quiz and was put into Hufflepuff! I mean, honestly… I know I’m starting to look a little like Winnie the Pooh… some of my shirts are fitting like his little red one… but, seriously???”
Then I thought about a Winnie the Pooh book we used to read when my kids were little. Winnie wants to go on a picnic, but everyone keeps saying it’s going to rain (the sky is looking dark and ominous.) Winnie finally says “Rain isn’t rain until it falls from the sky in drops. Until then, we might as well have fun.”
Okay, fine- I’ll be Winnie the Pooh.
This all came up during Elisabeth’s FIG Collective month (Finding Joy in Gratitude.) I loved this month of gratitude, but I think I’m not alone in having some questions. How do we reconcile “joy” in our lives when so many really bad things are happening?
I’m making my way through this book…
…. and I just read a chapter called “You Can’t Care About Everything (On Staying Sane When the World’s a Mess)”. Burkeman writes that after the 2016 election, he started to notice people were “living inside the news.” The news had become more real to them than their friends, family, and careers. The oversimplified message of this chapter is: don’t do this.
First of all… remember 2016? Remember how we thought things were really bad, but now it turns out those were actually the GOOD OLD DAYS???
I’m really struggling with this- I don’t want to “live inside the news.” But it’s so hard to find a balance- which issues do I choose to ignore, just throw up my hands and say “Well, I can’t care about everything!” Can I ignore all the news? I tried that, and it didn’t work. Can I just sort of care, but not too much? No, that doesn’t work either. Can I boycott Target and call it a day? Nope- that’s not quite enough.
I guess I just haven’t figured out how I want to live right now. I know I spout off every now and then on the blog, but in real life I keep my head down, assuming that everyone’s an enemy until proven otherwise (remember I live in a red state- and he actually lives in my county.) I need to figure out how much to say and do, how much news to consume, and balance it all with living my life- BECAUSE EVERY DAY STILL COUNTS.
What would Winnie the Pooh say? Probably something like… “oh, bother.”
If you’ve got this all figured out… let me know!!!
33 Responses
I am in stitches over here, literally, about your Winnie the Pooh comments!!! 😂😂😂 Laughing out LOUD!! I assure you you do not actually look like Pooh. I feel like I need to watch/read Winnie the Pooh now because I don’t actually know enough about the characters.
I really want to read that book too! I know SHU loved it but then I forgot about it and never picked it up! I love Oliver Burkeman.
Omg now I just re-read that and am laughing because I said “you don’t look like Pooh”, which out of context, one might think I said “don’t worry, you don’t look like poo”. 🤣 I think I need to go to bed… getting slap happy. 🤪
I’m laughing at your comment! I’m glad I don’t look like Pooh or poo. I also feel like I need to reread/watch Winnie the Pooh. Now that I have this bond with the main character.
everyday still counts! I love that.
I’m total opposite now when treating others, I assume they have good intentions until proven otherwise. maybe more naive but I feel better this way when knowing most of people are good and kind.
I used to feel that way! I feel like things have really shifted over the last few years.
Of course, I had to take that quiz too—and apparently, I’m Tigger! I was hoping for Piglet, but here we are. 🤣
You’re definitely not alone, Jenny. So many people are frustrated by what’s going on. When I run on the promenade here in Cape Town, I overhear snippets of conversation, and if I had a penny for every time someone mentioned the T-word, I’d be rolling in cash!
I don’t have a solution either—other than avoiding toxic social media and sticking with good friends (including us, of course!). 🥰
P.S. What’s the deal with Target? I’m out of the loop!
Oh- basically every store I want to shop at has something wrong with it now. Target pulled back on their DEI policy. ANYWAY- you got Tigger! That’s who I wanted! I guess I’m not really bouncy enough.
I adore that Winne quote about rain. Over here, because we have so much rain, people are obsessed with it. They seem to accept ANY weather as long as it’s dry. Personally I can handle some rain (except I can’t have the camera out) as long as it’s warm enough, no ice or frost or strong winds. People will cancel things because “it’s supposed to rain” and I think like “but it’s not raining now, is it?” and I go out and enjoy a good walk.
Regarding news… I’m struggling. But I’m trying to adopt the same mindset I had during the pandemic, that I refuse to worry and be anxious things that MIGHT happen because there’s a possibility they WON’T happen. I will worry when there’s something obvious to worry about and until then I’ll focus on fixing my own life. Right now I’ve made a decision to never start the day with reading the news. I read blogs or browse my own list of blog post ideas, or do some photo editing before digging into work projects. Then I read the news later in the day. Of course some of it will still upset me but at least it didn’t destroy my day.
Susanne, I think you might be a Winnie the Pooh as well. I’m pretty sure he would not worry about things that might happen- because they also might not. And I think you should copy his phrase, “rain isn’t rain until it falls from the sky in drops.”
I need to take that quiz too. I once named a kitten Tigger. But he got hit by a car.
Anyway. Yes in 2016 we thought things couldn’t get worse. And they did.
I hope we survive this. But Carpe Diem. Live each day as if it’s your last.
Aw- poor little Tigger kitten. And, Carpe Diem! Good policy.
True confession: I remember nothing about Winnie the Pooh.
I don’t know if it’s a positive thing to say or not, but part of the reason that I just can’t get upset about the State of the World is that when I look back, everything is “the good old days”. I remember being so upset at things that happened during Bush I and Bush II, which is just laughable now. The world has problems, and the world will fix those problems. Every time I go on a news site, there is something there that will yank my chain if I let it. I’m here to live my life and vote.
Birchie, if we ever look back on this as “the good old days,” well, I’ll be seriously worried. But I know what you mean The Bush’s seem absolutely lovable now!
I also got Winnie the Pooh! I loved all those stories when I was growing up and I remember having little figurines of the characters and playing a Winnie the Pooh computer game.
It’s really really really hard to avoid the news nowadays, and there are some things I am choosing to put energy into, like the cutting of National Park/federal lands jobs. Most places I run are National Forest or National Park lands and the thought of those being destroyed due to greed makes me sick. And I did participate in the Feb 28 boycott of buying anything, but it’s also hard for me to say I’m going to stop going to Target altogether because there are certain things I buy there (contact solution, toilet paper, etc) that I can’t buy at locally owned stores, and if we’re also supposed to avoid Amazon and Walmart, where are we supposed to buy things like that? Not everything is as black and white as people like to think and sometimes we just have to do our best even if it isn’t perfect!
I know!!! I don’t know where to shop! Locally owned stores are great- but they’re not going to have my toothpaste. I think I’m going to follow your lead- pick a couple things to put my energy into. National Parks are a good one to start with.
Winnie the Pooh is awesome and I will hear no opposition.
It’s true, living in the news is very very bad. There has to be a balance between being reasonably informed and also spiralling into darkness every day of the week. I think we all discovered that during the pandemic. I remember refreshing numbers like twenty times a day to see if “cases were rising” and for what? What benefit did I get from this? Nothing except anxiety, which isn’t exactly a benefit. I heard a podcast yesterday that said something like “you don’t have to rehearse for that now” which means that something bad might happen, but you don’t need to live it before it happens. Easier said than done of course, but good to think about.
Yes, that’s absolutely true- worrying about something won’t get you prepared for the actual event. I try to tell myself that IF the thing happens, I’ll know what to do at that time. And I do remember that during Covid- checking to see if cases were rising. I mean…. why???
I think Winnie is a person to aspire to be! He’s very calm and sweet and kind. I have long joked that I am Eeyore but I think I’m more like Rabbit. My former colleague Paul was a complete and total Tigger! But not in an annoying way. He has boundless energy and a glass half full perspective and I was the Eeyore to his Tigger. But we balanced each other out.
The news is so very depressing. I have to pay attention but it is just so very depressing. I am glad I live in a blue state, though!! But we lost control of the legislature in the last election so things have moved in the red direction. I’m hopeful that the democrats will win back a lot of seats during midterms. The things Trump has done as not great – tariffs and a bunch of layoffs…. not exactly great for the economy!
Well, the economy rules- if the economy is crappy at the midterm we should win back some seats. We’ll see.
I can see you as Rabbit!
I laughed out loud at the red shirt mention. Also, the good ‘ole days – bah ha ha. I manage to not live in the news. I tend to fall into the same mindset as Birchie – the world has problems and the world will sort them out. I vote and hope for the best. Things usually work out. That’s not to say I don’t find things in the news upsetting or distressing. I have situations happening right under my nose that need my constant attention and much of my energy is spent trying to resolve those things. I don’t remember which of the Winnie characters represent which personality, but I can sing most of Winnie the Pooh’s song. “I am short fat and proud of that, speaking poundage wise – when I up down, up down up, . . . “
Oh my God- so that’s my song now??? Ha ha…
Okay, I took the quiz (it said I’m Pooh, although we all know I’m Rabbit) and at one point it said “PICK A PUPPY”. PICK A PUPPY?!?! Like, why am I choosing? Can’t I have all the puppies?! What is this existential choice you’re forcing upon me, QUIZ?
I have to strongly disagree with people saying that the world will fix itself out. This apathy is the problem. We’re rounding up immigrants first. Have we learned nothing from history?
I agree- that quiz had some odd questions.
It’s very tempting to say “everything will work out.” I mean- I do believe that, in the long term. I was in Germany in the 1990s and found it to be a lovely country- so you could say that whole Nazi thing eventually worked out. But a lot of bad stuff happened in the meantime.
Awwww, I love that you are Pooh!
Finding a balance is impossibly challenging. I find myself vacillating between “living inside the news” and ignoring everything and, well, THAT’s not working any better than picking either path. I don’t have any answers, but I appreciate reading posts like this from smart and thoughtful bloggers like you.
Thank you Suzanne! And, I know- when I try to ignore the news, I feel anxious AND guilty that I’m not doing anything. Sigh.
I look at politics, the environmental crisis – everything – through a spiritual lens. It is crazy – crazy I tell you! – to be reading through the Bible while also reading about current events. I know many people would say it is a coincidence, but the things that are written about 1000s of years ago are ringing true in the most truly bizarre ways.
I have to be careful how I speak about religion and politics because I believe that there does need to be separation of church and state, but I feel like underlying Christian values have the answer to so much of what’s happening now. The Bible TELLS us how to treat immigrants and foreigners (take care of them; the Good Samaritan, anyone?; Sabbath rules?). It tells us to be peacemakers. It tells us to love our neighbour (hi! that’s us here in Canada!!). It tells us to pay our taxes faithfully and not cheat the system. It tells us to take care of nature. It tells us to be faithful to spouses, to treat women with respect. It tells us not to judge others. It tells us to let the land rest and forgive debts regularly (shmita; a concept I’m very familiar with).
ANYHOO. Moving on. I think I am an Eeyore with a dash of Rabbit mixed in…I wish I was Pooh!
Elisabeth, the craziest thing is I know lots of Christians who are huge Trump supporters. It makes NO SENSE. How can they reconcile this??? I really don’t understand it. But I never understood why so many people voted for him. I just don’t get it.
I didn’t know you lived in the same county, Jenny… that’s kind of a LOT.
My older kid told me a couple of weeks ago that the bubonic plague wiped out 50% of Europe’s population so there are other times in History when it seemed like the world was ending and didn’t… We’ll make it is what they told me. It cheered me up a bit… Please use it, if it speaks to you <3
Also, Oliver Burkeman gives some advice in his newsletter:
“Make sure your psychological centre of gravity is in your real and immediate world.” i.e. “The world of your family and friends and neighborhood, your work and your creative projects, as opposed to the world of presidencies and governments, social forces and global emergencies.”
https://ckarchive.com/b/4zuvhehpp24m4t6ovveola6g9z777s5
(This seems incredibly selfish and privileged, IMO. And if we’re not paying attention and helping others, who will pay attention or help us when we need it? But again, it may speak to some people, or be right thing when you need a break?))
It’s good advice, although it does sound privileged. Again- hard to strike a balance. And yes- HE lives in my county! AUGH!
I have been writing postcards to voters (in Florida now!) and sometimes I make phone calls, but none of it feels like it matters. I live in California and phoning my Senators kind of feels like they are Democrats so already are doing the things I am urging them to do. But I think they can stand to hear more of it, so I will make calls again tomorrow. (I hate making calls, and really I shouldn’t, mostly it’s voicemail and when it’s a person they just listen and take my info.) I just have to do SOMETHING or I’m going to grind my teeth down, and I have too many old fillings for that to be a good idea.
Deep breath. Thinking about the quote that Maya posted, is there a way to focus on our real and immediate world, without shutting the world out entirely? Like figure out whether there is anything you can DO to help? Donate money if you have it. Volunteer somewhere. Write letters or sign petitions, all of that. Well, not ALL of that. Some of that. When I was between jobs, I found myself worn out and depressed and worried and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough job searching. Eventually I came up with a schedule, and I would actively look for work for 1 hour or whatever, and then I would take the rest of the day off. Take a walk, take a nap, watch TV, go to the library, whatever. Yes, it’s privileged. But we have to care for our mental health, too. As I keep reading, this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. (Though it feels like a sprint, doesn’t it? Like it’s all happening really fast. They’re trying to overwhelm and discourage us.)
Does that sound Pooh-ish? I’m a silly old bear too, which is great because I love him best. Also what Engie said, I want all the puppies.
I am also Winnie the Pooh! Let’s be Poohs together 🙂
I have not figured out how to live right now, hence the silence on my blog. I am having a hard time getting through the weeks right now… I work and I work out but there’s not much energy for much else (and I need to do something about it).
Hey now, there is NOTHING WRONG with being a Hufflepuff! I’m a Hufflepuff and I feel very connected to that Hogwarts house. Everyone wants to be a Gryffindor or Slytherin or Ravenclaw – snoooooze. Let me just enjoy being a Hufflepuff and being a kind, empathetic person!
I took the quiz and got Eeyore which… makes sense. I am quite an Eeyore at times.
We can’t bury our heads in the sand. We have to find ways to balance our news consumption, but it also has to be combined with action. We cannot be apathetic about what’s happening or think it will all work itself out, because we have NEVER been in a position like this before. This is authoritarianism and it’s terrifying.