Alright, deep breaths, everyone. Missy’s back, back again, my rant is frozen with a lime on the side because, frankly, we all need it. 2025, you’re… a lot. A whole lot.
I’ve been MIA lately because the sheer volume of… gestures vaguely at everything… life has required a significant amount of processing.
Let’s cut to the chase: We’re living in a world where everyone’s got an opinion, a megaphone, and a hair-trigger for outrage. Where online echo chambers amplify the loudest voices, and “facts” are as malleable as clay. Where your neighbor’s choice of garden gnome is a potential flashpoint for a neighborhood-wide feud.
It’s exhausting. It’s draining. It’s like trying to navigate a minefield while wearing roller skates and holding a tray of very fragile emotional cocktail glasses.
We’re all tired. Tired of the constant barrage of negativity, the endless cycle of outrage, and the feeling that we’re living in a world where everyone’s shouting and no one’s listening. We’re tired of scrolling through feeds that make us want to throw our phones into a volcano. We’re tired of trying to explain basic human decency and common sense to people who seem determined to misunderstand it.
So, what do we do? How do we navigate this digital and real-life swamp of strife and misinformation without losing our minds (or our remaining shreds of faith in humanity)? Here’s my survival guide:
Midlife Margaritas Guide to Surviving 2025’s Chaos:
- Cultivate Your Inner Sanctuary:
- Take breaks. Actual breaks. Put down the phone, step away from the screen, and go outside. Breathe fresh air. Listen to birds. Pet a dog. Whatever brings you a moment of peace.
- Find your tribe. Seek out people who share your values and make you feel good. Limit exposure to those who drain your energy.
- Filter Your Information:
- Be skeptical. Question everything. Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true.
- Diversify your sources. Get your information from multiple, reputable sources. Fact-check everything. Then Fact-check the fact checkers.
- Recognize that algorithms are designed to keep you engaged, not informed. They often feed you increasingly extreme versions of what you already engage with.
- Practice Radical Empathy:
- Remember that everyone is fighting their own battles. Try to understand where others are coming from, even if you disagree with them.
- Listen more than you speak. You might be surprised by what you learn.
- Remember, people are more likely to hear you when they feel heard.
- Choose Your Battles Wisely:
- Not every argument is worth having. Some people are determined to misunderstand you, and engaging with them will only waste your time and energy.
- Focus on what you can control. You can’t change the world, but you can change how you react to it.
- Walk away from online or in person arguments that devolve into personal attacks. Trolls are only online to troll.
- Spread Kindness:
- Be the change you want to see in the world. Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect.
- Counteract negativity with positivity. Share good news, uplifting stories, and moments of joy.
- Remember, a little bit of kindness goes a long way.
- Protect Your Mental Health:
- Set boundaries. It’s okay to say no.
- Seek professional help if you’re struggling. There’s no shame in asking for support.
- Remember, your mental health is as important as your physical health.
- Remember Humanity:
- Behind every screen name and every opinion is a human.
- Even when disagreement is strong, basic human dignity should never be abandoned. Save your swear words for when you are driving in the car, alone.
This isn’t about ignoring the problems. It’s about navigating them with a sense of sanity and a commitment to kindness. Because, in the end, that’s all we have. That, and maybe a really good frozen margarita.
Peach, Love & Margaritas