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The Importance of Taking Breaks and Keeping Your Feet Grounded [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-01-23
The last story I wrote on DK was about one month ago to the day today. Since then, I was taking a nice long break from all of (gesturing vaguely everywhere) this. I spent time with family, friends, and reforged friendships that had long been neglected over the years. My cadre is still small, but I now have a group of people that are my “political home.” Conservative acquaintances are no longer in my life — speaking as a lawyer, they knew or should have known the ramifications of their actions in backing fascism.
I must say, taking a break from all of politics is a must-do for all of us as we press forwards with our resistance.
What do I mean?
I do not mean we should just dig our heads into the sand and ignore what’s happening — no. I do not mean that.
Let me draw an analogy.
During the First World War, a conflict that saw around 40 million casualties, soldiers would still get to take “breaks.” Ideally, soldiers would only spend 4-6 days on the frontline trenches, then they would be rotated back into rear-guard/reserve trenches, and they would also be given leave back to places like Paris and England (www.warmuseum.ca/....). This practice was adopted specifically to help reduce and prevent instances of “shell-shock,” known today as PTSD. Even though the psychological science was underdeveloped, people understood then that there is only so much that the human mind can withstand before it cracks and breaks. In WWI, they thought it had to do with the vibrations caused by explosions rattling a person’s brain — today we understand that it is the stress from trauma and fear that erodes a person’s capacity to remain sane.
The practice of rotating soldiers off of the frontlines for the sake of giving them a break is still practiced today, even in Ukraine — with the aim “for about 10-15% of servicemen to be on leave at any given time.” english.nv.ua/…
So, my point is that if WWI soldiers and Ukrainians — literally fighting for their lives — can afford to take breaks for the sake of their mental health, then so can you. Indeed, you will be a more effective fighter for doing so.
The longer that you do not take a break in this fight against Trump, MAGA, and fascism, the easier it will be to succumb to hopelessness and despair.
We should have all learned years ago that the war for freedom would not be won in a decisive battle, but rather be a long grueling campaign of attrition — last man standing.
The Revolutionary War lasted for over 8 years.
The War of 1812 lasted over 2 years.
The Civil War lasted a little more than 4 years.
Our participation in WWI lasted over a year.
WWII lasted about four years for the US (the war lasted 8 years if you consider Japan’s 1937 invasion of China).
And all of those conflicts only occurred after several years of strife, tension, and anguish.
This war against Trump is a war of attrition, and it will not be won decisively in one battle.
That being said, all of us need to mentally shift ourselves to a wartime mentality, and that means knowing when to step back and just breathe. Ask any remaining family members that remember WWII for reference. Prepare prepare prepare. Be patient. Plan. And take small actions every single day. But above all, know your personal limitations and maintain yourself — the same as you would a car before and during a long road trip. Do not drive yourself in a frenzy until you break down and crash. That helps no one.
We have to remember that while things are bad, we have not been defeated yet — not by a long shot. We all have to remain grounded. Taking breaks makes it easier to recognize this and not become overwhelmed.
Resistance is already solidifying as Trump’s administration is being smacked with fresh lawsuits to protect the rights of Americans, and patriots are hitting the streets.
x Trump: afraid of the cold and a tiny crowd. The People’s March: afraid of neither. — The Borowitz Report (@borowitzreport.bsky.social) 2025-01-19T01:00:31.680Z
Even though legacy media has failed us, a new media ecosystem is taking form to lead and guide the resistance: www.dailykos.com/…
MAGA is slowly descending into a civil war of their own while Progressivism is making inroads in the public narrative, finally: www.dailykos.com/…
And at the end of the day, Trump and his minions have to contend with these factors:
1) ¾ of the country did not vote for him,
2) +70 million that directly voted against Trump in favor of Harris,
3) The United States is, no matter what, a profoundly diverse nation, and white Christians are dramatically in the minority of the population (juxtapose that to Nazi Germany where nearly 99% of the population was white and Christian encyclopedia.ushmm.org/...),
4) Trump IS old and in even worse health than the mainstream media and DNC painted Biden to be,
5) Trump and MAGA have to contend with the fact that the RNC is diverse now too — composed of economic libertarians, theocrats, full-blown fascists, tech-bros, and corporate billionaire revanchists — all of whom want different things,
6) The military does not support fascism (more on that in the future),
7) At the end of the day, Trump is really really fucking stupid.
Hitler did not have to contend with odds like that, and let’s not forget that even he lost in the end too.
Good fucking luck getting rid of all of us.
So, prepare prepare prepare, make plans, and take plenty of breaks. Be fresh, strong, and in fighting condition at all times — regardless of how you define “fighting.” One day at a time — we shall overcome and prevail.
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion of our Democracy, the American people will in their righteous might win through to absolute victory.
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Taking my own advice, I will practice a methodology of writing consistently — not frantically. I may not write multiple pieces every week, but I will ensure that I write something as often as I am able to for as long as I am able to.
That being said, if you like my work, please consider giving me a follow on BlueSky and helping me expand the network of people who see my thoughts.
My username is @therealsinai
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