I woke up this morning, scrolled through the news, and immediately wanted to crawl back under the blanket.

The government shutdown. airportpalooza, inflation headlines, blow ups in the Caribbean, Ice, Ice, Baby, friends sending stories bathed in a vile orange haze…it is a lot to process.

Somewhere between trying to pay bills, staying informed, and be a responsible dog owner, I realized that  I am running on fumes.

We talk about mental health like it’s this side quest you get to once the main game is complete. “After this project.” “After the election.” “After things calm down.”

Reality check, things do not calm down. The noise just gets louder.

Politics feels like a permanent group chat argument, the economy is doing cartwheels, and my brain is waving a little white flag saying, “Seriously, what can I do to stop the madness?!”

So today, I’m taking a mental health day. Not because I’ve earned it, but because I exist, and existing right now feels like a full-time job.

I am giving myself permission to log off, breathe, and not have an opinion about anything for 24 hours.

Here is the thing, the world will keep spinning. I have no control over the government shut down or the hatred that is permeating America. I can only take responsibility for stabilizing my own small ecosystem by breathing deeply, staying calm and trying to be kind,  patient, and generous of spirit with others.

I will be back tomorrow and, hopefully, less crispy.