Help! I’m addicted to the presidential race
Every four years, when campaigning has ended and the last of the nasty commercials has aired, most people rejoice. But I mourn the passing of the U.S. contest for president. My name is Kathy Troher, and I am a politicaholic.
Like a smoker who already is reaching for a lighter as she wakes up in the morning, when my eyelids pop open, I’m grabbing the remote to flip through the cable news channels. My first lucid thoughts are these: Did I miss an early-morning tweet? What breaking campaign news broke while I slept?
I don’t know why. I mean, the idea of a campaign is to develop an opinion on who would be best to lead the country and, for all of us, create an environment for us to live our lives to the greatest potential. But for me, the race is my fix.
And especially this year, it’s like a car wreck on the interstate. I know I should avert my eyes and be on my way (nothing to see here), but I can’t. I need to know what’s happening.
That proved almost impossible this summer while my husband and I vacationed in Europe. CNN World was the best we could get on TV, and the minute-by-minute Clinton-Trump finger pointing only cracked their top stories every few hours. Instead, all we got there was Brexit, Brexit, Brexit on the British vote to exit the European Union. We were only overseas a week, but before returning home, David Cameron was out and Theresa May was in. Where were the months and months of scandal, conspiracy theories, pivoting? No wonder we formed our own country.
OK. OK. The Brits don’t want to play on the EU team anymore, but WHAT IS HILLARY DOING? WHAT IS THE DONALD SAYING? I . . . . couldn’t . . . . breathe.
When we returned home, I can’t remember what came first: flipping on the lights, turning on the TV or going to the bathroom.
Do you wonder if you, too, have a “problem?” Here’s a quiz I developed that might help you decide whether it’s time for a 12-step program.
- Do you not only know that Reince Priebus is chairman of the Republican National Committee but know how to pronounce AND spell his name as well?
- Do you find it impossible to believe undecided voters exist?
- Do you forgo the extra hour or so of precious weekend sleep to watch the Sunday morning political shows at first airing?
- Do you celebrate debate nights with pizza?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time for an intervention.
Actually, an intervention would be wise. Listening to all the negativity, shouting and name-calling can’t be good for your blood pressure. It gets mentally fatiguing after a while. At some point, your brain needs a rest.
I can see why mental health experts recommend turning the TV off when the networks are playing the latest tragedy on what seems like an endless loop. Emotional stress isn’t healthy. It’s OK to walk away.
The funny, or tragic, thing is, I think most people already know who they’ll vote for. So all of the discussion, fretting and conjecture is next to pointless.
Why do we bother? We could wait until a month before the election to crank up the campaign. We might learn to do something constructive with our time. As for me, I could — I don’t know — learn to knit.
That’s it. I WILL avert my eyes. I will do the healthy thing. I will quiet my mind. Like the addict having an epiphany, I will choose the healthy lifestyle. I will choose life. I will dedicate myself to being a better person.
Oh, look at the time. I have to run. Where’s the remote? WHERE’S THE REMOTE?
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About the Author
Kathleen Troher, health enews contributor, is manager of public affairs and marketing at Advocate Good Sheperd Hospital in Barrington. She has more than 20 years of journalism experience, with her primary focus in the newspaper and magazine industry. Kathleen graduated from Columbia College in Chicago, earning her degree in journalism with an emphasis on science writing and broadcasting. She loves to travel with her husband, Ross. They share their home with a sweet Samoyed named Maggie.
Kathy,
From one former reporter to another, I understand completely. I still miss being in the newsroom on Election Night, staying up late eating pizza and wearing jeans as the returns come in. Remind me to tell you about how I was studying abroad in England during Bush vs. Gore 2000.
Lisa
I was abroad in 2004 and it was an interesting experience, for sure!
This author is obviously some kind of peeping Tom. How else would you know so many exact details of my life? And my wife and I thought EVERYONE deemed primary debates the perfect date night, what could be more fun than some wine and yelling at the TV? I could go on, but the Donald’s Mexico meeting and even more Hillary email news is coming up after the commercial, gotta go!
I love this. We should be friends because politics are my sports. The election, my Super Bowl.
When Hillary accepted the party nomination in July, I had 15 people over for pizza, wine and crazy convention hat crafting. There were 9 little girls under 10 in my house that night and we are planning a BIGGER party for November.
Consider yourself officially invited, if you can handle it 😉