Five Things I Did This Week

apropos of nothing

When I give public talks about The Exvangelicals or my work for NPR, when it’s time for the Q&A, someone often very earnestly asks a version of this question:

“How do you PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH while covering American politics?!”

I sometimes respond by thanking them for assuming that I do.

So, in no particular order, and for no particular reason whatsoever, here are five things I’ve done in the past week (or so) that are giving me joy and keeping me grounded:

1. Human interaction.

   This one is obvious, but we’ve been making a point to spend quality time with close friends - over dinner, a movie, a game. It’s very cold, the world feels very uncertain, and there is a huge temptation to retreat from it all or, on the other hand, work nonstop. I’m making it a point to try to stay out of either of those ditches.

2. Games - board games and sportsball games.

   Speaking of humans, some of our besties invited us over for dinner one night last week, and I sent a note to the group thread beforehand requesting that we keep politics and work talk to a minimum. I don’t usually set parameters around dinner table conversation, but when you cover politics, and it’s all anyone is talking about, even nights out can feel like work. So I suggested that we play games instead. We had so much fun, we’re talking about doing another one soon - maybe even wearing pajamas, because why not? Sports are not normally my thing, but I also went to a basketball game last week with another set of close friends. It’s a simple sport; I understand it conceptually (I was a cheerleader in junior high, albeit in a Christian school cheerleading skirt that came down almost my knee, so I had to learn the basics). I may have eaten a hot dog as well. I’d do it again.

3. A fluffy cocktail.

   I drink sparingly these days (what they say about alcohol and women over 40 has been very true for me - it doesn’t make me feel that great - and the research increasingly points to the conclusion that alcohol is just bad for you). But when I do, it should be fun - and worth the calories (now that everyone is taking GLP-1 medication, is it once again acceptable to admit you count calories?). Before the basketball game, we sat at a nearby bar drinking some fluffy cocktails with a gorgeous meringue on top. This was not the healthiest night of my week, admittedly. But again, the good company was key.

4. Coffee walks.

   Whatever city we’re in, my husband and I try to do this each morning - at home, on vacation, etc. We put on our shoes, walk to a nearby coffee shop, and make small talk. He enjoys the small talk more than I do, which is why I usually pre-game with First Coffee at home before we leave. But the steps and fresh air and - I hate to admit it - social interaction are good for us. When we’re apart, sometimes we talk on the phone while walking to our respective coffee shops in whatever city we’re working in.

5. Work.

   My high school English teacher, Miss Taylor, used to admonish reluctant students that “Work is a blessing. You will work in heaven.” She’d say it in a cheerful tone I found very annoying. But I see her point now. The health and energy and opportunity to work - whether at home or in the public sphere - is a blessing. It provides structure for my life and, I hope, some public service. This past week, I hosted the NPR Politics Podcast for several days, spent time at CPAC and an anti-Trump conservative conference, and talked with Don Gonyea about my recent reporting trip to heavily Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan.

   Yes, this work - like most people’s work - can be challenging, but it also feels important now. My beat these days is the intersection of politics and culture. If you have ideas, send them my way.

~Sarah