I just want to say to everyone: It’s OK to be annoyed if you’re stuck inside right now. That is a very valid feeling. It sucks. I’ve been distancing for 9 days now and I’m ready to tear my hair out. (And I don’t even have kids.) I know a lot of people have been at it even longer. I’m not a particularly touchy-feel-y person, but I really miss human contact.

This is a frustrating situation, so be frustrated. Don’t suppress your very valid feelings, because it leads to self-doubt and questioning whether you are ever feeling the “right” thing; there is no such thing. We feel what we feel – it’s what makes us human. It’s how we deal with it that makes us grow. This is a testing situation for everyone – there are definitely going to be long term social and psychological effects. When this is over – whether it’s weeks or months – we’re all going to be different. And in the meantime, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to make us annoyed and mad and sad and grumpy and stressed. Don’t let suppress negative feelings and let them stew – that will hurt you more in the long term. Don’t feel bad for feeling negative. Acknowledge all these feelings, because they aren’t going to disappear.

Also, don’t compare your situation to others – just because all you can do is stay in, that doesn’t mean you aren’t doing enough. You’re doing what you can, and that is enough, even if it’s hard and makes you want to tear your hair out. You matter too – your mental health matters as much as your physical health right now. Take care however you need to. We are all doing the best we can right now.

So with all that in mind, today’s Music March post is a song that reminds me that it’s OK sometimes to not be OK. Actually, this entire album is pure pessimism, but I’m just posting one track. There is no joy in these lyrics. They don’t provide hope. Instead they’re about being annoyed and frustrated and angry. They are about how the world and people just suck so much sometimes. It’s also depressing that the lyrics are relevant again 14 years after the album came out.

But f*ck if it isn’t catchy as hell. I mean, this entire album is just straight pessimism set to super happy catchy tunes. And sometimes that’s just what we need to do – dress up our frustrations in optimistic tunes and pretend everything is OK even when it’s not. Because even if we can’t stop our feelings we can validate them in the weirdest possible ways.

We’re all in this together, and I don’t think anyone will think less of you for feeling annoyed because you are feeling frustrated by everything. I certainly won’t.

“Do Over” by Get Set Go