Earlier this month I caught a tweet from Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of “Hamilton.” It said:
Good morning. Do NOT get stuck in the ‘comments section’ of life today. Make, do, create the things. Let others tussle it out. Vamos!
I’ve been thinking about his words because since the first presidential debate, I’ve been living too much in the comments of life, letting others’ commentaries, diatribes, fallacious assertions, and appeals drown out my already fragile internal voice.
And I wonder why I’ve been feeling depression’s caul settle over me.
I’ve found myself sinking deep into the comments sections of Facebook posts. Then I Google articles, of which there are many, too many — and I’ve found myself wallowing in their comments sections.
And I wonder why I haven’t progressed on my next novel.
As we all know, the social media otherworld can be a total time-suck, a sinkhole of trashed dreams, an abyss of the wasted. Useless. Ridiculous. Mind-numbing. Soul-zapping. Creativity destroying.
I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself. I’m obsessed by this election as I’ve never been before.
And I wonder why my anxiety is a free-floating cloud I can’t seem to swat away.
This has been a helluva election cycle, and I can’t wait for November 9th. Meanwhile, I remember Miranda’s comment. Yep. Out of the comment sections–all those voices aren’t the voices that are going to help me make, do, create.
Last night, I came upon this reading by Benedict Cumberbatch that echoed Miranda’s words. Seemed like a sign.
Key word: DO
Lisa Alber's Words at Play 
Probably at no time in history has it seemed so rewarding to sit back and snipe at what other people are doing. You can pursue it 24/7, if you have the stamina, and maybe even get some monetary reward.
But if that’s the main thing you do, it’s not going to be much of a life to look back on.
Even with really important things — maybe especially with really important things — the key thing is to focus on the facts, not the chatter. After 9/11, the people who were really freaked out were the ones who were watching a lot (hours and hours) of TV. Those who read newspapers were much calmer. And better informed.
Hey Anthony! Long time! It’s crazy — I know this — I know it’s a waste and not a life, but I’m so obsessed right this moment. Believe me, I’m annoying myself big time. 🙂 The problem is that I’m curious about people, so I’m not tuning in to gather fact and stoke my own outrage, but to observe–it’s fascinating (and scary, and, unfortunately, I’ve always likes scary stories…) … but that’s not an excuse, I know. I’m weaning myself off it now. Thankfully!