To me it’s the fighting. I know the intolerance paradox well, but the extreme polarization keeps sizzling up in meaningless ideological fights. If politics was boring again and we’d look at what laws do and whether we want them, we’d all be more productive.

I do not care for things that suck, I only care when can also change them. And this I have learned to withdraw from the things I can’t change. I would do a lot if my life had an impact on Gaza, Ukraine or anything else, but until I get there, I need to remember that I also need to keep myself happy and engaged. I learn things and make things, and when I can vote I’ll vote again, and when there’s a big protest I’ll join. This way I escape depression and retain my will to live.