Feeling distressed and exhausted

Lately, it's felt so easy to joke about the "before times." It felt like we were finally coming out of a dark age that had occupied our lives and minds for the past half decade. But it seems now that with every new feeling of relief comes a reminder that maybe we aren't really yet in the after times (if the after times ever happen). And it's really starting to affect my outlook on life and general disposition.

As women, we're expected to do and be everything: look prettier, work smarter, fight harder. But the emotional, mental, and physical energy put into the last few years has burned me out, as I'm sure it has burned out so many others like me. Every moment of optimism is replaced way too quickly by a reason to be even more distressed about the future. It's like we take two steps forward, and then 50 years backwards.

I know the best way to feel better is to take action, which I will. I just wish we had more support from those who have means, access, and resources, and the actual ability to make change. The burden on the shoulders of the everywoman to push forward progress is just so overwhelming, not to mention unrealistic.

I'm not sure why I put this in "advice wanted," since there's no advice really to be had here — I just wanted to commiserate with others who might be just as exhausted as I am. Can I just enjoy the Met Gala just once without a reminder that The Handmaid's Tale is right around the corner?? Sigh.