The Social Justice Diplomat is currently on vacation. The temp filling in is an overstressed, undercaffeinated peon who really just wants to get through the week without any more international incidents.
I usually have the bandwidth -- to explain, to reach out, to bridge cultural divides, to rephrase, to forge better understanding. It's something I find rewarding, which is why I can be maddeningly calm and empathetic with people who have been blundering around and stepping on toes and knocking champagne flutes over on folks who just want to have a good night.
I usually have the bandwidth. I really don't right now. I'm less willing to engage, more willing to drop people out of my circles. It's not that I'm upset or offended or broken up -- I'm just tired. Worn out.
I find myself seeking comforting and familiar things. I'm going to retreat into my little cave of self-care, have some ice cream, watch my favorite movies, and resort to just punching "like" as stuff scrolls by -- disengaging as soon as I'm asked to explain my perspective for the Nth time. Because I'm on vacation.
We'll see how things look in a week or so.