October 2025 - Derek Writes

Welcome back, everyone! Thank you so much for reading. Today’s topic is the current pop culture. If you can call it that. 😂

Just a QUICK post to examine today’s current pop culture. I mean, is it fun, relevant and exciting? OR Toxic, dysfunctional and just plain nuts?

So, here I go again on my Gen X rant, but I swear our pop culture was better back then as opposed to today’s. We had such RAD stuff during the 70s and 80s such as:

The Rubick’s cube.
Roller skates (not roller blades).
Skateboarding.
Farrah!!!!!!

Disco!!
Well, the music from the 70s and 80s!
CB radios.
The fashion. Yes. The fashion. 😂
The hairstyles!!
The dolls, such as The Cabbage Patch kids, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and Barbie.
The psychic hotline.
The soap opera hotlines!
The SOAPS!!

Nightime Soaps!
THE MOVIES!!
The Sitcoms!!
TV and music overall!
The talk show circuit!!
Game shows!!!

I could go on and on. It was such an exciting time, despite the Cold War of the 80s, and nuclear meltdowns and hostage crises. We actually had a good time back then. Now, in the 2020s, we’ve got… well… we’ve got. Okay, well here goes:

THE PANDEMIC!! Kidding.

Reality TV.
Speaking of, THE KARDASHIANS!!!
The competition shows.
Questionable music and questionable, dubious musical artists.
And because of the latest controversy with the upcoming Super Bowl, we have Bad Bunny!
Unbelievable political scandals that are not just affairs, but pedophilia and fascism!!
The Royal family, but seen through some not-so-good lens.
TAYLOR SWIFT!

BEYONCE!

SOCIAL MEDIA!!
Influencers. And please tell me what the hell they are influencing!
Tik Tok! Oy!!

News now being on social media, such as Facebook and YouTube, et al.
More of a digital age than ever before.
CELL PHONES!
Reaction videos. 🤮
Apple and Microsoft.

Ordering consumer goods on online platforms, such as Amazon and Etsy, et al.
Streaming services.
Climate change being front and center.
The Left v. The Right, politics.
MARVEL!

Pop culture of today seems awfully hollow and shallow. There doesn’t seem to be any substance to it at all. It seems like it could be blown over by the wind at any moment. In other words, it just doesn’t seem… well, fun. Or grounded. It seems fake and plastic and absolutely mediocre. It’s almost as if any old thing goes, and we see that particularly with TikTok and with the reaction videos, which are just the stupidest thing, in my opinion. And the “everybody gets to be a star” phenomena, because now everybody has a frickin’ cell phone with the ability to record video. It’s all empty and vapid to me.

Also, pop culture now seems VERY toxic and even downright dysfunctional. The heroes and sheroes that people turn to today are so stomach turning. Can we say The Kardashians? Or as some people refer to them as The Kartrashians? 😂😂😂 What are they really about? It just seems they are about absolutely NOTHING! The latest from them, specifically Kim Kardashian? Skims thongs with fake pubic hair. Oh. brother. 🤮

As I said in a post on Fakebook – er Facebook – stupid rich people do stupid things to appeal to stupid people to make stupid rich people even richer. Which actually is kind of smart on their part. SMH.

And the constant shoving down our throats of the following: Beyonce, Diddy and all his DESPICABLE actions, TAYLOR SWIFT, Prince Harry and Megan Markle and all the royal garbage going on, and now it is Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl nonsense. Or as I call him – Bad Bunny Rabbit – and the Supper Bowl. Ha!

And of course there is always POLITICS. That is if you can call it that anymore.

This is what we have to look forward to? This is the pop culture that is supposed to be fun, exciting, interesting and entertaining? It is rather flat, dull and lackluster, especially when it is the same, tired and monotonous people/celebrities/politicians we see over and over and over again. Ad nauseum.

It’s Not ALL Bad, I guess 😒

The only thing about today’s pop culture that I actually find of value is YouTube. YouTube is where you can find EVERYTHING!!! From entire movies to entire series to just fun and, yes, silly stuff. I live on YouTube actually. 😂I find it utterly fascinating. And you can find so much pertinent information. There is a plethora of self-help and motivational videos on the platform, as well as DIY stuff. I even have SEVERAL playlists there! Not to mention the fact that I have two profiles… no wait…. now THREE profiles on my fave social media platform! 😂And two of them have so many doggone playlists of miscellaneous stuff and music that I have collected over the years. And my third channel is where my vlog clips live. (The Bitter Queen of Mayfair – check it out!) 😂😉😀😁

I will also give kudos to the streaming services. Back in MY day (I sound so old 👴), we had the three channels and then later cable TV. Well, all of that has morphed into having SEVERAL streaming platforms where you can find not only old content, but new and original stuff, as well. All sorts of movies, both old and current. Though the quality may not be up to par with regard to certain shows, the quantity is certainly vast, to the point where you have no idea what to watch!! So, many (too many) choices! I am already several shows behind myself! 😂

Ye Old Cell Phones – i.e. Our Extra Appendage!

I think the cell phones are a wonderful invention. It allows us to be, and stay, connected with others in our world and yes, even around the world. With the ability to look up information right on the spot without having to go to a library or a newspaper, the information is now at lightning speed.

If you have an emergency, such as a car breakdown or, heaven forbid, witness a crime (please don’t film it first, though) or find yourself the victim of one, you can immediately call the authorities, without waiting to get home or to a pay phone. Do pay phones even exist anymore???

The downside is we are literally stuck to our phones now. We have traded true socializing with our outside world to socializing on well… social media.

Pedro Pedro Pedro!!

And then there is this guy – the very yummy, sexy and delicious new daddy on the scene – Pedro Pascal!!! That man is EVERYWHERE! Thanks, in part, mostly to social media. But he is also definitely everywhere in terms of magazines, talk shows, the Red Carpet, Saturday Night Live, and of course, the movies. And most notably HBO Max’s, The Last of Us. My only fear is that we have become so saturated with him, particularly all over social media, that he will burn out or we will burn out because of him, which is another downside to social media – OVEREXPOSURE!!

Okay. That’s it. Stepping down off my soapbox. 😂 Back next week with our beloved gay icons and how they actually help with our mental stress and unwellness. So, please be on the lookout for that. And until then, please stay safe, and mentally well!

DEREK’S DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional, neither am I giving any medical or legal advice. If you are seeking help from a doctor or an attorney, please consult said professionals. These are my personal thoughts and feelings on the subjects discussed, and my blog is my own personal experiences and journey with mental imbalance. Thanking you in advance!

I do not own the copyright to any songs or videos listed here.

AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: There are products on this page. By clicking on the links, you will be redirected to that page at no cost to you. However, I will receive compensation if you purchase something (which I hope you do 😊).

Nervous System Overload

Hello, all! I am so glad that you have rejoined me for another fun-filled trip into my madness! 🤣😂🤣

This week, I am talking about a topic that just occurred to me recently. And that is how your nervous system plays a HUGE role in your mental health and well being. Let me explain.

First of all, in a lot of the research I have been doing on the subject of your nervous system, I have come to the conclusion, based on several sources that we as humans – earth things – are not meant to be exposed to so much stress, whether it is internal or coming from outside forces.

It’s as if we are operating on survival mode 24/7, much like our ancestors having to fight wild animals for safety, and having to hunt for our own food. You know, the whole fight or flight thingy. But why in such a day and age of comfort and gadgets and technology, we are all still so damn stressed, anxious, nervous, and suffering greatly from mental health challenges?

And for us Gen Exers, a huge fight or flight mentality was definitely during the 1980s with regard to the whole Cold War phenomena and worrying that we were going to be annihilated because of nuclear war at any moment!!!

Currently, human beings are exposed to SO MUCH negativity, including the threat of war. Our current everyday existence consists of:

Having to pay bills.
Having to work for a living, which BARELY meets our needs.
Having to go to college and study hard to get a job that won’t pay.
Having to pay taxes!
If you have children, that’s an added stress and responsibility.
The news!!!!! (MAJOR source of stress and anxiety)
Living in a world that, for some reason, wants to destroy itself – i.e. threat of nuclear annihilation, climate change, and (yes, the constant wishing for The Rapture – that never comes!)
LIVING UNDER THIS CURRENT, CARTEL/CRIMINAL ADMINISTRATION!
All of these differing opinions and belief systems, i.e. not only politically, but also with regard to religion.
CRIME!!
Worrying about your health!
Healthcare! Or the lack thereof.
The threat of healthcare, etc., being taken away.
Car breakdowns/expensive upkeep of cars.
Lack of transportation!
Trying to find a relationship or maintain one.
Not making enough/having enough money!
Worrying about going backwards in time, but not in a good way – if you catch my drift.
And if you are a child (and of course a parent), worrying about going to school and whether or not you will return home safely, because the flipping people in charge don’t think we need sensible gun laws!!!! 🤬
Speaking of, the feeling that NONE of us are safe anymore ANYWHERE!! We could get gunned down simply shopping at the grocery store, restaurants, EVEN church, and as we all know by now that schools are no longer a safe place.
And these days, just being around other people are causing people anxiety and stress!!

And the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on…

We are constantly in a state of heightened anxiety, constantly in survival mode. And out of all this can most certainly arise physical health challenges, such as heart disease, stroke, and mental health disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, depression, OCD, PTSD, and even suicidal ideation.

Our systems are not designed for all this madness and chaos. And as adults, we believe or have been conditioned into believing that that is just the way it is. We cannot do anything about it. It is a never-ending cycle of BS! And I talk about what it is like to REALLY be an adult. Please see that clip below:

But what can we do to counter all of the madness?????

One of the tricks I have learned to calm my nervous system is, in the morning before I get out of bed or the first thing when I get out of bed, I place both hands on my heart and breathe in for 5 counts, hold for 5 counts, and then blow it out for 7 counts. You are supposed to do this 3 times in a row. I also believe you are supposed to feel your heartbeat as you do it. I am finding that it really does relax me.

Also, mindset. I am (slowly but surely) changing my mindset with regard to anxiety and lack. I calm myself down with affirmations and am striving for having a more relaxed attitude and calmness. I have even slowed down a bit more, and for a Taurus that is saying A LOT!! (We are known for moving at our own pace.) 😂

I have been saying for a long time now, but MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS is a great relaxation technique. Just sitting quietly, no thoughts. Allowing the everyday nonsense to leave your mind. Focus on your breathing. Focus on how your body is feeling. Focus on how YOU are feeling.

Every day, I try and do a check in with myself – at noon, at 3 p.m. and at 6 p.m. How am I feeling? How is my body feeling?

And really just STOP. Just stop and sit and relax. Listen to calming music. Watch something funny on TV. (I find that laughter helps me TREMENDOUSLY!)

And finally, when I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I just repeat the word “calm” over and over in my mind. It really helps. I slow down. My heartbeat slows. It really works!

In the end, as the old saying goes, we may not be able to change what’s going on in the outside world, but we certainly can change how we feel and how we react to it.

That’s it. Short and sweet. For a change. LOLOLOL Anyway, please return when I tackle the subject of pop culture of today. I am probably going to rant and rave on this one. So, don’t miss it!

Until then, please be safe and, as always, mentally well!

And here are a couple of videos on the subject. I do hope they help. 😉

I do not own the copyright to any songs or videos listed here.