An Election Anxiety Survival Guide | 3 of 3

The Absolute Necessity of Community | Things that help me refocus my energy, regulate my nervous system, and regain perspective when it feels like everything is spinning out of control

Y’all, I am just so grateful for every single one of you.

A migraine derailed my posting schedule earlier and after tonight’s election results, well let’s just say sleep was nowhere to be found.

Disclaimer: I'm an artist, writer, and creativity coach – NOT a licensed, trained therapist. So this is me sharing what is helping me and being a supportive friend, not offering therapeutic advice.  If you are struggling or feel at all unsafe, please reach out to a mental health expert. None of us have to do this alone.

The Necessity of Community

One of the many things my time in Sudan taught me was the power of community. I don’t mean “community” as an abstract concept or a buzz word. Or even the strict online sense.

I mean a hyper-local group of people with skin on that show up for each other.

We got through the hardest times because there was a village. There was a whole group of people who were committed to caring for one another.

I realize there are probably some of you who are happy the way things went with the election results. Please hold space for the rest of us.

Given my experience internationally, I am deeply troubled by the circumstances we now find ourselves in.

I fear this is the end of the American experiment as we have known it for at least the next 50 years, if not longer. By early next year, I expect we will be trending on the world’s failed states list for flagrant human rights abuses and the curtailing of democratic freedoms, and be nearing or in economic freefall. I truly hope I’m wrong.

With this election, we have entered the era of American theocratic autocracy.

I have seen what these combination of factors has produced overseas. It is not a future anyone would knowingly choose for themselves.

I’m not being dramatic. Not even a little.

For me personally, it is almost a certainty I will loose access to medical care. And my life may be dramatically shortened because of that. So priorities are getting realigned for me faster than I ever expected.

Transparently, I feel a sickening blend of disappointment, grief, fury, betrayal, and terror.

Why tell you this? Because at least half of you probably relate a little.

It is in our darkest, hardest moments we need the practice of wonder and the pursuit of beauty the most. Even in these moments, we still get to choose our response. And these are the moments, we need one another.

Those of you who are struggling, we need to find the safe relationships in our spheres and lean into real life community as much as possible. If there aren’t safe circumstances locally, we may need to consider options to relocate to where there are.

I am making plans to move out of Florida as soon as I possibly can. Even if it drains resources I’d rather not touch. Instead of putting up Christmas, I’ll be packing up boxes this year.

I don’t yet know where I’ll land, or when the move will actually take place… but let’s just say I’m choosing to think of this next season as… an… adventure. 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Here are some more suggestions for caring for your wellbeing in what could very well be a prolonged stressful season with a lot of unknowns.

✨ COURAGE

• If you can, try and get regular amounts of sleep.

• Make a list of 5-10 small things that bring you joy that you want to do before the end of the year.

• Fill a donation box

• Make a list of 5 things no election outcome can change for you

• Create a gratitude bucket list

• Write a letter by hand to your past or future self with something they need to hear.

• Let yourself feel the feelings. Know you aren’t being too much.

✨ CREATIVITY

• Notice 5 things around you. How might you turn one of them into a creative prompt?

• Go foraging for beauty— look for the tiniest details you can find.

• Follow a YouTube tutorial.

• Try a new combination of art supplies

• Color swatch your watercolors. Really notice the pigments and how they blend with the water and one another.

• Make a vision board.

✨ COMPASSION

• Go gentle on yourself if you are struggling. For many of us this is a season of profound grief and complexity.

• If you are not struggling, try and understand that some around you may be having a really hard time at the moment.

• Turn off the news and the screens for as long as you need.

• Make a list of 3 simple ways you can show yourself compassion.

• Be aware of your self talk. Moderate as necessary.

The truth is we have not been this way before. And we don’t know what it will ultimately look like.

It may be an incredibly difficult season for many of us. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.

But hard doesn’t mean hopeless. We get to control our response. And when the path feels darkest, perhaps that moment is an invitation to shine our light brightest as we travel it together.

All light has to do to change the darkness is show up.

And now I am going to try and take a nap.

Delivered with so many hugs,

PS. You are welcome to share your thoughts. Just please keep them kind and respectful. If things get too wild, I will turn off the comments to keep this a space everyone feels safe in.