Anxiety, fear, and at times an overriding feeling of hopelessness— are all examples of what the recent election result has brought on. For many people whose survival, rights, and identities come into question, the burden of that anxiety can be very heavy. The purpose of this post is not to make those feelings go away or to offer any “quick fixes” for the anxiety. This post looks to acknowledge the reality of the fear, anger, and sadness that many people are feeling. If you’re feeling the weight of this time, please know you’re not alone. Though it may feel hollow now, remember there are ways to navigate this fear and even to find resilience in the darkness.
Understanding the Depth of Fear and Hopelessness
For many, this is about more than policy changes or shifting allegiances of government; this is, at its core, about the potential return—or amplification—of actions and attitudes that feel dangerous, threatening, and deeply personal. Such changes leave in their wake a powerful wave of concern and fear regarding the furture of basic rights, healthcare, freedom, and safety, touching very real and deep aspects of what it means to live freely and with safety in society.
- Impact on Marginalized Communities: Many issues that have been proposed or hinted at, in particular, have to do with immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and access to healthcare—issues that hit at the very heart of marginalized communities. It’s a really scary time to be someone who would, quite literally, lose the protections and rights that appear integral to one’s well-being. This fear is palpable; it is personal and immediate, affecting many people in their everyday lives and safety.
- The Truth about Collective Trauma: The unending political landscapes, which have appeared quite inimical, are very exhausting. The option of yet another four years of unending combat is overtly an emotional nag—the impulse to fight, flee, freeze, or appease. Indeed, many people exhibit increased levels of anxiety, depression, panic, and even a sense of disconnection or numbness. This emotional burden, especially in its cumulative development, is traumatic for individuals and an entire community.
- Feeling Powerless in a Fragmented Society: Perhaps one of the most daunting challenges to be faced is the feeling of helplessness that can often accompany the fear felt by an election. Helping individuals understand that much of this is out of their sphere of influence can bring a sense of hopelessness. For those who voted—in many ways, passionately—and/or campaigned through, it is quite discouraging. Possibly even as disheartening as feeling powerless in a world that appears more divided and combative.
Ways to Acknowledge and Process Post-Election Anxiety
First, it is important to allow ourselves emotions: to feel afraid or angry, to acknowledge your grief, without minimizing those reactions. It makes perfect sense to feel the weight and hopelessness that surrounds us. Naming those feelings can be a vital first step to finding one’s way through them. Here are some ways to get through those feelings:
- Allow Yourself to Recognize and Accept Your Emotions: Acknowledging your feelings is a small act that can be extremely powerful. That it is okay to say things like, “I’m scared,” or “I feel hopeless.” Accepting these emotions doesn’t mean giving in to them; it means allowing them space and time so that they will not keep circling in your mind. Write down your feelings and share them with a person you trust, or turn them into something creative, like poetry. It is often a good thing to be open about how one’s feeling, as it can create a sense of stability during moments when one feels deeply scared.
- Limit Your Exposure to Triggering Media: Being current is vital, but the stream of political news is endless with few respites, and it’s difficult to take time off to rest. Consider setting some limits to your news and social media consumption, at least for the time being. It’s not about turning a blind eye to the world around us; rather, it’s about allowing ourselves the time and space to reflect and nurture our well-being amidst the overwhelming influx of troubling news.
- Engage with Communities Sharing Your Interest: Being alone can increase those feelings of despair. Having friends, family members, or communities that mirror your concerns can help you not feel as if you are facing this all by yourself. It can be a great source of comfort to connect with other people. This may be through support groups, local events, or calling to speak with a friend who understands—this will help remind you that you are not alone in how you feel.
- Recognize Your Boundaries and Take Time to Grieve: It is more than okay if one is not ready to “do something” or immediately put on a brave face. Permit yourself to grieve as long as you want. Time off from work, cancellation of plans, or allowance to just sit with your feelings is acceptable. Sometimes, allowing yourself to feel hopeless without finding the need to correct it can bring about your inner strength.
- Finding Small Acts of Resilience in Uncertain Times: At times of hardship, hope seems to fade. And yet, it is within the smallest of acts that a person may claim back some sense of control, however minor. It is not a question of “fixing” anything or triumphing over fear, but of finding ways of staying grounded and connected.
- Practice Small Acts of Kindness: Sometimes, helping a friend, taking on a volunteer commitment, or just small ways of being there for others can be remarkable reminders of our ability to make a difference. This is an area where even the smallest gestures are not small at all, given that the world seems overwhelming on occasion; even the little things remain in concert with your values of caring and support.
- Reconfirm Your Values: It is easy to feel disillusioned with systems that appear unfair, and yet your core values do not have to waver because of other circumstances. Reconnecting with what matters most to you—whether it be justice, compassion, strength, or equality—can provide you with a sense of grounding. Regardless of whether the greater systems reflect these values or not, you have a choice as to how to live them in your life in your unique way.
- Focus Your Energy on Local or Concrete Change: Focus on issues in your community that might provide a sense of what might be possible to change. Joining a local organization, attending community events, or participating with neighbors in some goal can make you feel both part of and consequential in your community. Change in national politics often feels impossible; however, that at the local level oftentimes goes unnoticed far too often.
- And of course, don’t forget about past patterns: Remembering that history has faced difficult periods before doesn’t diminish the validity of our fears. In challenging times, social movements, resilience, and the strength of community have frequently thrived. This doesn’t imply that “everything will be okay,” but it serves as a reminder that individuals and communities possess a strength that often surpasses their feelings during challenging times.
Awakened Path Counseling: Creating Space for Real Conversations and Support
Dealing with these difficult emotions can become very exhausting; the burden of post-election stress can be a heavy weight to bear alone. Awakened Path Counseling is here for you. We would like to make sure you have a place where you can express all your emotions, whether that includes fear, hopelessness, anger, or confusion. In this regard, we try to acknowledge your experience wholly and will refrain from telling you to “stay positive.” We want to offer a safe place where you can share understanding and work through the way you feel right now without judgment.
- Creation of Space for Vulnerability: We know the sharing of feelings/profiles of fear and despair since the election is difficult to share. Awakened Path is a friendly space to which you may come and share your concerns, be those pressing anxieties or more profound fears related to what may come.
- Discovering Grounding Techniques for Anxiety: Election stress can heighten feelings of panic and anxiety, our team will work with you to provide personalized tools for grounding and calming techniques to help you navigate these emotions. We will collaborate to discover strategies to help you feel more grounded during these challenging times.
- Fostering Personal and Community Strength: Although significant change may seem daunting, we assist clients in discovering methods to remain aligned with their values and connected to their communities. Through small acts of advocacy and the rediscovery of personal strengths, we aim to support you in uncovering resilience while acknowledging the pain.
- Creating Sustainable Activism and Self-Care Strategies: To those who want to make a change yet are afraid of burnout, we point out the necessity of creating sustainable methods of activism. We care about you and are committed to supporting you in your journey to find a balance between self-care and fighting for a better world.
If the recent election has left you feeling unsettled, despondent, or concerned, remember that Awakened Path Counseling is here for you. You are not alone in this fear. Let’s work together to find strategies for managing stress, acknowledging your feelings, and ultimately empowering you to move forward with the strength required for whatever lies ahead.
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