Heavy.
In the wake of defeat, there is still hope
Friends, if you’re reading this you may feel heavy. You may be feeling emotionally in disarray— disappointed, confused, angry, scared, resentful, or even powerless. The election did not yield the outcome many of us hoped for and we are experiencing a collective injury that’s triggering responses of anger, aggression, avoidance, or numbness. Although we may not be able to change the outcome, I charge all of us to take this opportunity to uplift and support one another in this time of grief. As a collective, we are far more powerful and impactful than we know— and it is our responsibility to empower our children, our communities, and the next generations to be change agents for a more united and prosperous future.
In the meantime, I urge you to take good care of yourselves this week. Recognize and honor that you’ve done your part and that’s more than enough. Here are some additional tools to help you cope:
Acceptance: Acknowledge your feelings as valid. Recognize what you are feeling without judgement. Do a body scan to also identify what you may be feeling physiologically in response to your emotions.
Challenge your Thoughts: While your feelings are valid, they are not facts. Try to separate your negative thoughts viewing them as temporary experiences rather than absolute truths.
Be Present: The outcome will cause us to ruminate on potential consequences and what ifs. Allow yourself to be present in the moment of what is happening right now and what is within your control.
Clarify your Values: Election outcomes may not align with our personal beliefs. Take time to clarify and review what really matters to you and using that as your guide to inspire constructive ways to mobilize change.
Commit to Action: Use this as an opportunity to take small, value-driven actions. Channel your disappointment into activities aligned with your values and beliefs (i.e., joining advocacy groups, volunteering, or cultivating supportive communities.)
Overall friends, this is not the end. We have an immeasurable power to influence our local communities and networks to shape a future that aligns with justice, morality, and truth. But more importantly, we can demonstrate our character through our kindness despite opposition and remain hopeful that brighter days will come.
↳ Pause for Introspection
Reflect on your values, ask yourself:
What really matters to me (and my family)?
What is within my control right now?
What could be a “best case scenario” despite the outcome?
Journal or share in the comments.
↳ Resources
Need some additional support this season?
Check out these therapy directories below:
Therapy for Black Girls
Psychology Today
OpenPath Collective
Headway
Talkspace
Friends, that’s all for today. If you have any specific topics or questions you would like addressed in a future issue, please drop a comment or send a message. I’d love to know what you need to get well.
xo, Gaddy.