Today is Election Day. Many of us are worried about the after-effects of the election, regardless of the results. For trans and nonbinary folks, and others with marginalized identities, it feels like a lot is at stake, both depending on who is elected and how the general public responds. For trauma survivors, this might be an even more tumultuous time of year.
Some of us may have the support of our communities during this time. Some of us may be living in unsupportive or abusive households where we are unable to express our feelings about the election. Wherever you are, you deserve safety and connection.
There are many things we can do to feel safer and more connected with our communities during election time. While not all of these ideas will be applicable to everyone, we hope that finding a few strategies can help you to feel more prepared, whatever the outcome.
Safety planning
Safety planning includes thinking ahead about possible scenarios and planning how we will respond, and what we need to be safer. Depending on your specific concerns, your safety plan might look different from others.
If you’re concerned about going out immediately following the election (for example, if you’ve had anti-trans, anti-immigrant, or anti-reproductive rights protests in your area), you might consider asking a friend to help you meet your needs (picking up groceries, giving you a ride instead of taking the bus, or just going with you so you don’t have to be alone).
Think about the resources or people in your life you can reach out to for different kinds of support (emotional support, practical support, spiritual support, etc.). Who will you have on speed dial for when you need to vent, problem solve, or process? If there isn’t a specific person in your life you would feel comfortable reaching out to, are there hotlines or warmlines you can call for immediate/crisis support?
Building community
Getting or staying connected with others is one way we can buffer the impacts of stress and anxiety around the election, and take care of one another in the future. Some people might attend “election parties”–think about if other gatherings not focused on the election might serve as a helpful distraction. This could look like having a game night, cooking with family, or watching a show with someone virtually.
Asking for what we need can be difficult, but it also allows the people in our lives the opportunity to support us. This recent blog post explores some of the barriers many of us feel when reaching out, and how we can share with others the kinds of help we need.
If you have the resources to do so, contributing to mutual aid funds or volunteering locally has a direct impact on folks in our local communities. These are also great ways to find out about actions you might want to get involved in, like staffing food pickup sites or participating in letter-writing parties, or getting connected with others working for change.
Healing
The election feels very personal for many of us, and may have emotional and tangible repercussions. How can we balance our need for staying informed with taking care of physical and emotional needs?
You don’t need to be tuned-in all the time; it’s okay to unplug and take a break from election news. You might consider taking some time away from the phone/computer to try a meditation practice. If this isn’t for you, there are plenty of other ways to get grounded, like making art, listening to music, or spending time outside. You might plan something fun for election night to look forward to, like ordering from your favorite restaurant, or playing that video game you’ve been looking forward to.
Even in times of political upheaval, you are deserving of self-care and joy. There are many ways you can get involved with your community and get involved with organizing and mutual aid. It’s also okay to slow down, reset, and remind yourself of those activities that bring you calm and ease. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
Nov 5, 2024.