If this is your first election Congratulations on exercising your right to vote! If you are unable to vote, know you can make a difference in your community in other ways.

Election time can be scary. There is a lot of information and statistics thrown at us constantly, a lot of bickering and fact checking and re-fact checking and it can be exhausting to be a media consumer around these times. It can feel dehumanizing to watch the demographic or culture you belong to being critiqued and debated while the world watches. And yes, these people may control legislature, but us lay people create the culture and environment by how we speak, behave, and advocate in our day to day lives and for those around us. This advice from Madison Franz, a Florida Gulf Coast University Student in 2020, gave some great advice for affirmations during and post-election. They stay relevant today in 2024.

I know I’ve done my part. 

Voting is the way we get to exercise our right to be heard. Voting in the U.S. if you are able is the definition of doing your part. Donating, volunteering, and spreading the word are also great alternative ways to do your part!

I know that there are still good people in this world.

It is easy with the polarizing culture of election season to feel hopeless about the good of the people. But it’s important to remember that if someone like you cares, someone else probably does too.

I will show up for my neighbors who are hurting.

Supporting those around you who are hurting as a direct result of the election or those that are emotionally hurting from anxiousness is another way to show up. You helping your loved ones and those around you, by showing the support you are genuinely capable of is important.

I know that hope is not lost.

The sun will rise. Publix will still be open, and have pub subs. Your dog will still greet you, tail wagging at the door. Your holidays will still occur. Live in those small moments too, not just the big picture ones.

I know that I have the power to do good beyond the election. 

Being open to changing my mind and being willing to have difficult conversations gives us the power to do good. We talk and can do good. We listen and can do good. We can advocate for those who are not present in the conversation and do good on their part too. These conversations can be draining, and it is important to remember to check in with yourself. When you are no longer capable of holding space for the speaker, listening to what they are saying, or feel too hurt by the talk, speak your truth. Care for you.

I will focus on the present.

Sunsets, Halloween horror nights, pumpkin flavored everything, and a slight chill in the air. Your favorite song on repeat. Calling a friend to talk. Focusing on your breathe. Listen to your heart beat or the sounds of crunchy leaves or cars as they pass by. Just Be. You do not always have to be doing. You can Just Be too. That’s enough.

I realize that I am not responsible for other people reactions.

Someone may be upset by your vote and someone else may be encouraged.  You cannot control the reactions of those around you, but you can control how you interact with them, whether you choose to walk away or start a conversation out of curiosity, someone else’s thoughts and feelings are not your responsibility, in or out of election season.

It is not my job to single-handedly save the nation. 

And it is not your job because you can’t. 🙂 Focus on your circle of influence, having conversations, staying educated, and informed, and be willing to be curious and change your mind.

I realize that it’s okay not to have the answers. 

You will not have a rebuttal for every conversation. You will not always know the right question to ask. You may be so irate or surprised that you are at a loss for words.

I will choose love. 

Vote with love. Speak with love. Not just for yourself, but for others too. You, because you are you, have opportunities to have conversations with people that others would not. That’s your power.

Vote like you love those around you.

Making a difference does not start or end at the polls; it starts in the relationships you have, and the people you interact with on a day-to-day basis. Have hard conversations when you can, and when you cannot, remember it’s okay, because it is not ALL on your shoulders.

If you found this helpful and want to learn more about regulating your thoughts, feelings and increasing self-care in or out of election season, please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed mental health counselors.

Resources:

Madison Franz, from FGCU The Narrative “we’re aligning the voices and writers of Florida Gulf Coast University to change the narrative”, 2020 https://www.theodysseyonline.com/election-anxiety-2020/1-i-know-that-ive-done-my-part.