On November 6, 2024, the day after Election Day, the American minority grieved the loss of their vision for the future. Many suddenly felt afraid, troubled, and powerless. Over a week later, they continue to struggle with their emotions and to find a way to move forward.
Some have felt unsafe expressing their feelings. Thus, they have suffered alone.
For this reason, I want to share how I have dealt with Kamala Harris’ loss to Donald Trump. I trust doing so will support those who feel challenged, alone, afraid, or stuck.
The Day After
The day after the 2024 U.S. election, I mourned.
I wore black.
I was angry.
I was scared.
I was disappointed.
Why? Because more than half of Americans chose to vote for someone whose values, ethics, and morals represents the opposite of those I hold dear and those I believed the majority of U.S. citizens held as well. Until that day, I had faith in Americans and their ability to elect someone worthy of the presidency who would uphold democracy and see the path to a better future for all.
So, I shared my feelings on Facebook despite knowing I’d get backlash, which I did. (I rarely post about politics or my political views on social media for this reason.) And I shared what others were sharing, taking heart in the fact that I was not alone and that other’s words could speak for me.
Then, I texted with friends. I reached out to my children and had conversations with friends and family.
I spoke about my feelings and listened to theirs. We all expressed our viewpoints and tried to understand those who voted differently and how they could have cast their votes as they did.
When asked to join a group conversation to commiserate, I declined. I knew I had spent enough time in the negative emotions and future casting. I had spent the entire morning focused on the election results and my feelings and thoughts about that outcome.
I was ready to move on as best I could.
Moving On
That’s my way.
Get it all out.
Process.
Then move forward with positive energy and outlook as quickly as possible.
So, I exercised. Moving my body helps me shift my energy and focus. The endorphins produced also changed my mood.
I showered and washed all that negativity and fear off.
I got dressed, did my hair, and put on makeup.
I went to my desk and focused my attention on being of service. Helping others helps me.
I coached the members of my Inspired Creator Community and Nonfiction Writers’ University programs and a college student. They all went deep into their challenges—but we kept the election out of the conversation. We took a deep dive into personal and spiritual growth.
Focusing My Attention
After those sessions, I made conscious decisions about where to focus my attention. And I chose to take intentional actions.
I committed to surrounding myself with people who are like-minded, conscious, growing, and positive. I made lunch dates with two friends.
After that, I turned my attention to the spiritual teachings and perspectives of those I trust. I also called on my own knowledge and intuition.
I became present to the possibility that this electoral outcome might be necessary for our evolution. Humanity is in the process of a massive transformation in consciousness (a significant topic I won’t go into here). We may have to experience true darkness before we live in the light. A few other spiritual teachers echoed this insight.
Over the next week, I was given opportunities to place my name on petitions and donate to groups that would fight for the rights of those the next administration might impact. I did that over and over again, trying to do my little bit…more than I should have possibly done before the election.
I was also given the chance to speak up and defend myself. I began to feel a moral responsibility to share my perspective and address those who felt the need to call me out for it. (More on this in my next post.)
Choosing Perspective.
We all see the world from our unique viewpoints. Yet, we can choose a perspective that helps us most at any given time.
At this point in my process, I reiterated what I had acknowledged in my earlier conversation. From my perspective, the next four years—possibly longer—have the possibility of being challenging in many ways. They could be scary for many, including some of my friends and family.
Despite my tendency to look at the positive side of things, I am not one to hide my head in the sand or be a Pollyanna. I watch the news; I stay informed.
However, I am someone who chooses to be realistic and see the truth of what is happening around me or in the world. At the same time, I also believe in possibility and positive outcomes and always try to find a silver lining (if I can).
Therefore, I chose—and continue to choose—to look to the light…to a potentially positive future.
Doing this made me feel better. It continues to make me feel better.
6 Ways to Process and Heal After the Election
I trust my experience and process serve some of you in a small way or give you permission to go through your own.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t leave you with some suggestions for moving through what, for many of us, has been a difficult and emotional week—and could be a difficult and emotional four years. Plus, I’d like to offer ways you might move forward into this next presidential term with a bit more ease and peace.
So, here they are:
1. Try to remain positive.
We create what we focus on, so try not to place your attention on fears and negative future projections for long.
We don’t know what will happen in the future. I admit that some of what I’ve written in this post is a negative projection. But I don’t do that all day long. I turn my attention to what is good in my life, feeling gratitude, loving my family and friends, and being of service to others.
2. Stay informed, but don’t over-consume news.
Knowing what is happening in your country and the world is important. But spend your time on something other than such reports. Over-consumption of news sets you up to feel anxious.
Pick and choose what information you consume and for how long. If you find the news upsetting, you can always take a break for as long as necessary.
3. Help in ways that feel comfortable to you.
We can all do our part to create change. Don’t let the fact that you tried with your vote and didn’t succeed stop you from continuing to try.
You don’t have to be an activist to put your name on petitions you believe will make a difference. You can send money to a political action committee or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
You can also volunteer for local organizations that support population groups whose rights are in danger.
Or increase your vibration by finding ways to feel good. Your energy has a ripple effect and can help shift the collective energy.
4. Be a force for good.
I won’t tell you to love and accept anyone or anything. Recognizing and pointing out lies and wrongdoing can be a way of doing good in the world if done with love. And you have the right to set boundaries around who you let into your life.
And I’m not going to tell you to stop finding good in the world. It still exists. The more often you bring that to light, the more you help others see good.
The world needs light workers, healers, conscious entrepreneurs, spiritual teachers, and truth seekers now more than ever. So, focus on being a force for good.
5. Be good to yourself.
Follow Vivian’s (Julia Roberts) advice to her best friend in the movie Pretty Woman: “Take care of you.”
Be good to yourself. Allow yourself to feel all the feels. Engage in self-care. Spend time with people who can support and uplift you.
It’s okay to feel sad, disappointed, betrayed, worried, and like an outlier in a nation filled with so many who seem okay with the election results and the president-elect’s agenda.
I have felt all of that and still do to some extent. When the feelings arise again, I acknowledge, express, and process them. Then, I move on.
Stop wasting your energy on worry; instead, put it toward creating what you desire. Take bold action wherever possible.
Don’t stuff your emotions or drown them in food, alcohol, or drugs. Please, don’t get stuck in them either. Find ways to feel and process your feelings with a coach, therapist, friend, or support group.
Then, find a way to happiness, gratitude, and trust. If you don’t, you will sink into depression and hopelessness.
It’s impossible to be a light from that dark place. In fact, if you go there with your emotions and energy and remain stuck, you can’t be a force for good. Instead, you add to the collective dis-ease and negative vibration. If you can find ways to pull yourself up, you raise your energy, and humanity will feel that shift.
6. Speak up for what you believe.
Don’t let those who will criticize, judge, or threaten you stop you from speaking up. That is their way of keeping you quiet.
America needs people to speak up. Humanity needs more spokespeople.
I’m not telling you to stick your neck out if you fear for your life, job, or mental and emotional health. Again, “Take care of you.”
But if you have something to say and have the courage to say it, do so. Or support someone or an organization who can say it for you.
Be a Light of Optimism, Faith, Truth, and Service
Stand strong in your convictions, values, morals, and ethics. Believe me, I know this can feel hard, especially when so many are quick to react in ways that may feel judgmental. I am just learning to move past this.
But you are not alone. (I am here.)
Don’t let anyone tell you your feelings aren’t appropriate or that your political views are wrong. Don’t allow others to say you shouldn’t feel grief, fear, disappointment, anger, or hopelessness. Don’t let them tell you that you are not spiritual because of your perspective or feelings.
Be you.
Be a light.
Be a force for good.
I’ll end this post by quoting bits of Harris’ concession speech because I can’t say it any better.
“…it is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be okay…The important thing is don’t ever give up, don’t ever give up, don’t ever stop trying to make the world a better place…do not despair…I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time…let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars—the light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.”
Be a brilliant star.
How are you feeling after the 2024 U.S. election, and how can I support you? Comment below, and share this post with someone who might benefit from reading it.
And if you are struggling, reach out to me.
Image courtesy of feedough.
