Hitting a collective nerve
How pacing brings perspective after the US election
I’m relatively new to Substack.
Most of my posts get a handful of likes and responses. So, it was startling when a New Yorker cartoon I recently shared on Notes took off like wildfire, with (at the time of this article) over 7000 likes, and many restacks and comments.
Clearly, the content hit a nerve.
As folks unhappy with the US election take stock, many are conflicted about the news. As a psychologist, I have seen clients who obsessively doom-scroll and project their worst fears well into the future.
I understand those fears. The cartoon’s caption summarized what many people are feeling: how do I stay involved but also protect myself from too much anxiety and anger?
Managing this dilemma
Here’s what I’m trying (and what my least-anxious clients are doing as well):
Identify news sources I fully trust.
Check the news when I have time and energy — not before an important meeting or when I’m tired or if I’m discouraged about something else.
Limit my exposure so that it is not too overwhelming. Only consume a small amount of news at any one time.
Avoid conflict with others about the election, Trump’s appointments, or concerns about the future.
Remember that those with different opinions are not so different from me; even if I disagree with them, I know they chose what they thought was best.
Consider plans going forward. Consider where will I invest my time, energy, and money if I want to support a particular position or cause.
Remember basic self-care: sleep, nutrition, exercise, relationships, calming practices, and healing, restorative imagery.
As I wrote prior to the election, as both a Nation and as individuals, we need to work toward finding common ground. Not an easy task. But doable and necessary.
Wishing you all a peaceful transition through this complicated time.
Please share with others, hit the “like” button, and let me know your thoughts, opinions, or ideas in the comments section below!
A very gentle writing and lovely article, thanks a lot.
It is not easy to manage in this environment. Who is lying to us and who is telling the truth.? How long have we been lied to? How do you navigate and be mentally healthy in this environment?
There are a lot of assumptions being made that may or may not be true. Are your assumptions correct? Are mine? The news is not helpful it is harmful by design yet we are using it as a guidepost which it is not. When I read this cartoon I thought of all the truths we aren’t told and how are we to cope with that reality.