I've been sort of a mess since Inauguration Day.
I was crushed when Donald Trump won the presidential election last November, but after a few days of mourning, I...disassociated? Deflected? Lived in my own sort of la la land? A trip abroad, the holidays, and a few cozy snowstorms helped keep me happily distracted.
Then it came. January 20th.
I couldn't help myself: I turned on the news coverage. Once upon a time, I loved politics, and I still enjoy studying history. I appreciate tradition and the pomp and circumstance of cherished ceremonies.
But excluding a giggly President George W. Bush (adorable) and Usha Vance's lovely pink coat, most of the morning just made me so darn angry. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Donald Trump refused to participate in the last inauguration. He refused to peacefully transfer power. He was the biggest of babies—you know, if babies could incite angry mobs to descend upon the Capitol—and America re-elected him for it.
I turned off the TV and painted my office pink. I bought a disco ball planter.
But, I obviously can't spend these next four years painting and buying sparkly things.
So, how to cope?
In complete transparency, I'm still figuring this out myself. My heart hurts, and I feel dizzy with the injustices and abuses of power occurring on a daily basis. But here are some things that I think will help me get by. I also believe they're all pretty terrific ways to say "no, thank you!" to this current administration and fight the hate and fear they like to perpetuate.
Be kind. Be loving. Be open-minded. (Friendly reminder that just because you don't understand something or haven't experienced it yourself does not mean it is inherently "wrong.")
Read more books, especially those written by people who are different than me.
Get outside every day.
Stay off social media for a while.
Listen to high positive frequency music to raise my vibration. (Thank you, Emily!)
Meditate.
Learn a new skill. (I'm going to study screenwriting myself. I've always wanted to give it a go.)
Have a "this is when we leave" plan.
Trust me, I know this sounds dramatic. But with Donald Trump reversing decades of civil rights progress in a mere week, it's frightening to think what he is capable of achieving, especially since he has surrounded himself with loyalists and no longer has any guard rails. It might bring you some relief to have a Plan B in your back pocket or at least a final straw, to to speak.
It's a difficult balance, isn't it? Making sure you aren't putting your head in the sand but also not inundating yourself with dire headlines? It's hard.
Trust your gut, and take care of yourself, friends. <3
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