It is October 2024 and America is about to elect a new president. Donald Trump (and JD Vance) or Kamala Harris (and Tim Walz), that’s the choice. Most but not all Americans are planning to vote in this election. A record number already have voted: mail in and early voting numbers are at a record high. (This weekend, early voting started in my state. The Town of Brunswick parking lot was packed, cars edged the streets, the line of people was out door and snaked along the side walk. Impressive turnout.)

This presidential election is heated, divisive and close: Basically half the country says they will vote for Trump/Vance and half says they will vote for Harris/Walz. Truly horrible things have been said and done in the name of democracy this election season. Whatever the outcome of the presidential election, the majority of folks are going to feel unsettled and many are going to be down right pissed.

In this crazy time, what do I care about? Believe it or not, I care about you. I want you to be okay. (Actually I want more than okay for you, I want you to thrive. But first things first: I’ll take ‘okay’ for now.)

What is your Post Election Survival Plan?

I ask because I think we individually and collectively need one. I know I do.

Every year, winter is a challenging time for most folk, especially in the northern states. Mental health and physical wellness are stressed by the weather, time indoors, decreased sunlight and seasonal illnesses, not to mention holidays, families, and taxes due. Now we are adding a historically stressful presidential election. This is a lot! The stress of this election will not make the dark season better, and being on the other side of the election won’t bring comfort or solace to America as a whole. Whichever candidate wins, there will be a lot of tension (there’s an understatement).

So I wonder, what is your plan? If you are like most folks that I have asked, you don’t really have one. At least not yet.

As I have been pondering this over the last few weeks, I have put together a list, my post election survival tool. I’ve been writing, adding, sharing, and practicing, so I’ll be ready on Election Eve. I  know my self well enough to know that I need a plan – a written list with suggestions to keep me doing my okayest. With a plan, and a good tool, I hope to do even better than just ‘okay’.

Humor me -Grab a pen or open the Note section of your phone and spend a couple minutes creating a Post Election Survival Tool. Yep, you can make your very own PEST to help you get through the next months, no matter who wins the election.

Quick: Jot down things that make you feel cozy and safe.

Start writing before you start thinking.

Write down:

  • Things that help you feel safe and secure, maybe even joyful
  • Practices that give you a creative outlet
  • Traditions that connect you to purpose and community
  • People that nourish you -body, mind and spirit
  • Your favorite beverage or silly TV show

Did you start yet?  Do it! I’ll wait…

When writing my own list, I didn’t find any surprises but I did uncover some “ bad” habits that are becoming, uh, habitual. So I’m working on those now.

Eating dinner at the dining room table, preferably by candlelight, soothes my soul and settles my stomach. But oh, it’s so easy to eat in front of the TV with an intriguing show entertaining my brain. I’m practicing slow dinners now.

Tucking myself into bed with a good book while my “smart” phone rests facedown after its busy day is much better for my sleep than endless scrolling. That will be even more true post election. I’m practicing putting my phone to sleep now.

Melting into hugs and kisses, letting the edges of my self blur and soften is incredibly intimate, important and yet easily rushed through. Kevin and I are practicing long hugs and slow kisses.

How’s your list going?

Did you write anything yet?

Here is your homework: do it fast, do it sloppy, but do it! You are worth the time and energy. Future You is counting on your consideration and preparation.

Post Election Survival Tool Creation

    • Jot down ideas
    • Neaten the up the ideas into a list
    • Keep it simple, soothing, and doable
    • Be honest about your needs, resources and abilities
    • Both in the creation and the utilization of your PEST, extend grace to yourself and your community.

That’s not so bad, right?

Here is my PEST (I am growing to love the acronym). It’s just one example and it is just mine but maybe some items will work for you or help clarify things you like or don’t: maybe you cannot stand hot chocolate and love matcha whereas I like them both.

Michelle’s PEST

    • Daily hot tub time
    • TV free evenings
    • Cell phone free bedroom
    • Do crafts
    • Do cooking projects
    • Mend stuff
    • Purge things
    • Meditate daily
    • Long hugs and slow kisses
    • Weekly dinner gathering
    • Make popcorn
    • Make hot chocolate
    • Have cozy corners
    • Write…
    • Read aloud
    • Sing along with radio
    • Send cards/snail mail
    • Fam Jams (Zoom hangout time)
    • Dinners out (or in) with friends
    • Matcha lattes
    • Cozy sweaters
    • Fresh flowers and blooming plants

Let’s all make a plan and work on our tools, so that we can do our okayest (and just maybe we will do better than that). We are in this together for the long haul.

See you, and your PEST, on the other side. ❤

 

Michelle

May all babies be born into loving hands