What a crazy last few weeks it has been.
What a crazy last few months it has been.
What a year it has been.
Regardless of political views, I think it's safe to say that last week was a major anxiety spike for most people in the United States—and those in other parts of the world following along.
What I noticed most was that the election anxiety wove it's way into other parts of my life, such as my relationship anxiety and my work.
I personally found it…
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harder to focus
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easier to procrastinate
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harder to feel optimistic
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easier to get stuck thinking negatively, and feel hopeless/existential
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harder to get myself motivated to move my body, journal, or meditate
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easier to feel lethargic and lazy
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harder to feel empathy and love towards others with different views
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easier to react + feel frustrated towards others with different views (clearly did not take my own advice shared in last week's blog post about reactivity...)
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harder to give and receive love to my partner, Nate
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easier to withdraw and feel distanced
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harder to avoid the news and social media
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easier to get distracted from my to-do list and sucked in to the news and social media
Four years ago, I do not feel like I would have been able to handle this emotional roller-coaster with the same grace and understanding towards myself.
But this election season, I tried to give myself permission slips.
Permission slips:
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to let myself feel everything
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to not judge the feelings
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to know that the feelings are only temporary
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to not be 'perfect' with my weekly routine
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to share my feelings openly on social media + not keep them hidden for fear of what others think
And I have to say, as I write this on Sunday 11/8, I feel proud of how I showed up last week.
I showed up imperfectly, and was okay with it.
I didn't stay stuck in self-judgment, which is a common theme for myself.
And I'd say that is a huge shift + win.
So this upcoming week—amidst all of the news, amidst all of the things you have do, amidst all of the feelings you're [still] feeling [because while the election is 'over' there is still a looming uncertainty and transition period]—I hope you can give yourself permission slips.
Permission slips:
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to do what best serves you mentally + emotionally; be it more rest, or getting back into a routine
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to feel all of the feelings
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to log off of social media, or the news outlets for 24-48 hours...I'm personally going to take some Instagram scrolling breaks this week
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to laugh, cry, release...
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to give + receive love
Rooting for you this week!
Love,
Sarah
