Tuesday Triggers
For many of us, Tuesday’s presidential election result was not only devastating, but also a huge trigger for survivors of sexual abuse. I am not going to go into all the reasons why Trump is one of the worst things to happen to our country and deeply reviled by the survivor community, but what I will go into is how we can maintain our personal sanity.
First, we all need a laugh. I could not focus on work Tuesday so I created this video on Tiktok called, “POV: Election Day Stress Eating & Drinking!” 😆 The stress eating struggle is real, I actually work very hard mentally and emotionally to curb a lot of the junk food cravings and post-work cocktails, while working at home, it is not always easy! As my therapist always says, “Be gentle with yourself.” 💕
Check out my Tiktok reel:
Now for some mental health reminders:
Breathe: I have been using the app Insight Timer to help me with some guided meditations because I have not been able to focus very well this week. I really enjoy this free one Morning Meditation with Music.
Take a break from the news: Although we need to be informed on what happens in the world, it is also important to realize how headlines can be extremely triggering and manipulative (and as a publicist, I have to analyze this daily!). Turn off Google News, delete the Apple News app, take a break from CNN and just allow yourself a bit of serenity for the next few days. And don't worry, if shit hits the fan again, you'll learn about it from a friend, relative or neighbor soon enough, so being "out of the news cycle loop" for 24 hours or even a few days is okay.
Safe conversations: Not everyone in your family or social circles has the same political views as you, and that can be challenging when you want to vent and talk things out. Pick and choose the right people and times to have open conversations (no judgment zone convos) about how you feel. Sometimes, you don't even have the words to describe it. You can just say, "Hey, I am still processing this news, I don't even know what to say, just wanted you to know mentally I am not in a great space." Many people are feeling the same, even if they aren't the first to admit it.
You can take action: If there is a pain point about Donald Trump for which you want to advocate, when the time is right for you, figure out what part (big or small) you can play in trying to make a difference. Maybe it is donating to an organization dedicated to social justice (find a comprehensive list here). Whatever it is, take your time figuring it out and then take some joy in knowing that you are not going to let anyone stop you from making our world a better place, one step at a time.
Stay strong, never give up!
Nubia
Σχόλια