step 1:
scream. mentally or into a pillow also work.
step 2:
if aloud, tell everyone it was just because i told you to, it’s my fault, it’s fine, everything is fine. otherwise, proceed to step 3.
step 3:
if you need to do that again, really, it’s ok
Additional Survival Plan Steps:
- Assemble your group chat. If you don’t have a group chat this is the time you think of two people who can now be chatted with and you text them and say, “hey, can we text each other to help each other get through the election?” and I can guarantee they’re going to be relieved.
- If you’re reading this at least a day beforehand, try to get your FOOD for November 5-7th ahead of time. You can order it, stick it in the fridge, then heat it up. You can get a frozen pizza. If you’re the take and bake type, you can get it.
- GET YOUR TRASHY SNACKS
- Get all of the trashy snacks. Oreos, Twizzlers
- Listen to your gut. If your gut says ” log off the internet!” then listen. Go outside, go for a walk. If your gut says “follow along every single step” then give yourself permission to do it. Honestly just listen to your gut and give yourself permission to cope however you need to do that. It’s ok. It’s ok to change your mind, too. You don’t have to impress anyone else.
Remember that… we’ll figure out what to do, after the fact, and worrying won’t change anything.
I don’t want to say anything too calming about how it’s going to be ok, because honestly? I’m a pretty darned privileged person and a Trump presidency is rightfully a terrifying thing. It’s truly, quite rightfully, a terrifying thing.
Remember that even if he’s elected, though, that he’s just a man, and people are mad right now, and we still have a functioning government.
He’s just a man. Write that down if it resonates.
He represents a lot, but he’s just a man, who regularly falls asleep at important meetings and loses his train of thought.
Additionally there have never been more Republican DEFECTORS from Trumpism than there are right now. Worth saying again. There have never been more Republican DEFECTORS from Trumpism than there are right now.
So his “bark” may be a lot, but his bite? Is much more of a gummy one than it ever was before. He doesn’t have power the way he used to.
Even if elected, he will NEVER have the power and control he once did. Never.
The uprisings have uprisen many people who have remained in that state. If elected, he will not have an easy time.
4. Consider preparing something to celebrate with, if Kamala wins. Sparkling cider, or champagne. The trashy snacks can also serve this purpose.
5. Write down a list of what you’ll do to care for yourself, if Trump wins. Have this list ready. Literally write it down. Suggestions: text your chat, bubble bath, go outside and walk, disconnect from the internet for a while. Don’t forget to shower, eat, and turn the light off when it’s time to sleep.
If you struggle with a dependency and are concerned you may slide back into it due to the stress, now is a good time to reach out to your support buddy if you have one, and make a plan to check in regularly the next few weeks.
6. Additionally, write down a list of what you’ll do to care for others, if Trump wins: If you have friends who you know will be uniquely terrorized by his election, write their names down here. Check on them as soon as you’re able to, in the coming days. If you are able to participate in activism, you can also write down ideas of what you might look into. Some of my favorite people to look towards in this area are Mary Trump and Robert Reich. Both have socials that will help with processing/figuring out what to do concretely.
7. Expect that it may take several days to get official results; hence the plan to cover Nov 5-7th. Of course it might even go beyond that, but we can hope that’s all it will be. Expect there to be a huge adrenaline rush, and then a lack of resolution, likely that first night of Nov 5th.
You really need a 3 day plan, and to be pleasantly surprised if it takes less time. Don’t schedule difficult things for that next week. Reschedule any that are currently there that you can.
Plan food, plan sleep- staying up all night won’t change who is elected. Plan distractions, and use that group chat. Get outside if you can. Put your shoes by the door, water bottle, etc.
When I feel stressed out about it, one of the things that helps me is thinking about other people around the world who are suffering in ways much worse than anything I’ve ever vaguely faced in my life. Not to negate the stress, but to remember that there are ways to cope with stressful things. I’ve become accustomed to trusting my government- this is unheard of in much of the world. I’ve become accustomed to feeling safe.
Anyway I feel like… I don’t want to negate terror, while also putting it into perspective, that there are many people who live in much, much, much worse conditions. It’s not negating, but a both and kind of thing. Both and. People find ways to survive, to change their boundaries sometimes about what they get emotionally invested in.. every place is a totally different story, of course, too. Honestly the fact that it shakes me AT ALL to consider Trump being elected tells me how privileged/fortunate/nice we have it in the US, to regularly believe in our country and our leaders. To expect them to be ethical at all.
Obviously we want to uphold those standards. I’m just saying… it feels like “life or death” to a lot of people and I think it can be helpful to both acknowledge the validity of that feeling, while also knowing there will be life on the other side, and we’ll face it together, somehow. Both and.
As for me, I have no idea what I’m going to do. My strategy has been to “vote and close my eyes”- to just pretend that there is no election. I’ll probably alternate between that attitude and simply watching every single second of national coverage. Probably a back and forth. *shrug*
If Kamala wins I’m SO ready to celebrate. I’ll probably want to dance. A first woman President in the US? A BLACK WOMAN President!?!?!? Hell yes. Just the fact that she is running and in the position she’s in currently is so incredible.
Alright I’ve got to stop writing.
Deep breaths. One day at a time. There will probably be lots of hmm and hawing. Lots of accusations of “unfair!” It will probably take a while for there to be a state of resolution. Focus on your self care, focus on your friends and family if they’re there.
Give yourself lots of grace.
I’m so scared!
LOLL SOB
♥️
