Issue #87: Protecting Your Peace During Election Season

A lesson on being more mindful of what you consume and choose to engage in.

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In 2008, I was a wild 20-year-old college student who was excited about not only voting for the first time but also voting for who would potentially become the first Black President of the United States. On voting day, I woke up at the crack of dawn and headed to the polls excited to cast my vote. I was young, naive, and not fully educated on American politics but like many other Black Americans, I was hopeful.

I will never forget the night that it was announced that President Obama won. I walked out of my college apartment into the cold to see the entire neighborhood cheering and singing, “My President is Black..” in the street. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.

We did it!

I DID IT!

And four years later, we were able to celebrate another term. While America was and still is a 💩 show, we remained hopeful.

And then 2016 happened.

At this time I was 28, a lot wiser, and a lot more aware of my country's mess. Leading up to the night that “he who shall not be named” won, I spent every day anxiously waiting for the election to unravel as one big prank. The anxiety that I felt during that time, knowing that there were people close to me who supported this idiot, kept me in a constant state of panic. 2016 didn’t bring out the worst in people, it showed who they really are.

Hatred, sexism, and racism poured out online. Lies, scandals, and idiotic opinions took over the news.

I found myself swept up in it all. We spent eight years seemingly correcting our wrongs. How could all hell be breaking loose now? And how could someone so stupid and hateful be voted in to lead our country?

There would be a gloomy cloud over the U.S. for another four years.

And now in 2024, the gloom and anxiety are back. (Or did it ever leave?)

But unlike I was in 2016, this year I’m prepared to protect my peace as much as I possibly can. Election season, no matter how much we try to avoid it can do a number on our mental health and nervous system. And I refuse to allow politics to control my mood again.

So how can we protect our peace during this election season and all the election seasons to come? It’s simple.

Be mindful of what you consume and decide to engage in. Period.

The news right now is geared towards pointing out the worst in each opponent or what is click-worthy. Social media is full of bored people who have nothing else going on for themselves but starting arguments online in hopes of going viral.

You have more control than you may believe. Turn off the news and political commentary and watch some cartoons. Delete the social media apps from your phone instead of doom-scrolling. Spend that time doing activities that fill your cup or around people who spark joy.

Constantly sitting with a heightened nervous system every single day is doing nothing but causing us physical and mental harm. Elections are important, but not as important as your wellbeing.

Now I’m not saying that you shouldn’t vote or do your research on who to vote for. I’m saying be very aware of how certain content outlets or conversations make you feel and remember that it is ok to walk away.

Cheers to a restful week!

– Alisha

GOOD FINDS

WATCHING: Natasha Rothwell’s new series “How To Not Die Alone” is literal TV perfection!

READING: So this past week it hit me that I am a really slow reader. I am still making my way through “You Are A Badass” but I’ve committed to reading at least 1-2 chapters a day so that I can move on!

LOVING: Bullet journaling and new stationery! I recently wrote a list in my notes app of all the things that bring me joy. New journals and ink pens were at the top of the list. So I went to Target picked up a few items and have been digging into the world of bullet journaling. Here’s the journal that I picked up.

LISTENING: This episode of The Sister Circle podcast where Shameless Maya shares her journey to getting to know God.

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