First We Rest, Then We Resist - Post-Election Thoughts and Resources
I really struggled with what to write last week, so I decided to give myself some time and space to process my feelings and practice the self-care that I preach. This is a long one, so please bear with me and stick around for some helpful stuff at the end.
As a woman who has supported hundreds of other women, minorities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community through their health challenges, and as an auntie of 8 nieces, from a mixed race, mixed faith family, the last week has been heart wrenching for me.
For all of you who are feeling the gravity of this and facing an uncertain future, please know that you are seen and loved, and that I am standing with you!
And to you men who have made a stand to support women, girls, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community - thank you! Your voices are crucial, and we need you to be LOUD.
For many of us this is a time of fearing for our loved ones' wellbeing, and grieving the loss of what could have been a hopeful new chapter for our country. I'm not going to tell you that everything will be ok, because for many it won't.
There is a lot of toxic positivity floating around right now, and while I understand the desire to find a silver lining, it's not always helpful. We can always find light in the darkness, but it’s also important to feel and express your feelings.
I encourage you to allow the anger, sadness, and shock to move through your body and let yourself scream, or hit a pillow or a punching bag if possible. Suppressing emotions just makes it harder to process them and move forward, so try not to push them down.
There is a time to get back up and continue fighting for what's right, but we can't do that from a place of emotional and physical exhaustion. Take the time you need to rest, process, and get support, and then you can start thinking about action steps.
In times like this it's absolutely crucial to take good care of yourself, both mentally and physically, and I believe that caring for your body is an act of defiance and protest! For us women, I would even go as far as to say that prioritizing nutrition and fitness is an act of brazen, unapologetic feminism.
They may take away our rights, but they can't dictate how we treat ourselves. That's still up to us. By rejecting the messages that we are either not enough or too much and replacing that with self-acceptance and self-care, we get stronger in every way.
When we care for our bodies with water, nutritious food and movement, our mental health improves. We are less stress reactive, we sleep better and we have more energy, motivation, and mental clarity.
If we're healthy, we're more likely to have the strength and emotional energy to stand up to injustice and support our communities, animals, and the environment.
Malnourishment is one of the oldest tools of oppression. If people are undernourished, stressed and overworked (which much of the US is), they are more easily manipulated and controlled.
I mean how powerful could we be if we started saying "No More!" to ultra processed foods made by corporations that benefit from keeping people sick and addicted. What if we say no to fad diets, diet pills, diet foods, diet drinks, and calorie restriction, and instead used our energy and money to eat foods that truly NOURISH us?!
And what if we did it not to lose weight, or to be more attractive, or because we feel pressured to look a certain way, but because we f*ing deserve to be nourished, and to live in strong, healthy bodies that feel good?!
Not everyone has access to enough nutritious food, but for those of us who do, let's use it to our advantage so we are able to help others get access to it too!
And ladies, for the love of God, can we finally stop comparing ourselves, betraying each other, and holding women to higher standards than men? We've just seen this play out on a mass scale and damn, it's ugly. We deserve better from ourselves and one another.
Once you have allowed yourself enough time to rest and process, and you feel ready to take action, here are a few steps to consider taking (and more resources below):
Resist the urge to isolate (this is my tendency too) and seek out community because there is safety and power in numbers. Allow yourself to cry and process with your friends or in a safe space. Embrace movement, spend time in nature, Work on saying no to perfectionism and overworking, and saying yes to quality sleep, hydration and connecting with others who lift you up.
Limit Media & Social Media Exposure. Information overload and a constant stream of news and social media is a recipe for fatigue, anxiety and depression. Limit your exposure to trustworthy news sources only (check out the Ground News App below), and try to look at news only once daily for 15 minutes or less. Focus your time, energy, and finances on connecting with others and taking action when and where possible. Activism comes in many forms, so choose action steps that allow you to protect your energy and mental wellbeing.
Use your posture to send a message. Stand up straight and tall, and walk like you are NOT to be messed with (read more this great article). You’d be surprised at how effective this is! Move with purpose at a good clip, arms swinging by your sides, and avoid wearing headphones/ear buds when walking alone. Make direct eye contact with people as you pass because it shows that you've seen them and you're paying attention to your surroundings.
Get strong. Physical strength and mental fortitude go hand in hand. So if you want to feel more empowered and less vulnerable, strength training is your best friend. I also recommend taking a self-defense class, or learning Krav Maga or other martial art. You’ll feel stronger mentally and physically, and it’s a great way to release stress, sleep better, and improve your overall health. Carrying pepper spray or an alarm is a good idea as well, but make sure you know how to use them properly.
Protect your privacy and stay informed about local and federal laws. Avoid using apps to track your cycles or only use apps that protect your privacy. Depending on what state you live in, you may want to avoid keeping any records of your cycle whatsoever or telling anyone else about it.
Get your finances and records in order. Try to build an emergency fund and if possible, diversify your assets so you can be more financially resilient. Renew your passport, update your will, healthcare proxy, and any other legal documents that clarify your wishes and medical directives (this is especially important for same sex couples).
Resources for Self-Care, Good News, and Taking Action:
This free Tapping meditation for stress and anxiety - Tapping and other somatic practices can help release trauma, stress and anxiety on a cellular level.
Practice the 4-7-8 breathing exercise when you feel stressed or anxious.
For the first time, the U.S. Senate will have two black women
Stop the doom scrolling and get a dose of good news every day on Instagram.
Find a self-defense class (this link is for a Seattle search)
Check out the Goods Unite Us website and app to find out which brands you may want to boycott or support.
Grab Your Wallet - Grab Your Wallet helps you flex your economic power in ways that build a more just and caring society.
Ground News App - See media bias in action. Get independent bias ratings for all the major news outlets and see whether certain stories are mostly covered by the left, center or right.
The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber - Nadia is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, writer and speaker. Her substack The Corners, is described as “Grace for fuck-ups. Prayer for the impious. A space for spiritual misfits”, and it’s been a real shelter in the storm for me. I am finding this honest prayer helpful too (and not just on Mondays).
How to Spot a Bad Guy - A Comprehensive Look at Body Language and Pre-Assault Indicators
Body Language & Victim Selection: Why Walking Confidently Lowers Your Risk of Being Targeted
Non-Profit Resources / Charities:
The Brigid Alliance - A referral-based service that provides people seeking reproductive health care with travel, food, lodging, child care and other logistical support.
The Trevor Project - The Trevor Project offers several resources for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
Human Rights Campaign - The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.
HIAS - HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.
Charity Navigator’s list of charities that support immigrants and refugees
Food sovereignty Charities - scroll to the bottom for a list
The Christian Left - If like me, you are a person of faith who stands against “Christian” nationalism, you are not alone! The Christian Left is A ministry for Christian progressives & their allies. Discuss current events, enjoy fellowship, take action.
Vote Common Good - Vote Common Good is inspiring, energizing, and mobilizing people of faith to make the common good their voting criteria.
I hope this helps you feel more supported and less helpless. And remember, you may not be able to help everyone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help anyone, yourself included. Every little bit of kindness matters, so let’s love and support one another and ourselves, in every way we can.
With love and solidarity,
Jeannie
