If you are feeling stress along with many other emotions surrounding today’s elections, you are not alone. A lot is on the ballot this year and for those of us who hold marginalized identities and/or care about social justice, it can be a lot to process. No matter the outcomes of this election there will still be much work to do to advance social justice and push us closer to a collectively liberated future. Creating a self-care plan can not only support us this week but in the struggle moving forward.

1. Prepare in advance

Prepare some food, knock out important assignments, and check-in with your support systems in advance. It can be hard to get things done and think clearly when we are experiencing excess amounts of stress. Making things as simple as possible to navigate during challenging times can aid in practicing healthy coping skills and staying grounded.

2. Vote (if you can)

Voting can be a tool for social change and can itself can be a form of self-care. Although many people continue to be disenfranchised in our country, if you are able to vote, make a plan to get to the polls or or early vote/vote by mail where possible. Same day voter registration is not available in North Carolina, but is in many other states. Find out if you’re registered as well as your polling place here.

3. Connect and organize on the local level

The presidential election is certainly in the spotlight this year, but there are many local races that are just as important, and connecting with groups doing advocacy and campaign work closer to home can help us feel much less powerless and make meaningful change in our communities.

“In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed… It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you change that system.” – Ella Baker

4. Check-in on how you are feeling in your body

Your body can tell you a lot about what you need. Take a moment to pause and think about how you are feeling and how the world around you feels. Could you use a nap or a walk? Is it time for a snack or some water? Are you holding tension in your body you could stretch out? Do you need some time for yourself or do you want to call a friend? Taking a moment to pause and check-in on ourselves can give us the opportunity to prioritize what we need at the moment and care for ourselves.

5. Get grounded in nature

We can learn a lot from the world around us about growing, resting, collaborating, and shaping change. We can bring the healing of our natural world into our lives in so many ways. Here are some ideas:

Bring nature into your home with a new house plant!
Tune into a nature TV show and transport yourself to a distant location
Take a walk and take time to notice your surroundings
Take a moment to notice how nature works together and ways in which collaboration may be occurring
Do an activity you love outside
Go stargazing or take a moment to see the night sky in all of its wonder

6. Take a Screen Break

Taking a break from social media and the news can be healing. Take a moment to notice how you are consuming media and where might it be beneficial to take a break or set some limitations?

7. Remember that you’re not alone

Although you may feel isolated, in part because of the pandemic, remember that countless others around you in your town, state, and country, are feeling that same way you are right now, and are working to make this world a better place. Recognizing that your anxiety is collective, rather than yours alone, can help you move toward acceptance of your feelings, which in turn makes space for self-compassion and empathy for others.

8. Engage in community care

Leaning into a community for support or to support others can be a transformative experience. Healing and collective liberation is often cultivated in community with individuals who share similar identities and lived experiences. As the Black feminist poet Lucille Clifton said “Come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.”

Organizations like Black in Boone and Radical Kindred are working to cultivate community space for Black and LGBTQ+ folks here in Boone, NC to find community and support each other. Take a moment to think about communities you’d like to be involved in and if it may be a good time to connect.

What are ways that you’re taking care of yourself and those around you this week?