Processing the Election Aftermath: Self-Care Amidst Grief

By Julia Dunn on November 13, 2016

For a huge number of not only U.S. citizens but individuals around the world, Tuesday’s presidential election was surreal to say the least.

No matter your political identity, it was a complete shock to see an outspoken racist, misogynist and homophobic figure become president-elect (especially when the popular vote declared Hillary Clinton the winner). It almost felt like we had time-traveled to the Jim Crow years again.

Thousands of college students across the country are experiencing feelings of grief, in disbelief as to how the U.S. could have elected someone who does not reflect inclusive values and plans to remove human rights.

Here are 5 ways to care for yourself during this tumultuous time.

 1. Don’t feel bad about crying, no matter where you are.

When I went up to UC Santa Cruz the day after election day, students were sobbing in class and on the buses around campus. Students who come from marginalized communities may feel skyrocketing levels of fear given the oppressive rhetoric that Donald Trump and Mike Pence have used this past week and throughout their campaigning.

If you feel targeted or unsafe, it’s okay to cry — even in class. Universities all over the country are creating last-minute community gathering spaces to provide emotional support for students, so attending one of these events may alleviate some of your stress. Seek out counseling and psychological services and other campus resources as needed.

2. Talk to professors.

Lots of students at UC Santa Cruz and other universities contacted their professors about feeling too unsafe to attend class this past Wednesday. Especially in cases where students had midterms scheduled for the day after election day, students let their instructors know they were not in the head space to focus or succeed on their exams.

Several UCSC instructors cancelled classes of their own, emailing their students that they were in too much grief to teach that day.

If you feel unable to focus in your classes or you need an extension on an assignment that was due recently, by all means, let your instructors know how you’re feeling. It’s perfectly okay to react the way you are reacting to the political climate this week. If you feel you need extensive support academically, seek out your campus’ Disability Resource Center to find out more about accommodations available to you.

3. Organize with your community.

Now is a better time than ever to fight against this oppressive presidential candidate and advocate for the resources that Donald Trump plans on eliminating. For instance if you identify as a woman and care about reproductive rights, you might consider getting involved with Planned Parenthood.

Sign up to volunteer with the American Civil Liberties Union, write letters to the editor and voice your concerns on social media.

Image via Pixabay

Thousands of students across the county have organized powerful protests, peaceful marches and other demonstrations that bring to light the impact this election is having on their communities. Folks have been marching with signs that read “Not My President,” “No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA” and other sentiments that express feeling unrepresented by the new president-elect.

Engaging in a protest can be a healthy and meaningful way to process the election results, and students may consider this expression part of their self-care. Millennials are already creating a revolution, and every individual matters.

4. If you are privileged in a certain way, acknowledge it.

For example, you may identify as LGBTQ, but not as a person of color. Thus, while the election results may have left you speechless and terrified for your rights, know that you cannot understand the exact way that a student of color might be feeling.

This is not meant to compare privilege or deny your right to be anxious, but to emphasize that not everyone belongs to the same marginalized group, which may be processing the election in a different way than you are. Everyone’s experience is valid!

5. Check on your friends and spread love.

As best as you can, try to amp up the love you express this week. Let your undocumented friends know you’re here for them, tell your queer friends that you support them, and show students of color that they matter. Ask your friends and family how you can support them. It’s equally important for you to ask for help if you need it, too.

Image via Pixabay.com

If you are comfortable with the election results, you are contributing to injustice in this country, for millions of individuals have been put at risk with the new presidential election. It’s time for folks with privilege to learn what an “ally” is and means, and time for underrepresented voices to be heard and valued.

Make sure to care of yourself, give yourself and others the space to grieve if you feel endangered, and mobilize the people around you to create local, statewide and nationwide change.

Regardless of political affiliation, we can all agree that our president should be a role model for all U.S. citizens. We have our work cut out for us to set this country back on the right track.

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