ELECTION ANXIETY & YOU

“Individualism is what makes cooperation worth living.”
-Henry Ford

As of this writing, (12:51 PM CT) most of America has been glued to their TV sets, phones, computers and/or any other device which will inform them updates about the presidential election. Even those that haven’t have at least been holding their breath and on their toes while going about other daily tasks.

And theses emotions are normal as there is no doubt, a lot at stake. But as we all grapple with what I’ve termed “election anxiety,” we should remember that the fate of individual happiness does not, nor should it, begin and end with one person no matter who wins.

No matter what side you’re on, no matter which political party you affiliate with, one thing is imperative to remember: we must look out after ourselves first in order to engage in greater purposes. A result of an election, while no doubt crucial and pivotal to this country, must not become a roadblock in our own journeys to be at peace.

As a proud U.S. citizen, I did my part by voting. Subsequently, however, I’ve tried to tell myself that no matter what happens, I’ll continue to strive for the best regarding my personal goals and ambitions.

Happiness begins and ends with our own state of mind. Yes, there will be people along the way who will come into our lives and disrupt the flow, making things more difficult than before. But our minds will remain ours. Our outlook will remain ours. All we need to do is periodically remind ourselves of that.

So what can be done immediately at this very moment?

Personally, I’ve been welcoming and in many cases even creating, periodic distractions that will help me mentally get away from chaos. If I check my phone, I try to subsequently either write or read something that is as far away from the election as possible. I get on Twitter and read my friends’ poetry or fictional pieces and comment on them.

All in all, yes, I’m as eager to know the outcome as everyone else but I’m doing my best not to make it an obsession because I know that my future as a writer, publisher, artist, etc. does not directly depend on the president of the United States. It depends on my drive and zeal and my own actions. And the same philosophy applies to everyone unless their occupation specifically dictates otherwise.

Have you been stressing out over the election? Do you have election anxiety? If so, what steps do you take to combat it? If not, what do you personally do to prevent it? Do you agree that individual journeys are determined by our own actions and thoughts? Why or why not? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below on our secure servers.

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