Election Week Self Care (That Works)
It’s hard not to trip over a list of self care tips anywhere you go this week, right? Everyone, literally everyone, I follow online is sharing what they are doing to ease tension and stay centered. Yay! I mean, I’m not one to complain about healthy rhythms of self care. But I would be lying if I said it wasn’t starting to feel redundant. They’re all going to say: drink water, go for a walk in nature, create something, call a friend, pet a dog, pamper yourself, get lots of rest, etc.
Look, I’m not saying that’s bad advice. Really. Maybe a hot bath will ease your soul. Or splitting some ice cream with your significant other will release some Election Day tension. But our coaching principles remind us to stay away from overarching advice because “what works for others does not necessarily mean it will work or be the best option for you.”
Instead, we have to do some deeper digging and look to our own intuition for the best next step.
Self reflection questions could be, “What do I really need right now? What are the underlying factors beneath my emotions? How can I release some of these feelings in a healthy way? What has worked in the past that I may want to try again? What am I doing that may be negatively affecting me? What do I want more of? What could I benefit with less of? Am I doing this because it feels good or because I’m using it as an escape/crutch?”
We have all had a year of high stress, though it’s surfaced in many different ways for each of us. This means our unique emotions surrounding the election are deeply rooted in larger anxieties. Therefore, caring for our soul this week* means addressing the specific areas causing us stress.
Real self care happens when we can find the right nugget of truth to act as a balm for our soul’s hurt and uncertainty.
One way to get to the root is by asking “What’s the fear?” and then getting real about “But what’s also the truth?” From there, you can find a self care solution that works for you.
I’ll give you some real life example from myself (but again, you have to do this work on your own to get the best results.)
What’s the Fear?: The world as I know it is unraveling and I was mistaken that there’s any good or beauty left.
What’s the Truth?: For all the selfishness and brokenness we see, there is still a current of goodness, love and truth. Even when it all seems dark, we have the ability to be good, to create beauty, to turn on the Light.
What’s a Care Solution? To work through my fears through painting and art. It’ll remind me of my own role in creating a more beautiful, peaceful world. And it’ll remind me there’s a bigger picture than I can see from where I’m sitting.
What’s the Fear?: I’ll never be able to reconcile the differences between myself and the people I love who disagree with me. It feels like I don’t even know them anymore.
What’s the Truth?: NEVER is a red flag signaling limiting beliefs. I am capable of sifting between political propaganda that dehumanizes and what I know to be true about people in my life. And, if I feel like I do not recognize someone I love anymore, I am responsible for doing the relational work to figure out if that’s true or a result of miscommunication. Only then can I proceed with knowing how to handle the relationship vs my convictions.
What’s a Care Solution?: Reaching out to to talk with these people doesn’t feel healthy to me at this moment. So instead, I’ve started writing my Christmas cards. As I read through the list of names and write letters of love and warm wishes, it reminds me of our soul connections and the beauty of relationships. It also reminds me how these very people have shaped who I am, so having a “I’m right, you’re wrong” mindset is unhelpful and untruthful.
What’s the Fear?: I feel powerless and I don’t like it.
What’s the Truth?: Well, yeah. Once my ballot is cast, it’s just a lot of waiting. But I am powerful, capable, and in control of many facets of my life.
What’s the Care Solution?: Moving my body is such a good way of remind me of my strength and abilities. My body reconnects with my soul. So I’m going to walk or do one youtube yoga video when I feel powerless.
So what might self care look like for you this week?
If you’re having trouble finding a place to start, you can search how your soul and body are feeling with each dimension of wellness. Ask yourself: How do I feel physically? What do I need for my physical wellness this week? How do I feel emotionally? How can I tend to my emotional health this week? .And so on and so forth with: Intellectual, Social, Spiritual, Environmental, & Occupational wellness.
If you’re still not sure, I’m always here to talk & brainstorm with you! There are still 9 Discovery Calls left for the month of November. We can walk through what fears arise with the political turmoil of our nation and what small action steps you can take to walk forward with an authentic sense of assurance and peace.
Keep Cultivating,
Cecelia
*Throughout this blog I referred to “this Election week” or “this week.” We know with additional mail-in ballots this year, the chances of having a final answer on Election night is slim (and not totally unusual as this has happened several times in the last election cycles). Nor are we sure that once we have the results it will be a smooth transition to Inauguration Day. Plus, we are still dealing with rising numbers in Covid-19 cases in the US. All of that being said, this is a lot to handle. And it’s important to revisit these Self Care Questions frequently over the next couple months to ensure we are showing up for ourself and our health.
** Self care is good and important, there’s no denying it. But caring for our mental and emotional health is sometimes more complex than we alone can handle. There’s absolutely no shame in asking for help. Counseling and therapy are great options for each of us! And there are several counseling services with virtual help components if you are staying #healthyathome that I’d encourage you to check out. Additionally, if you are struggling with serious depression and anxiety that are leading to thoughts of suicide, help is available. Please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline to talk with someone: 800-273-8255. We need you, every part of you, and we want you here with us.
