Finding Strength in Grief

Take a deep breath. Inhale… Exhale… Grief, one of many words that sums up the mess of emotions I’m feeling right now. It’s not just about the outcome of the 2024 United States Presidential Election; it’s about coming to terms with a world that may not be as progressive as it seems. The weight of the past four presidential elections feels different for those in marginalized communities: people of color, queer people, disabled people, women, and femme-presenting individuals. We are taught resilience and tenacity, but the cycles of hope and disappointment that accompany each election season can leave a unique mark on us. These marks are especially prominent when outcomes reveal the continuation or implementation of policies and sentiments that are harmful or invalidating. So, how do we navigate this grief in a way that preserves our well-being and acknowledges our worth in the face of adversity?

Recognize and Validate Your Grief

Grief is a powerful, natural response to loss. It’s about losing hopes, expectations, and maybe even a sense of safety or belonging. We often carry the weight of not only personal expectations but the hopes of entire communities. Election-related grief can be particularly intense, and it’s okay to feel this grief. Validate your feelings, however they come. Grief doesn’t have to look like sadness; it can be anger, numbness, exhaustion, or a mixture of everything. Acknowledge this without judgment—grieving is an essential part of the process.

Find Community in Safe Spaces

Find healing in community—whether it’s through family, friends, social media, or organizations like Read the Room. Safe spaces can offer a reprieve from the political noise and a chance to process our feelings with those who understand our experience. Seek out these spaces. Find those friends, family members, or community groups where you feel you can vent without being dismissed, where you can find empathy without needing to explain the deep layers of your pain. Engage in conversations, share your thoughts, or just listen if that feels best.

Practice Radical Self-Care

Self-care in the face of adversity is often viewed as an act of resistance. In a world that frequently devalues us, taking time to care for ourselves is crucial. Self-care can look different for everyone—maybe it’s rest, perhaps it’s engaging in a favorite hobby, cooking a nourishing meal, reading, taking space for yourself, etc. This is the time to double down on self-care practices. Reflect on what you need most in this moment: Is it to disconnect from news or social media? To surround yourself with positivity and embrace joy? Or is it seeking professional support? Prioritize these acts of care to remind yourself that, above all, your well-being matters.

“For those who wake feeling betrayed by their country…
Inhale, I won’t expedite my grief, Exhale, to alleviate this tension.
Inhale, The world reveals itself, Exhale, for what we’ve known it to be.
Inhale, I’m not foolish for hoping. Exhale, I won’t rush from this grief.”
— Black Liturgies

Allow yourself to process over time. The path forward might be slow, but each step is a testament to our strength.