What Now?

“Mass propaganda discovered that its audience was ready at all times to believe the worst, no matter how absurd, and did not particularly object to being deceived because it held every statement to be a lie anyhow.”
― Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism

Some suggestions and thoughts during this rough moment:

1. 10 Things to do if Trump Wins

2. Go outside. It’s sunny and glorious here in New England today. The clouds, the sky, and the sun aren’t going anywhere.

3. Rest. Breathe. Nap.

4. Dose the news. Do not allow in more than you are able.

5. Be with your people. In person. Realize that you are far from alone in this. There are (at least) 66 million other people who are also shaken to the core today. They are your country, your home. Be kind to them and to yourselves.

6. Spend time with your dog or cat.

7. Do not push against your feelings or try to change them. Let other people feel their feels as well, and if it’s too much, gently tell them you are in self-protection mode and can hear more later, but not now.

8. Tune into your intuition. Let it tell you what to do right now, and then in the next moment. You don’t need to decide any more than that right now.

9. Do the best you can to get through work and life while realizing that you’re not going to be your best self for a while. It’s ok.

We are each other’s best resources. Take care of yourself and those around you, and if possible, seek out words that are true, kind, and comforting. In the face of the opposite, we’ll need to maintain our trust and belief that language can still bring about good.