Post-Election Emotional Regulation

Let’s be real for a moment: The 2024 Presidential Election came and went in the blink of an eye, with most of us experiencing grief in response to taking in the results of it. Like 2020, this election season was tumultuous with President Biden dropping out and Vice President Kamala Harris taking his place. While Vice President Harris’ nomination was both a relief and inspirational to most voters, some individuals felt uneasiness with the election. Now that we know who won, it’s time to process it.

As a therapist who attended graduate school during Trump’s first term, I know what it’s like to experience unpleasant emotions, especially since they pertain to not knowing what the future holds for the people of this country. While anxiety is common with current events similar to the 2024 election, anger is also a common one.  It’s also not uncommon to experience mixed emotions, such as sadness and relief. Whatever emotion you have is both real and valid.

The purpose of emotions is to communicate to others and ourselves what our bodies are experiencing in the moment. They are not meant to be judged by anyone, including yourself. Acknowledging how you feel may seem foreign to you, especially if you’re someone who learned to suppress your emotions. Does that mean that you can’t start now? Answer: No.

You can learn anytime and anywhere the best way to manage emotions. For some, this may mean not paying attention to any news coverage post-election or engaging in “doom spending” by booking flights and/or making purchases since “nothing matters” anymore. For others, they may find solace through the consumption of satirical content.

No matter how you manage your feelings about the results of the election, it’s crucial to not engage in avoidant behaviors, such as engaging in risky behaviors (i.e., drinking, drug use). Regardless of how you feel, it’s important to remember one thing: Feelings come in waves. To elaborate, they are constantly changing; what you may feel one minute might change the next, and that’s okay. Like time, feelings aren’t stagnant.

 The million-dollar question: What makes you your best self during nonoptimal times? Asking yourself the following questions can be useful when figuring out how to handle your emotions best:

·       What are some of my favorite hobbies?

·       What book/music/TV genre makes me feel good?

·       What activity recharges my energy?

·       Who can I contact to cheer me up?

·       What is my comfort show?

·       Where is my safe space?

·       What is the one thing I look forward to the most?

·       How can I set boundaries with those who drain my energy?

·       What boundaries can I set with myself?

This is not an exhaustive list. By reflecting on these questions, you’ll be able to determine what strategies are the most beneficial to helping you manage your emotions.