A friend of mine recently compared the current political climate with an abusive relationship, and the way I feel about the upcoming midterms every time there’s a bit of good news really drives that home. Every time I feel a little hope, it’s immediately followed by a wave of anxiety. I think that’s also exacerbated by the fact that the first election I could vote in was the 2004 Presidential. How do you fight the dread and despair when you feel powerless, at least until election day?
This makes sense, because Trump is an abuser.
I fight against the dread and despair by putting pressure on my senators and members of congress to stand up to Trump and his terrible policies, I work to affect change where I’m able (in my community, when I’m out in the world and see people being Trumpy, etc.), and – this is really important – I practice self-care by logging out when it’s all too much.
It doesn’t mean that you don’t care when you unplug and take time for yourself to do things you enjoy. It just means that you’re caring for yourself, so you’re ready to jump into the fight when you’re needed.
But your friend is 100% on the money about Trump. He is an abusive person, and he is making the entire country feel like we are trapped in a home with our abuser. It’s terrible, and the first step to ending his reign of terror is to vote in Democrats this November, so they can take back the House and maybe the Senate, and put some meaningful checks on his authoritarian abuses of power.