Post Election Grief & How to Move Forward

The election last week tried our collective souls.

While I wasn’t surprised at this or the 2016 presidential outcome, I experienced a heaviness of spirit and also felt the heaviness from everyone around me. 

I felt physically ill with dizziness and nausea. My vertigo/vestibular migraines/Meniere’s (whatever my doctors are now calling it) was triggered. 

Many of my clients asked to reschedule their sessions, which helped me to take a rest, as well. 

I used that time to take a bath, to do some somatic practices that calms the nervous system. 

I read. I watched The Great British Bake-off, relishing in the comfort of “Dessert Week,” where the contestants had to make Meringue Nests, Tiramisu, and something called a Spotted Dick. Then, hungry from watching the sugary masterpieces, I nourished my body with delicious food. I took long walks in my neighborhood where the signs of Harris and Walz still stand, very apropos, next to remnants of Halloween decor – spider webs, skeletons and grave markers.

And now, the grief has shifted a bit. 

I still believe in the power of rest. As Tricia Hersey writes, “Rest IS Resistance.” 

I also honor you if you’re still in the grief cycle of shock and/or denial, anger, depression and detachment, and bargaining. 

If you’re ready, I want to get to the next stages, which include starting a dialogue, reaching out, telling stories, exploring options, coming up with a plan, empowerment, security and meaning.

I’m going to start by attending a few social engagements - Saturday night, a friend and client invited me to her milestone birthday celebration! Then, Sunday afternoon, another friend hosted a Friendsgiving gathering, where we all brought a dish to share. On Wednesday, a member of the Financial Freedom for Creatives Club will be in Los Angeles, and some L.A. members will meet in real life. These events will be great ways to start dialogues, reach out and tell stories with old and new friends and the community we want to be in. 

Then, in honor of exploring options, security, and coming up with a plan, my husband and I are getting our finances in place. We’re upping our insurance, updating our estate plans, and talking about the near and not-as-near future. We are asking ourselves: Are we still on track with our retirement investments? What do we want to do about taxes this year? Where do we want to travel in the next year? 

In all of this, I also want to remind myself and you, that a president is not a spiritual leader. If you believe in God, the Universe, or something greater than yourself, lean into your faith. What does your Faith tell you? I’ve been in physically abusive situations, and I’ve seen miracles! I KNOW that God has my back. I don’t need a president, senator, congressperson or any other political “leader” to tell me what to do, who to love, and where I can or cannot go.  

…which leads me to…YOU are your own leader. 

Only you know what’s right for you, your body, your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Do your research. Speak up for yourself. Say ‘no” to what doesn’t align. I know that this is all easier said than done. It’s a bit easier when we are taking care of ourselves and feeling empowered. I have admired my friends who said no to the covid vaccines from the beginning. I went through 3 rounds, with some very unpleasant side effects, before I finally said no more. Even today, although I get stares, I still wear a mask in public indoor places, like the grocery store because I’ve gotten covid 4 times. I wear a mask to protect myself and that mask is my way to say that it’s OK to do what you believe is right for you.

Finally, what I want to write today is that money doesn’t have to be your #1 priority, and yet, I want you to have more money because with more money, the more power we all have. With money, you can make the decisions to leave a job, a relationship, a state or even a country that no longer aligns with your values or your well-being. With money, you can donate it to causes or organizations that align with what you believe in and what you would like to fight for (because there is power in numbers). With money, you can also take more time to rest, which again I want to remind you, IS resistance.

If you’re ready to empower yourself with financial freedom, let me know. I will be hosting my annual free workshop - 6 Steps to Financial Freedom in December. However, if you’re ready now, I’ll put together a workshop on zoom this month. Just subscribe below, and I’ll send you details.

With Love & Gratitude,