Managing Post Election Financial Anxiety
This unprecedented election backlash, low voter turnout, and the many people who did turn out- voting against their best interests (of working class) and for politicians who embody racism, misogyny, transphobia and ableism, has been traumatic for many of us to say the least. It has caused a wave of anger, fear, pain, numbing out, and extreme distress for many with marginalized identities. We collectively knew this may happen and yet the impact has been intensely profound.
Hearing from a lot of other therapists this last week and a half that many if not most of people in therapy are having to process what this election really means for each of us and our communities. There are no easy answers and there is a lot of news happening daily that sends the ripple effect of confusion, disorientation and distress out – especially for those paying attention and directly impacted. This is happening by design.
Many small business owners have been stressed since the pandemic began, some of us had to take out PPP loans, others seemed to be overwhelmed with business due to the shifting of economic patterns toward survival, health and well-being. Not to mention the shift of financial energy being sucked out of our bank accounts by the greedflation of groceries and housing. Corporations exponentially expanding their profits and their reach while limiting their employees and shifting to automation; meanwhile investors and shareholders getting the largest piece of the pie, and maybe more than ever.
If you’re anxious about what this election could mean for our small businesses, know that you’re not alone because there are real threats out there that could make life a lot harder for working class and minoritized people and capitalists a lot richer. If you’re part of communities that are struggling already under Trump’s tax plan that is still ongoing, know that these policies really do affect us all, and disproportionately at that.
There is no cure for this financial anxiety you may be feeling. If referrals and net income is already down, it makes sense you may feel even more doom about the future. We have limited control over the government (even though the conservative president elect has now less than 50% of the majority and no longer has the popular vote with counting ongoing) we must collectively do work to reform our systemic problems, and meanwhile we must support one another.
The main thing I can offer to support managing financial anxiety right now is to encourage you to get really clear on your offerings in your business and to forge new and cultivate old connections. Join communities, network weekly, email and connect with adjacent or fellow professionals, make sure you have people around you who believe in you. We cannot do this alone and we cannot face the threats ahead without our people who really do have our backs. We need to get strategic, creative, innovative and connected. These are our superpowers.
Join a group that already exists, donate to legal, community or change focused causes if you have the funds. Spend your time if you can’t spend your money, on showing up for policy change and community support.
We need each other now more than ever.
Channel your anxiety- this means have ways to find self-compassion to understand your body is trying to protect you right now. You’ve detected a threat accurately and your body is readying you to do something active. See if you can move your body around, listen closely to your nervous system, befriend what’s happening internally so that you can start to respond externally in ways that are preserving of our human rights, connection and mental health.
Know that we need Mother Earth more than she needs us, so make sure to spend time with her and keep her in mind. She can help us through this with her wisdom and her healing energy. While massive corporations along with colonization and capitalism may be the main driving forces of harm to our planet, know that we can stay in touch and instead of numbing out or forgetting she needs our support- we can choose to stay connected. And make fiscal decisions that divert funds away from harm and toward initiatives that support and protect her.
Titrate your experience as much as possible! Anxiety is a difficult place to stay in chronically, it’s not good for our health. And while we may have limited control over what we’re exposed to that sends us right there, make sure to choose rest, people who feel like home, joy, pleasure, fun, adventure and healthy distraction along the way. Taking a media break for a prolonged period of time can also be incredibly helpful.
Turn to wise elders and leaders who can speak to you in ways it might hard to speak to yourself. Sometimes just knowing other people are thinking about how to solve these problems can make a huge difference. Knowing you aren’t the only one feeling the immense weight of rage, terror, grief or pain is so important so we can manage these collective and individual feelings together
I’ll be sending out some resources in the upcoming month to support with taking action, seeking wisdom, managing distress and more.
And last but not least… if you need a support group, therapist, coach or resources in your area, please do reach out as I can connect you with ideas or referrals if you need! We will continue to persevere. And we will do it together.
Sending my love, protection and support to you and yours.