Well, it’s here. Election week. Normally, I try to write posts that are applicable no matter where you live in the world, so this seems very egocentric. But I think it’s safe to assume that more than just people from the USA are taking an interest in this one. And we certainly aren’t the only ones who are anxious this election week. So, I’ve got 5 kindness tips to help you through it.
Tensions are running high. No, this is not just conjecture. I can personally attest to this as more than one of the organizations I work with are requiring special meetings and communication to deal with our students’, trainees’, and employees’ anxiety around this election. Why now?
Chalk it up to any number of reasons: the media, the candidates–the list is endless. But I think it boils down to fear of the unknown. Uncertainty is difficult to live with. And that’s not limited to the actual results. No matter who gets in, we will all be thinking: what’s next?
At best, fear and uncertainty make us uneasy. But for a lot of people, they conjure feelings of anxiety. We can be short tempered, overly critical, and defensive. That’s why kindness, towards yourself and others, is so important–especially this week.
Great! If you’re one of the lucky ones who isn’t feeling the pressure, savor it. I hope there are plenty of you out there. Because those who aren’t in your headspace need kindness from you now more than ever.
Wherever you are on the spectrum: nerves frayed or super relaxed, here are some tips to make this week better for everyone.
It will probably be hard to escape the election in conversations this week. But even if your mind is made up, it’s never too late to listen and learn something new. Listening isn’t easy, especially when opinions differ. So, for a brush up on good listening skills, check out this post.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey
Emotions are running high. And, when I’m emotionally supercharged, I tend to overreact to or misconstrue things I encounter. If someone says or does something that seems insensitive or even malicious, let’s try to give them the benefit of the doubt. Afterall, there is no way we can know everything about everyone’s situation and the source of their beliefs.
“There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” – Mary Lou Kownacki
This tip goes hand in hand with the preceding one. If we take a moment to pause before we react, we create space for more understanding and consideration. Even if we disagree with someone, a pause can give us the time to react in a more composed manner. You’re more likely to have a productive conversation if you’re both listening actively and speaking respectfully to each other.
You may not have time for a Julie day this week, but you can carve out some moments for restorative self-care. Making time to be kind to yourself will increase the likelihood that you will be able to respond to others more kindly. A quiet 5 minutes alone can make a big difference in your day. Turn off your phone, walk away from your computer, and do something that makes you happy.
No one likes a sore loser–or an overzealous winner. No matter what the outcome, be respectful of those around you. If you’re having difficulty empathizing with the other party, just put yourself in their shoes. How would you want people to react to you if things turned out differently?
