Your Anxiety is a Useful Emotion

For many, the results of the 2024 election are a source of great anxiety and uncertainty. I wish I could tell you that I knew without a shadow of a doubt that these next four years would pass by without anything scary happening. But I can’t.

What I can tell you is that your anxiety is a valid and natural response to these circumstances. If you implement healthy coping strategies, you can reduce feeling overwhelmed by your anxiety. At its best, anxiety is a useful feeling that lets us know there is danger on the horizon, and we have time to respond to it. At its worst, anxiety can overwhelm us, and that can lead to a freeze response, stopping us from taking action when it’s time to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

I like to divide anxiety and what I can do about it into three stages. This is especially helpful if you have limited funds and resources. Let’s go through each stage so you can start working with your anxiety rather than feeling like you’re drowning in it.

Stage One: 

During stage one, the danger isn’t happening yet. This means you have time to plan and organize. Use this time to identify your fears. This is also the time to focus on any preparation tasks that won’t leave you overextended if the danger never happens.

Stage Two:

At stage two, the danger might become a reality. This might look like laws being passed that roll back people's rights and protections. This is the time to start setting aside funds and consider taking actions that might be more costly or irreversible.

Stage Three:

This third stage is the tipping point. The danger is imminent. The building blocks of danger are in place, and the implementation of harmful laws and policies is just around the corner. This is the time to put those plans from stages one and two into action.

This stage will look different for everyone. Maybe you plan to see an attorney to draw up legal documents, or you are moving out of the country or to a blue state. Whatever your plan is, this is the time to act on it.

Remember, your anxiety exists to motivate you to take action when you see danger on the horizon.

None of us know what these coming months will hold. However, we will navigate these uncertain times together. Use your anxiety to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Hold fast to your community, and most importantly, stay safe.

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