The idea of simply calling a restaurant to order takeout, periodically calling the pharmacy to refill a prescription, or spontaneously calling a friend or relative is daunting, sometimes unimaginable. Like millions of people, I live with unpredictable but almost constant social and generalized anxiety, which makes most everyday tasks seem insurmountable. Paradoxically, I live and breathe the chaos and uncertainties of politics. I spend my days studying rhetoric and the art of decision-making, absorbing news articles, congressional hearings, and polling data while remaining utterly terrified of the interactions that take place during the political process.
However, the boredom of quarantine coupled with the imminent 2020 election evoked my desire to combat some of my fears in a productive way. While juggling my first weeks of college from my bedroom, I took a leap of faith and applied for a field internship position for my local congresswoman’s re-election campaign. Though nothing about the work has been easy, I am finding that campaign work has been an extremely effective way of combatting my social anxiety, particularly my overwhelming fear of speaking on the phone. Campaign work is often perceived as a combination of “terrifying” and “awkward,” and it can be, but if I have learned anything during my internship (other than how to dispel the sentiment that my candidate is a “raging socialist” or how to navigate confusing voter database platforms), it’s that the political process can be engaging and enjoyable for people with social anxiety, as long as you equip yourself with the correct tools.
The upcoming election is incredibly consequential, and the fate of it rests in the choices of young people, especially young women. Because jumping into campaign initiatives can be daunting for all young people, not just those of us with social anxiety, I’ve compiled some tips for getting started:
- Take advantage of virtual opportunities
-
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way all institutions function. Fortunately though, campaign work has largely shifted to a virtual format, one that is accessible to more people. Take advantage of these virtual text and phone banks! Online events mean that you do not need to worry about transportation or face-to-face interactions. Though it is the goal of campaign staffers to simulate the busy, personable environment of a campaign office, Zoom allows you to customize your experience. If you feel most comfortable keeping your camera off, communicating through the chat instead of speaking out loud, or leaving your computer periodically for breaks, that is okay! Online campaign events can be easily tailored to your needs without detracting from your contributions.
- Find a supportive and collaborative team
-
This isn’t difficult to do, as campaign interns and staff are some of the most energetic and uplifting people out there. Most virtual events follow a similar structure: a detailed introduction with step-by-step instructions, independent time for the campaign task, and a debrief about the event. During the event, there are several people available to answer questions or address any technical difficulties. Before you start volunteering for a campaign, it may be helpful to connect with a team member so you know what to expect.
- Prepare tools to give yourself more certainty
-
The uncertainty that accompanies phone banking can be daunting; in fact it can be the reason we avoid campaign-related activities altogether. Despite the fact that phone banking gets much easier with experience, some nervousness is ever-present. One of my most effective strategies is preparing resources that I can reference as I work. For example, while campaigns provide detailed, procedural “scripts” for talking to voters, I often found myself stumbling over my words or puzzled when a voter’s words veered me off of my script. I decided to make my own script, one that gives me more colloquial, customized phrases to respond to each situation.
Before I begin a shift, I mentally prepare by placing myself in the shoes of the voters that I am about to contact. I assure myself that their reactions to my statements or questions are unequivocally not my fault. If a voter doesn’t answer the phone, it’s not my fault. The voter may simply press “decline” when they receive a call from an unknown number. When a voter swiftly hangs up after I say that I am with a political campaign, it’s not my fault. They may have already voted, or they may simply be too busy to deal with any call that isn’t an emergency. When a voter is decidedly and openly at the other side of the political aisle, it’s not my fault. No phone conversation, regardless of rhetorical artfulness, is going to sway a staunch Republican to vote for my generally progressive candidate. None of this is my fault.
- Take breaks often and unplug
-
Zoom fatigue is a real thing and between online classes, several extracurriculars, and campaign work, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. Taking breaks and getting away from the screen, as cliche as it sounds, it the key to productive, meaningful work. While social media is swamped with reminders that we are three weeks away from the most important election of our lifetime and that all of us need to be all actively participating, you can’t help save democracy on two hours of sleep after twelve consecutive hours on your laptop.
With less than three weeks until Election Day, there are endless amounts of worries, but also endless amounts of ways to get involved. Whether you want to replace all of the time that you would usually spend nervously perusing Twitter or you simply want a low-commitment way to dip your toes into the inner workings of campaigns, there is a space for you where your work and contributions will be valued and celebrated. Campaigns are about people just as much as they are about platforms, votes, and candidates. And even though my social anxiety adds obstacles to campaign work, the feeling of completing a good call and the camaraderie that the work brings makes it all so, so worth it. Want to get involved? Though this is not an exhaustive list, you can get started here or go to the individual campaign websites: https://www.mobilize.us/ https://swingleft.org/ https://www.hrc.org/events