Let’s be honest, for many, the anxieties that have been fueled by the Trump era politics seem to only continue to grow with each new headline we see in the news. It’s hard to want to stay informed and up to date with the latest in politics – on one hand, for those of us who are of voting age and are eligible to, is it not our responsibility to keep up with all the news in order to make the most informed decisions? But on the other hand, does it not get to feel draining when it often seems to be one negative headline after another?
During the presidential race I would often find myself glued to the news, religiously soaking up every ounce of media updates before every class. It didn’t take long for me to begin to feel drained or hopeless, and after Trump was elected, I felt like my entire world had just caved in. I remember coming into school the day after the election and finding things completely unchanged. I was so angry and scared and couldn’t understand why everyone seemed so unbothered and able to function like normal.
Since then, the news has seen a slew of more disparaging headlines – the end of DACA, the outcry against the #metoo movement and the shaming of its victims, or the condemnation of Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel and his partnership with Nike to name a few. It becomes incredibly taxing to realize what sorts of awful things are currently happening in our country, and even more when you realize that many of the people perpetuating the hatred are your neighbors or people within your community.
As someone who already struggles with mental health issues and severe bouts of depression, I’ve often found myself feeling angry, scared, and more times than not, hopeless. And while it’s ok to feel that way, I think it’s critical to do something with all those emotions instead of just being consumed by them.
I’ve turned a lot more to my friends to discuss current news and how they’ve made me feel. I think it’s important to discuss those feelings because I’ve come to find that I’m not the only one who feels this way about our current political climate. Finding that reassurance and support from those around me has given me back some hope to realize that not everyone out there is hopeless. After the #metoo movement and the resurgence of women speaking out about their sexual assaults and how we’re often made to feel unsafe by men, I found it essential to talk about my experiences, particularly with my male friends. You would be surprised how many of them didn’t realize how damaging actions they don’t think twice about really come to affect the women in their lives.
I’m also far less glued to the media now a days. I limit the amount I consume on websites as well as social media. It’s so easy to fall down rabbit holes and allow yourself to get lost in it all, but that’s what begins to make it feel never-ending. I try to focus on letting more of my time be consumed otherwise – through photography, painting, or just spending time around people who make me feel safe and loved.
Because there is still so much that one may have to carry around, it’s also important to talk to a professional. While not all of us may be able to afford therapy, many campuses provide counseling and support services that are accessible and discreet for whenever you need it.
Lastly, the most important way is to just get involved in making a change. In booming cities like Atlanta, there are always several ways to get your voice heard, whether it be through peaceful protests, marches, or rallies. This is a positive way to meet new people who are interested in fighting for the same things you are and can also help foster a sense of community and give back some of that hope that may have been lost. Most importantly – get out and vote if you can! Or volunteer to help get people registered to vote. As much good as spreading the word and getting people informed about all of the injustices happening, the most impactful way to make a change is by voting. While there are several websites out there that make it quick and easy to get informed and registered, www.rockthevote.org/chime is one of my favorites and is super easy to use.
Above all else, stay safe, be kind, and make sure you’re prioritizing your mental health during these trying times.