You can’t escape it. It’s a presidential election year. As we count down to election day, things just seem to get worse and worse.
It’s the time of year that friends and family become enemies. It’s the time of year your feelings for your coworkers go from annoyance to intolerance.
Tensions are running high and it’s difficult not to get swept up in the vitriol.
Everybody’s got an opinion, including you.
Maybe you’re looking for a little relief from the insanity. Maybe you want to feel something other than disgust for your fellow-man. Maybe you want to do something meaningful with your work and your life during election season.
The tips I’m sharing aren’t for everyone. I expect some of you reading this will disagree with my ideas. That’s okay, my friend. This post just isn’t for you. It IS for those people are looking for a fresh perspective!
Thich Nhat Hanh said, “Someone asked me, ‘Aren’t you worried about the state of the world?’ I allowed myself to breathe and then I said, ‘What is most important is not to allow your anxiety about what happens in the world to fill your heart. If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and you will not be able to help.’
Yes, there is tremendous suffering all over the world, but knowing this need not paralyze us. If we practice mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful sitting, and working in mindfulness, we can try our best to help.”
My goal is to find a way to be at peace with the election year, and I want to share that with you.
Stop complaining
I get it. You can’t stand one candidate or another (or maybe both)! He/she is the worst of the worst! Fine, you’re entitled to your opinion and you have to stop complaining about it!
The more you complain, the more you unhappy you feel. You begin to find unhappiness everywhere you look. It’s not just the election, it’s this thing and that thing and you may begin to feel angry, anxious, and/or depressed!
You’ve got better things to do with your life, don’t you?
Just say no to memes
You see a funny or biting meme in your Facebook feed and you re-post it. It’s too good not to share, right?
What value do you get from re-posting? Is it adding any value to your life, other than making you feel more justified and/or outraged than you already were?
What’s the harm? The harm in posting political memes is essentially the same as complaining, in addition to isolating you from family and friends that you might offend.
Avoid news and social media
Online news and social media can get depressing this time of year. Most of what you read online isn’t changing anyone’s mind, but it just might be changing your mood and attitude.
Give yourself a break! Take at least one day offline per week!
Get gratitude
An attitude of gratitude will take you far in life! Don’t neglect your gratitude during the trials and tribulations of a presidential election.
Nurture your relationships
Instead of avoiding people with opposing views, actively nurture these relationships during election season. It’s okay to avoid political topics- engage them in a meaningful way and find common ground.
Stand for, not against
Instead of putting down the candidate you don’t support, stand up for the candidate you do support.
Discuss the concepts and ideas that align with your purpose and value. Volunteer for the candidate you support. Make a positive impact for the candidate you believe in.
Do good
Get out in your community and do good. Help a neighbor or friend. Volunteer with a local organization. Do something that makes you feel good and adds good to the world!
Take what you like and leave the rest
Take what you can use to better yourself, your life, and world. You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to. Take what you like and leave the rest.
Now, don’t you feel better already? Put these ideas to practice and sign up for my newsletter to get more inspiration straight to your inbox every-other-week.
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