Post Election Support – Suggestions and Stories
I want to write some thoughts about how to support yourself and your children today — as emotions run high, as the media frenzy now feeds on “what if” stories, and we all recover from the outcome of the election.
We can make choices to support our own well-being, as well as the well-being of our children, as we continue to move toward balance and healing.
Here are some of our best suggestions, as well as stories that can help.
What you can do today:
Stay out of the media frenzy as much as you can. Even just for today.
Focus on what’s really in front of you. Drink your tea. Get outside. Stand on the earth. (Bare feet are best.) Pet the dog. Look into the eyes of the person in front of you. Hug and kiss your children.
Feel. Feel the emotions in your body and your feet on the ground. Give yourself lots of room to feel.
Move your body. Walk. Run. Dance. Shake.
Remind yourself of your community, of all the folks that love and care for you, and that you love and care for. Let folks know with hugs and messages. Imagine that circle expanding.
Know that growth comes out of pain and hardship. Yes, there will be work ahead, but we are all up for it. We will grow stronger and better at caring for each other.
If you can, feed yourself with good things. Good foods. Poetry. Stories. You can choose what you surround yourself in. It’s not irresponsible to step into something different today, particularly when there’s nothing you can do to change the current outcome.
What you can do for your children today:
Help them be grounded. Go out into nature. Get bare footed. Feel the grass. Feel the rain or sun on your face. And move: dance, jump, run, shake. Baths are good too.
Give them room to be messy. Children are sensitive, and they are going to feel the pervasive anxiety. Be extra kind and spacious.
Feed them with good things. Good food. Good stories.
Tell them that they are cared for and safe. That the world is full of good people caring for and protecting each other. Point out all the folks that love them, the circle of friends and family that care.
If they are worried about what might happen under the leadership of a particular elected offical, tell them that there’s an entire democratic system in this country that makes it hard for a single individual to do anything dramatic or crazy. And there are a lot of good people out there working toward healing.
Lastly, know there are many many people - us included - that will continue to work tirelessly for healing, to ensure all are welcome and cared for.
We are all waking up to a new time of growth, and we are up for the task.
Below our some of our best stories that we think will help in these post-election days.
NOTE:
These stories have no Sparkle advertisement – only a short copyright tag at the end. They are intended as a gift to support families who may find it useful.
Feel free to download and share these stories as often as you’d like. We give permission for them to be shared freely.
About the Author
Lisabeth Sewell
Lisabeth Sewell has worn many hats at Sparkle over the years, from Sparkle Kitchen Blogger to Editorial Director to Doer of All Odd Jobs. Her primary role is as CEO.
