Uncomfortably anxious re: American election

Is anyone feeling exceptionally anxious after our elections? It's not panic attack level. More like a dread of the inevitable. Fear. Hopelessness. And this swirling anxiety in my heart and gut. I've been on this planet a long time and I've seen a lot of elections and presidents and this guy is the scariest I've ever seen. I so worry about my grandchildren to come bc of decisions coming up during his administration.

I think I am feeling more anxious than others, observing my friends who seem to be able let it go and move on. I am kind of stuck in one of cycles where I am reading way too many articles--not in OCD way or at least I don't think so. I feel worse not better after reading.

I won't sit around and complain and do nothing. I am taking more control by finding an opportunity to volunteer towards change.

But I'm afraid Trump will lose control (which has been known to happen) by insulting some important head of state or he'll foul up some important negotiation or get the nuke war going again like when I was a kid. I want to feel strongly enough so I'm motivated to action. But this floating anxiety is not going away.

I don't mean to argue politically. Over half of our voters are did not want Trump in office, there must be a lot of us here. If you are feeling emotional distress as a result of our election, how are you handling it?

I must confess that my 60 year old high school friend and I threw a few eggs at a Trump sign. It felt pr great even though it is "wrong." It felt "right," npi

Yeah, my anxiety has worsened. On election night as I saw the results start coming in, I cried. I've cried at some of the news stories I've read recently. I'm not a big crier either, it takes a lot to make me cry. It helped me to try to avoid reading articles or watch videos that I know will possibly trigger me more. I have the same fears you do. Like you mentioned it may be helpful to volunteer time to a cause you support. I'm hoping to do that, in hopes that I can better myself and others.

To All

Although a person I know is not moving to Canada (he said he would!) following the elections, I did notice some changes in people's lives- a same sex couple getting married a year earlier than planned. A young woman came out of the closet as a lesbian to her father, relationship between the two deteriorating as the two are of opposite political conviction (father: Trump) and she is planning on moving out of their shared apartment. Not too long ago, a woman here on the forum, from the UK, being of the opposite position from her husband, about the UK departing from the European Union, had some trouble in her marriage, over the opposite political conviction.

It is probably a good idea to decide to NOT talk about politics- when on opposite ends of the spectrum, with people you want to remain close to- simply avoid politics.

atina

Yes, absolutely. I was about to post the exact same thing. I don't know how anyone conscious cannot feel anxious (to say the least). I remember when 9/11 happened (I was in high school), and how surreal that felt. This (election result) and thinking about the future for us is the same level of dread for me (if not worse). Being completely powerless about what happens next to you and your country... I can't comprehend how that isn't upsetting to everyone. I'm just so grateful I don't have kids. I imagine this level of anxiety and fear is what a lot of other countries have felt (and feel) all the time. Never knowing what's going to happen... I have no idea how to cope with this while still being realistic...