3 ways to manage work and the U.S. elections
Take good care of yourselves, dear readers.
Today's post is for Americans and anyone else closely following the U.S. elections. We're heading into an anxiety-filled week, with many of us worried about what another four years of Trump could mean for our country and the world—or what his defeat might mean for his base.
It’s terrifying, frankly.
Over the next few days, we might find ourselves draining more of our mental and emotional reserves than usual, especially as results unfold on Tuesday and Wednesday.
So, dear readers, I’m here with a gentle reminder: it’s okay to acknowledge the reality and lighten your workload accordingly. Here are three suggestions to help you show yourself and others a little more grace and compassion this week.
1. Set light goals or even no goals.
If you normally use a “good, better, best” framework for your goals, know that this probably isn’t the week you’ll be striving for “best.” Give yourself permission to plan for “good” and to ease up on expectations. There’s a lot happening, and conserving your energy is important. By setting lighter goals, you’ll be more likely to get through what you need to do without feeling overly pressured.
It is also perfectly acceptable to take a week off from goal setting. Sometimes, simply prioritizing your well-being is the most important accomplishment of all.
2. Acknowledge that your students are feeling the stress, too.
Remember that your students are also living through this moment. If it feels appropriate and humane, consider giving them part or all of a class off. This could be a welcome gesture that recognizes their emotional and mental state. If you’ve inadvertently scheduled a test, paper, or project deadline for this week, you might want to extend those deadlines.
Your understanding could make a big difference to someone feeling overwhelmed.
3. Build in extra time for rest and community care.
Now is an excellent time to plan intentional breaks for rest, connection, and self-care. When Trump was first elected, I happened to be at a conference for LGBTQIA folks and allies. It was a somber day for us, but it was also beneficial to discuss how we were feeling in community with one another.
If you can, give yourself a buffer of time to step away from work, take a walk, or meet a friend for coffee. Maybe you need to keep the news off and focus on what grounds you, or maybe you want to engage in discussions with loved ones. Checking in on each other—whether it’s colleagues, friends, or family—can help reduce anxiety and create moments of comfort.
In sum
Take care of yourselves this week. We’re all in this together, and it’s perfectly fine to be a bit more gentle with yourself and your workload.
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I appreciate your thoughtful message and hope that all Americans living abroad will be kind to each other, despite having different political views. We are trying to do the same here in the US. Take good care.